Hadith #10753

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

People are only [one of] of two types: the follower of [divine] law or the innovator of an innovation.

This Hadith highlights the fundamental dichotomy that exists within the Muslim community. It categorizes people into two distinct groups based on their adherence to either the established divine law or the introduction of new practices and beliefs.

Let us delve into the important words used in this Hadith. The word (rajulan) "رَجُلانِ" refers to "people" or "individuals." It emphasizes that every person falls into one of the two categories mentioned. The word (muttabi') "مُتَّبِعُ" means "follower" or "adherent." It signifies those who adhere to the established divine law, following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). On the other hand, the word (mubtadi') "مُبْتَدِعُ" refers to the "innovator" or the one who introduces new practices and beliefs into the religion.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:85),

And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of adhering to the established religion of Islam and warns against introducing innovations that deviate from the true path.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.

This verse highlights the completeness and perfection of the Islamic religion, indicating that there is no need for innovation or alteration.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that they must choose between being followers of the divine law or becoming innovators. By following the established teachings of Islam, we align ourselves with the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). This adherence ensures that we remain on the straight path and avoid deviating into falsehood.

The consequences of innovation in religion are severe. It leads to the distortion of the true teachings of Islam and can result in the loss of faith and misguidance. Innovations can create divisions within the Muslim community and weaken the unity that is essential for the progress and strength of the Ummah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and understanding of Islam, warns us against the dangers of innovation. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the purity and authenticity of the religion, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

As Muslims, we must reflect on this Hadith and strive to be followers of the divine law. We should seek knowledge from authentic sources and adhere to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah. By doing so, we ensure that our actions and beliefs are in accordance with the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of adhering to the established divine law and warns against introducing innovations into the religion. It calls upon us to be conscious of our choices and to align ourselves with the teachings of Islam as preserved by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May Allah guide us all to follow the true path and protect us from deviation and innovation.