Question:
If we do anything more than the prophet Muhammed saw did, does this count as biddah or love?
Dor example, fasting in Rabbi al Awal?
Answer:
Bid`a in the religion is categorically forbidden. However, the majority of the scholars consider that the fact that the Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) did not do something does not amount to a prohibition or dislike of that thing. Therefore doing something he did not do does not automatically constitute a bida`.
Imam al-Shafi`i defined the bida` thus: “New matters are two kinds: the bad kind, namely what contradicts the Qur’an and/or the Sunnah; the good kind, namely, what conforms to the Qur’an and the Sunnah.”
Love of the Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) is defined in Islam as following his commands and prohibition, in Iman as believing in him and putting him above every close relative and oneself in importance, and in Ihsan as being absent from any concern in heaven and earth other than him. Whatever illustrates any one of those three aspects qualifies as love for him.
Finally, there is no proof nor prohibition against fasting in Rabi`al-awwal in the Law.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
