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"that is not from it" That is, any opinion or view that is not found in the Quran or sunnah or that is not derived from the Quran and sunnah, either directly or indirectly, has no place in Islam. "shall have it rejected." If the introduced action was supposedly an act of worship, it will not be accepted by Allah. The person will not be rewarded for it and the deed will be rejected. If the action was related to worldly matters or worldly transactions, then that action is null and void as it goes against the principles of the Shareeah. Al-Haitami points out that the act will be rejected if it has not been sanctioned in totality by the shareeah or if it is missing an essential characteristic that the shareeah requires.2 For example, worshipping Allah by intentionally standing in the sun as a means for reward is not sanctioned by the shareeah. Hence, it is a rejected act. Similarly, intentionally performing the salaat (ritual prayer) without being in a state of ablution is also rejected because it is missing an essential component that the shareeah requires. "Whoever does an act that is not in accord with our matter will have it rejected." Al-Nawawi points out the very important difference between this narration of the hadith and the previous narration. A person could be following a deed that is not found in the Quran and sunnah. However, he may argue that he was not the one who invented it and he is just following what others have done. In that case, he may claim, this hadith does not apply to him and his deed, even if it is wrong, may still be accepted by Allah. This second narration does not leave any room for such an argument. This narration makes it clear that if anyone follows any act that is not in accord with the way of the Prophet 1 Al-Shaukaani, Nail, vol. 2, p. 93. 2 Al-Haitami, Fath, pp. 106-107. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi (peace be upon him), it will be rejected regardless of whether that person himself or somebody else introduced that act. 1 Islam is Following and Not Innovating The essential message of this hadith is that Islam is about following and not innovating. Islam is following what Allah has stated in the Quran and what the Prophet (peace be upon him) has taught. It is not inventing new ways of worship and new customs or practices that have no justification in the Quran and sunnah. Hence, every deed, statement or practice must be judged in the light of the Quran and sunnah. If it is acceptable or correct according to these two standards, then one may follow it. If it is not correct according to these standards, then it is to be rejected. There are many paths that one could follow. But there is only one straight path. There is only one true Islam. That is the Islam of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions. Any other way or path must be rejected. Allah has stated in the Quran, J. ,,,. J ,., 0 i..t 7 ,., / ,,,. if "' Hadith #5: "Whoever Introduces ... " Each type shall be discussed separately below. However, first, the general principle regarding these two types of acts is the following: If an act is supposedly an act of worship, then there must be direct and clear evidence for it. In this case, the burden of proof is to show that the act is sanctioned by the shareeah. If there is no such clear proof, the act is not considered proper or acceptable. On the other hand, with respect to worldly dealings, an act is considered legal and valid as long as there is no specific violation of any principle of the shareeah. Hence, here one does not have to show that an act is specifically sanctioned. One needs only show that an act does not violate any specific prohibition of the shareeah. Rites of Worship Any act of worship that is not consistent with the Shareeah is rejected and has no place in Islam. This would include, for examples, those people who listen to songs and music or dance and claim that they are getting closer to Allah by such practices. In reality, these people are only getting closer to Satan. Such deeds are rejected by Allah. These innovations have not been sanctioned by Allah. Therefore, it must originate with some false partner to Allah's authority. Allah says in the Quran, (. B ࣐ Ӂ;Jj :T ȁ 014 r-J Ҹ;uT I ҷ i࠷p ij•4=p ü rt "Or have they partners with Allah who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed? Had it not been for a decisive Word [already gone forth], the matter would have been judged between them. And, verily, for the wrongdoers there is a painful punishment" (al-Shoora 21). One time the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw a man standing in the sun.