Question : A question was asked about certain novelties (muhdithat) in the tarawih prayers, such as saying between raq‘as that “salat al-qiyam will be rewarded by God [athabakum Allah]”, and/or invoking God’s Names (dhikr).

Fatwa in Brief: Saying that “salat al-qiyam will be rewarded by God”, and/or invoking God’s Names (dhikr) between rak‘at are [reprehensible] innovations; there is no good (hasana) in doing so.

The Permanent Committee, 2/352-253

Response:

According to the majority of scholars, innovations are two types: blameworthy ones, which contradict what God and His messenger have commanded; and praiseworthy ones, which are in keeping with God’s recommendations, and the behavior encouraged by His Prophet (upon him be peace). In the second type of innovation, there is religious merit (hasana).

Commentary:

In al-Majmu‘, al-Nawawi observes that the [need for a] call to prayer, and the perfect performance of the five prayers (iqama), are supported by the authoritative texts, and the consensus of the scholars. It is also agreed upon that only the five obligatory prayers require the performance of adhan and iqama. However, as regarding the ‘id prayers, the prayer for an eclipse (kusuf), and the prayer for rain, we say “al-salah jami‘ah”.[1] This also applies to the tarawih, if it is performed in congregation.[2]

This shows that there is nothing to prevent Muslims from saying “al-salat jami‘ah”, “salat al-qiyam will be rewarded by God”. Likewise, it is permitted to praise the name of the Prophet between raqa‘at. And whatever Muslims perceive as good is [also] perceived as good by God. According to the majority of scholars, there are two types of innovation: praiseworthy (hasan) and blameworthy (qabih). The evidence for this is the following hadith: “The one who is responsible for instigating a praiseworthy innovation receives [from God] both its reward and the rewards of those who follow him [in this new act], though the rewards of those who imitate are not diminished. While the one who is responsible for instigating a blameworthy innovation receives [from God] both the results of his/her sin and the weight of the sins committed by those who follow him/her [in this new act], though the weight of their [the followers’] sins is not diminished”.[3] And [in another hadith] ‘Umar said: “What a blessed innovation this is!”[4] [Note how] When this new act was praiseworthy, he [‘Umar] nevertheless described it an innovation because the Prophet (upon him be peace) had not established it, nor had he gathered people to perform it, nor even did this act exist in the era of Abu Bakr. Rather, ‘Umar (r.a.) gathered the people and recommended this act to them. That is why he called it an innovation (bid‘a), while, in truth, it is Sunna.

There are two kinds of innovations: those that guide a Muslim to right path; and those that guide Muslims towards the path of destruction. Those [innovations] that contradict [the spirit of] the commands of God and his Messenger are blameworthy; while the other kind of innovation is in keeping with [the spirit of] the commands of God his Prophet (upon him be peace) are to be praised. The majority of the scholars agree upon this matter.

And God knows best.

Dr. Ahmad ‘Id