Bid'at and Poverty

(Innovations and People Grinding in the Mill of Poverty)
A True Story:
A friend who runs a household goods shop was telling me something like this one day:
"I was sitting in the shop when a man came and started making a strange demand of me. He said:
'Can you rent me an empty carton (new carton) for a week?'
I was surprised and asked: 'Brother! Rent for an empty carton? That too new? For what?'
Tears filled his eyes. He said in a low voice:
'Promise me that you will not tell anyone about what I said?'
I said: 'Of course, you should not worry.'
Daughter's wedding and empty carton:
He started saying: 'My daughter's wedding is coming. I haven't been able to buy a good dowry. My daughter has been crying since morning. Finally, I have come up with a plan to take empty cartons and put bricks in them so that people will think that the dowry has been given well. Otherwise, people will not hesitate to utter this sentence:
'A girl who does not have a dowry is like one who fasts but does not pray.''
Tears also flowed from my eyes.
The concept of Islam and innovation
(What is innovation? And what is the position of Islam?)
Innovation (i.e. those customs that are not part of the religion but people have made them a religious or social obligation) is strictly prohibited in Islam. These innovations not only corrupt the religion but also increase social inequality and poverty.
Dowry display – a religious and social injustice
(How does the exhibitionist nature of people make the poor cry?)
The ritual of showing off the dowry – in which people Going to someone's house to see how much stuff has arrived is a serious innovation.
This is a tradition that is only meant to shame the poor.
Whoever has nothing to give, either borrows, or like this father, brings empty cartons to save his honor.
The one who breaks the innovation, the fighter of religion
(Standing against innovation is a great jihad)
If a person dares, and breaks the custom at his daughter's wedding that
'We will not invite anyone to show off the dowry,'
then he will definitely be counted among the soldiers of religion who break the innovation.
According to traditions, stopping innovation is a great religious work and leads to a spiritual position.
Conclusion – Leave the rituals, save the relationships
(Relationships need love, not show-off)
Are we ready to stand against such innovations?
Can we take the first step that will make it easier for others tomorrow?
Come on! Leave these innovations that Not only are they deviant from religion, but they also increase poverty and shame in our society.

Maulana Wafa Haider Khan
Maulana Wafa Haider khan is a Teacher, Educator and a Scholar of Arabic Linguistics. He has many years of experience in teaching students of Deen and Fiqha. He is currently a Mudarris (Teaching Staff) at Madrasa e Hadi ATFS, Navi Mumbai.
