Creating Creative and Innovative Muslim Society: Bid‘ah as an Approach

Abstract

The objectives of this preliminary work on the Islamic creativity concept are to reassess the role of bid'ah in creating creative and innovative Muslim through its conceptual and understanding framework; discover the relationship between bid'ah and the advancement of Islamic civilization; and discuss its necessity positively as highlighted in the approach of avoiding extremism or "duna ifrat wa la tafrit" in building a just and balanced Muslim society (ummatan wasatan). By employing the qualitative method through content analysis in evaluating the necessary and relevant reports, articles and texts, it is hoped that this paper will offer a distinctive perspective of bid'ah, its positive role and contribution in contemporary Muslim society.

Revisiting the Terminology of Bid'ah Hasanah as a Counter Discourse Against Bid'ah Dalalah in the Public Sphere

“…The discourse contention about this term is still happening today in public spheres such as social media and websites affiliated with certain religious groups, as well as in the academic sphere represented in the classrooms discussions and the textbooks used as teaching materials of Islamic religious education in university level (Jahroni, 2018;Zarif et al, 2013;Adam et al, 2015;Muhtadin & Ritonga, 2018;Musadad & Ngarfillah, 2016). When it comes to the history of the debate, it is known that this subject of debate has started since the beginning of the Islamic law establishment (Anshari, 2018;Musadad & Ngarfillah, 2016, Sopyan, 2018.…”

“…The word bid'ah etymologically implies something new that does not yet have any previous example, or also known as creativity or innovation (Zarif et al, 2013;Musadad & Ngarfillah, 2016;al-Shatibi, 1997;Ibn-Faris, 1979). Although the substance of the meaning is "something new", the term is indeed perceived in a variety of ways (significances) in a couple of Islamic scientific discourse (Musadad & Ngarfillah, 2016).…”

“…In his conclusion, Hasyim Asy'ari argues that not all new things are deviant acts, because although there are no arguments that are strong enough, they can still rely on Islamic sharia. Furthermore, Zarif (2013) approaches the concept of bid'ah in his research entitled Creating Creative and Innovative Muslim Society. He tries to connect the concept of bid'ah with the progress of Islamic civilization and reveals the positive sides of this concept to fight extremism.…”

A Preliminary Study on the Islamic Creativity Practices

“…Several empirical studies have been done to examine the contextual and operational definition of creativity from an Islamic perspectives or even from the life of Prophet Muhammad (Adibah et al, 2015;Al-Karasneh & Saleh, 2010;AlMazeidy, 1993;Mohd Azmir, Muhammad Mustaqim, Paimah, & Hisham, 2013;Muhammad Mustaqim et al, 2013). Such a creativity can be regarded as the ability to produce something new and appropriate, beneficial to humans and in line with the Islamic principles and Shari'ah (Md.…”

“…Referring to the Ensiklopedia Malaysiana( 1996)creativity is the ability to create or produce something. However, in Islamic perspective, creativity is regulated by the concept of bid'ah that induced Ijtihad, which set the limit and boundary of religious belief (Muhammad Mustaqim, Mohd Azmir, Anita, & Adibah, 2013). It signifies that a human mind does have a limit beyond the Creator, which this paper does not intent to discuss further.…”