Is Eid shortbread an innovation (bidʿah)?
Bid‘ah (innovation) has two meanings: a linguistic meaning and a Shar‘i (legal) meaning. The linguistic meaning is to originate or invent something, and it can be good or bad depending on the thing invented. For example, making Eid cakes is a linguistically good bid‘ah. As for the Shar‘i meaning, bid‘ah in this sense is nothing but misguidance, based on the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) sayings: “Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected,” and “Every bid‘ah is misguidance.” Making Eid cakes does not fall under this meaning.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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