The Basic Elements of Innovation (Bid'ah) According to Quran and Sunnah

One of the most important issues discussed in connection with bid'ah (innovation) are its pillars or elements which, if misunderstood, can lead to deviations, overindulgence and extremities within Muslim communities. This article examines the criteria of bid'ah from the perspectives of the Quran and prophetic traditions hoping to spread awareness and prevent Muslims from going to extremes. The basic elements, according to Islamic literature and sources, are lacking origination in the religion, introducing something new and considering it as a part of the religion, intention, dissemination, constancy, opposition to the main goals of Shari'ah and its non-existence in the first three centuries. The conclusion drawn after studying the verses and traditions is that lacking origination in the religion, being new, addition to and omission from the religion and conscious ascription to the religion can be considered as the basic elements of bid'ah while, contrary to what some believe, dissemination, constancy, opposition to the goals of the Shari'ah and not being in the early three centuries are not among the elements or pillars of bid'ah.