Question:
The questioner asks: Are there levels and degrees to bid’ah (religious innovations), and when should the perpetrator of an innovation be boycotted?
Answer:
Bid’ah is whatever is introduced into the religion that is not a part of it; this is the defining criterion of innovation.
(The Prophet ﷺ said:) “Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not part of it, it is rejected.”
And he ﷺ said: “Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is bidah (an innovation), and every bid’ah (innovation) is a misguidance.”
And he ﷺ said: “Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our matter, it is rejected.”
Bid’ah vary:
- Among them are those that expel a person from the religion, such as the bid’ah of committing shirk (associating partners) with Allah, and worshipping graves, shrines, and the dead.
- Among them are those that constitute a major sin, and
- Among them are those that constitute a minor sin.
In any case, there is no good in innovation—neither in its major forms nor its minor forms. Therefore, a Muslim must avoid innovations and restrict themselves to acting upon the Sunnahs brought by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
As for boycotting, this depends on the overriding benefit: if boycotting him serves as a deterrent that will cause him to repent and abandon the innovation, then he is boycotted. However, if this [boycotting] is something that would only increase his obstinacy, then he is not boycotted; rather, he is advised. The advice should continue with him in the hope that he might repent and abandon the innovation.