Question 1

What is the meaning of Bid’ah?

Accepted Answer

The guideline on bid‘ah according to Islamic teachings is that it is worshipping Allah in a way that He has not prescribed.

Question 2

Is celebrating the Mawlid Nabi a bid'ah?

Accepted Answer

Celebrating the Mawlid (Prophet's birthday) is an innovation (bid'ah) introduced by the Shi'a Fatimids after the three best centuries in order to corrupt the religion of the Muslims.

Question 3

What is the origin of the forty-day commemoration?

Accepted Answer

The origin of this is a Pharaonic custom which was practised by the Pharaohs before Islam, then it spread from them to other nations. It is a reprehensible bid'ah which has no basis in Islam.

Question 4

Is it permissible to read Al-Fatihah for the deceased?

Accepted Answer

There is no report that the Prophet ﷺ recited a surah of the Qur’an or any verses thereof for the dead, even though he visited them often.

Question 5

Is reciting Al-Fatihah after making supplication a bid'ah?

Accepted Answer

There is no proof that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite Al-Fatihah after offering supplication, as far as we know. Hence reciting it after offering supplication is an innovation.

Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen