Bidʿah is introducing something into the religion as an act of worship without proof from the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah. Not everything new is bidʿah. It becomes bidʿah when it is treated as part of the dīn without evidence.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ

“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2697 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1718]


Common Forms of Bidʿah Muslims Fall Into



1. Kissing the Qur’an and Placing It on the Forehead

There is no authentic ḥadīth that the Prophet ﷺ or the companions used to kiss the muṣḥaf or place it between the eyes.

The principle:

مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ

“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2697 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1718]

Ruling:

  • Respecting the Qur’an is required
  • But specific actions of worship need proof
  • Regularly kissing it as a religious act → not from the Sunnah

If done occasionally out of emotion without believing it is Sunnah, it is different. But turning it into a habit tied to reward → not established.


2. Hanging Qur’ān Verses on Walls

There is no practice from the Prophet ﷺ or companions of hanging āyāt as decoration.

Problems that can happen:

  • The Qur’an becomes decoration instead of recitation
  • It is placed in places where people are sinning
  • It may be disrespected unintentionally

Allah says:

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ

“A blessed Book We revealed so that they may reflect upon its verses.”
[Qur’an 38:29]

Ruling:

  • Writing āyāt for learning/reminding is acceptable
  • Hanging them as decoration or protection → not from Sunnah


3. Shaking Hands After Every Ṣalāh

There is no evidence that the Prophet ﷺ or companions shook hands after every obligatory prayer as a routine

The Prophet ﷺ did shake hands generally:

مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَيَتَصَافَحَانِ إِلَّا غُفِرَ لَهُمَا

“No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that they are forgiven.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5212 | Ṣaḥīḥ]

But this is for meeting, not a fixed post-prayer ritual

Ruling:

  • Shaking hands sometimes → Sunnah when meeting
  • Making it after every ṣalāh consistently → not Sunnah

4. Adding Fixed Acts of Worship Without Proof

Examples:

  • Assigning specific numbers, times, or formats of dhikr not established
  • Creating personal “daily rituals” and treating them as Sunnah

Worship must be based on evidence, not preference.


5. Believing Certain Nights or Dates Have Special Status Without Evidence

Examples:

  • Treating specific nights as special without authentic proof
  • Creating gatherings tied to those nights

Islam defines sacred times clearly. Adding new ones is not allowed.


6. Innovations in Funerals and Death Practices

Examples:

  • Delaying burial without need
  • Holding gatherings on the 3rd, 7th, or 40th day
  • Hiring reciters or organizing paid Qur’an readings
  • Expecting the grieving family to host food
  • Wailing or ritualized mourning
  • Decorating or building over graves
  • Reciting Qur’an at graves as a fixed practice

The Prophet ﷺ limited funeral practices clearly.



Bidʿah often looks like “extra good.”
But sincerity is not enough without correctness.

The safest path is simple:
If the Prophet ﷺ did it, follow it.
If he did not, pause before adding it.