The Statement of Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) on the Spread of Bid‘ah

Imam Musaddad ibn Musarhad (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). Imam Tabarani has also recorded it through the chain of Imam Musaddad (rahimahumallah).

Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) said: “With every passing year, people introduce an innovation and cause a Sunnah to die, until innovations become widespread and Sunnahs gradually die out.”

(Refer: Al Matalibul ‘Aliyah, Hadith: 2982, Al Mu’jamul Kabir of Tabarani, Hadith: 10610. Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1, pg. 188, Hadith: 906)

As for whether it may be considered marfu‘ hukman – i.e understood as being acquired from Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) – the following should be noted:

A statement of a Sahabi is generally regarded as marfu‘ hukman when a wording (sigha) is used that indicates that it was acquired from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), or when the nature of the narration is not such that could be made up using logic.

In this narration, however, Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) could have made this statement based on his observation of the condition of people and how Bid‘ah gradually spreads. 

Note: While the narration in question should be quoted as the statement of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma), similar meaning does also appear in some Hadiths of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). See here.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Huzaifah Motara

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar