First to Institute

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “I saw Amr bin Aamir al-Khuzai dragging his own entrails in Hell, and he was the first one to institute As-Saa’ibah.” [Muslim]

As-Saa’ibah was a she-camel turned loose for free pasture for the sake of idols, upon which nothing was allowed to be carried. Amr was the first one to make this a tradition for the Arabs, thereby changing their religion. He forbade what Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) had allowed, without having any authority from Allah to do so. For reasons that Allah did not command, he forbade the use (slaughtering, milking or riding) of certain kinds of cattle.

We may think that we are far from doing such silly things, but are we really? Did Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) forbid us from marrying in Muharram, yet we have taken to it in the name of the love of the Prophet’s family.

If you thought about it, you could probably come up with many more examples of such innovations you might be practicing. Whoever changes the pure religion Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) sent to us through Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), should be prepared to join Amr bin Aamir al-Khuzai in Hell.