Common innovations during الحج include: making دعاء as a group in unison, specifying certain الأدعية for each circuit of الطواف, touching all corners of the الكعبة (only the الحجر الأسود and Yemeni Corner are السنة), wiping the الكعبة's cloth for blessings, visiting specific sites in مكة as 'holy places,' and excessive wailing at graves. The السنة is to follow النبي's practice without adding or inventing new rituals.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours that is not of it, it is rejected.' During الحج and العمرة, many practices have crept in over the centuries that have no basis in the السنة. Scholars have warned against these innovations, as they can detract from the true worship and may lead to beliefs that contradict the correct creed.
الشيخ ابن باز listed several common innovations to avoid: Making دعاء in a group, where one person recites and others repeat in unison during الطواف — the السنة is individual دعاء in one's own words. Specifying particular الأدعية for each circuit of الطواف — there is no authentic دعاء designated for specific circuits except the دعاء between the Yemeni Corner and the الحجر الأسود. Touching all four corners or walls of the الكعبة — only the الحجر الأسود and the Yemeni Corner are touched. Wiping the الكعبة's cloth (Kiswah) and rubbing it on one's body for blessings — this has no basis in the السنة. Visiting sites in مكة like 'the cave where النبي was born' as holy places — النبي never designated these sites for visitation.
Sheikh الألباني added further innovations to avoid: Kissing the Yemeni Corner (it is only touched, not kissed). Raising the voice excessively during الطواف, disturbing others. Reading specific surahs of القرآن at the Multazam. Believing that water from the زمزم well at the الكعبة area is more blessed than زمزم from other sources. Making several consecutive العمرةs from Tan'eem as a formal ritual. The principle is simple: follow النبي's example as authentically documented, and do not add to it.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (religion) that is not part of it, it is rejected.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (religion) that is not part of it, it is rejected.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to say in his sermons: 'The best speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the worst of matters are newly invented ones, and every innovation is misguidance.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to say in his sermons: 'The best speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the worst of matters are newly invented ones, and every innovation is misguidance.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Innovations in worship should be avoided. The Hanafi school emphasizes following the أُسس rites as transmitted by the scholars.
Hanafi scholars warn against adding to the أُسس rites of الحج.
The Maliki school also warns against innovations during الحج. They distinguish between good innovations (bid'ah hasanah) and blameworthy innovations, but ritual innovations during الحج are generally rejected.
Maliki scholars prohibit adding rituals to الحج that have no basis in the السنة.
The Shafi'i school categorizes innovations but agrees that adding new rituals to الحج without السنة basis is imجائز.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: the rites of الحج should follow النبي's practice precisely.
The Hanbali school is particularly strict against innovations in worship. Every innovation in religion is misguidance, and الحج rites must follow the authenticated السنة.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: innovations in the rites of الحج are rejected.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (religion) that is not part of it, it is rejected.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #2697 (sahih)النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to say in his sermons: 'The best speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the worst of matters are newly invented ones, and every innovation is misguidance.'
Sahih Muslim #867 (sahih)