Section: “Acts of Worship” and “The Distinction between Their Prescribed and Innovated Forms”

Much confusion has arisen in this area, just as it has concerning what is lawful and unlawful. Some people have deemed lawful certain things Allah has forbidden, while others have forbidden certain things Allah Most High has made lawful. Likewise, some have introduced acts of worship that Allah has not prescribed but has, rather, prohibited.

The “foundation of religion” is that what is lawful is what Allah and His Messenger have made lawful; what is unlawful is what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden; and religion consists of what Allah and His Messenger have prescribed. No one may depart from the straight path with which Allah sent His Messenger.

Allah Most High says:

“And this is My path, perfectly straight, so follow it. Do not follow other paths, for they will lead you away from His path. This is what He has commanded you, so that you may be mindful of Him.”

In the hadith of ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd—may Allah be pleased with him—it is reported: “The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—drew a line, then drew other lines to his right and left. He then said: ‘This is Allah’s path, and these are other paths. On each of these paths is a devil calling