Common innovations during حج include: making دعا as a group in unison, specifying certain دعائیں for each circuit of طواف, touching all corners of the کعبۃ اللہ (only the حجر اسود and Yemeni Corner are Sunnah), wiping the کعبۃ اللہ's cloth for blessings, visiting specific sites in مکہ مکرمہ as 'holy places,' and excessive wailing at graves. The Sunnah is to follow نبی کریم's practice without adding or inventing new rituals.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours that is not of it, it is rejected.' During حج and عمرہ, many practices have crept in over the centuries that have no basis in the Sunnah. Scholars have warned against these innovations, as they can detract from the true worship and may lead to beliefs that contradict the correct creed.
Sheikh Ibn Baz listed several common innovations to avoid: Making دعا in a group, where one person recites and others repeat in unison during طواف — the Sunnah is individual دعا in one's own words. Specifying particular دعائیں for each circuit of طواف — there is no authentic دعا designated for specific circuits except the دعا between the Yemeni Corner and the حجر اسود. Touching all four corners or walls of the کعبۃ اللہ — only the حجر اسود and the Yemeni Corner are touched. Wiping the کعبۃ اللہ's cloth (Kiswah) and rubbing it on one's body for blessings — this has no basis in the Sunnah. Visiting sites in مکہ مکرمہ like 'the cave where نبی کریم was born' as holy places — نبی کریم never designated these sites for visitation.
Sheikh Al-Albani added further innovations to avoid: Kissing the Yemeni Corner (it is only touched, not kissed). Raising the voice excessively during طواف, disturbing others. Reading specific surahs of قرآن مجید at the Multazam. Believing that water from the زمزم well at the کعبۃ اللہ area is more blessed than زمزم from other sources. Making several consecutive عمرہs from Tan'eem as a formal ritual. The principle is simple: follow نبی کریم's example as authentically documented, and do not add to it.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (religion) that is not part of it, it is rejected.'
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (religion) that is not part of it, it is rejected.'
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ 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.'
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ 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 established rites as transmitted by the scholars.
Hanafi scholars warn against adding to the established rites of حج.
The Maliki school also warns against innovations during حج. They distinguish between good innovations (bid'ah hasanah) and blameworthy innovations, but ritual innovations during حج are generally rejected.
Maliki scholars prohibit adding rituals to حج that have no basis in the Sunnah.
The Shafi'i school categorizes innovations but agrees that adding new rituals to حج without Sunnah basis is impermissible.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: the rites of حج should follow نبی کریم's practice precisely.
The Hanbali school is particularly strict against innovations in worship. Every innovation in religion is misguidance, and حج rites must follow the authenticated Sunnah.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: innovations in the rites of حج are rejected.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ 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)نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ 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)