Yet there are those who establish the ruling by the very wording of the Lawgiver or by its meaning; these are the proponents of analogy (qiyās).(1)

As for anything whose motive for enactment was already present—were it truly a benefit—and yet the Prophet did not legislate it, instituting it constitutes an alteration of Allah’s religion. Such innovations have been introduced only by those charged with changing the faith—whether rulers, scholars, or ascetics—or by individuals among them who erred in their ijtihād. This is in keeping with the report from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and from more than one Companion:

“The matter I fear most for you is the slip of a scholar, the disputation of a hypocrite who cites the Qur’an, and leaders who lead astray.”(4)

A concrete example of this category is giving the adhān for the two ‘Īds. When some governors introduced it, the Muslims rejected it as an innovation (bid‘ah). Had the mere fact of its being an innovation not been sufficient proof of its reprehensibility, it might have been said: “This is a remembrance of Allah and a summons for people to worship Him, so it falls under the general texts,” such as the Almighty’s words:

“Remember Allah with much remembrance” (al-Aḥzāb 33:41)(5)

and His words:

“Who speaks better than the one who calls people to Allah…?” (Fuṣṣilat 41:33)(6)