en_know_prophet

80
Innovation in religion.
his rights, mainly in an attempt to show that they love him. It is indeed correct
that Prophet Muhammad () deserves certain rights, but to innovate practices
that go against his very teachings under the guise of loving and respecting
him is Bid’ah 80 and will only deviate believers from his straight path. The
Prophet () said: “Beware of newly invented matters (in religion) for every
invented matter (in religion] is a cursed innovation which leads astray. 81 ”
81
Part of a Hadith narrated by
Al-Irbaadh ibn Saariyah in the
book of Abu Dawood.
Many Muslims have gone astray in their attempts to foster and kindle their
love for their Prophet (). In what follows, a summary of the most important
areas of innovations is given:
Bid’ah in deifying him:
One such innovation that Muslims must avoid is to deify Muhammad ().
This is how Christians went astray with their belief in Jesus. After his death
they, i.e., Christians, began to worship him as their god and left Tawheed that
he brought them. Allaah says about them: “They have certainly disbelieved
who say that Allaah is Christ, the son of Mary. Say, ‘Then who could prevent
Allaah at all if He had intended to destroy Christ, the son of Mary, or his
mother or everyone on the earth’” [5:17] Likewise, deifying Prophet Muhammad
() would throw a person into disbelief. Muhammad () was a servant
and a worshipper of Allaah. He was a Prophet and a Messenger. Allaah says:
“Muhammad is not but a messenger.” [3:144] Prophet Muhammad () said:
“Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in their
praise of the son of Mary. Indeed I am but a servant of Allaah. So say, ‘The
servant of Allaah and His Messenger. 82 ’”
82
Narrated by Umar ibn
Al-Khattaab in the book of
Al-Bukhari.
We cannot claim that Muhammad () could tell the future, or could bring
harm or benefit, or even guided anyone out of his own accord and will. These
are things that only Allaah knows and has the power to do. Muhammad ()
only knew what knowledge Allaah revealed to him and he did not have the
ability to decree anything. Allaah says: “Say, “I do not know if what you are
promised is near or if my Lord will grant for it a [long] period.” [He is] Knower
of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to
anyone.” [72:25-6]
In keeping away from deifying the Prophet we must also accept his death. He