1. Ignorance of Religious Matters

As time passes and the influence of the Prophet's message grows lesser, knowledge fades out and ignorance proliferates. The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: "Whosoever amongst you survives after I am gone, will see much diffierence...»4 , He is also reported to have said: "Allah does not take away the knowledge by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the scholars until when none of scholars remains; people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who, when consulted, will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray." Bid' ahs can only be opposed by scholars. When scholars and knowledge diminish, bid'ahs subsequently proliferate.