What is the decisive ruling regarding the issue of bid‘ah (innovation in religion), and how can one reconcile the differences among the madhhabs (schools of thought) on matters such as reciting the Qur’an in congregation, and consistently performing acts of worship at specific times even if they were not established by the Salaf (early Muslims)?

Innovation (bid'ah) has been previously defined in religious law. As for reading the Qur'an in congregation, there are four scenarios, three of which are unanimously considered commendable (mustahabb). However, congregational reading aloud in unison at the same time is considered commendable by the Hanbalis and Shafi'is, but disliked (makruh) by the Malikis and Hanafis. Gathering to remember Allah (dhikr) aloud in unison at a specific time, or silently in a particular manner with consistency, falls under the category of added innovation (bid'ah idafiyyah). It cannot be compared to congregational Qur'an reading due to the established evidence for the permissibility of its origin. Designating a specific time for a lesson does not fall under innovation, based on what Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) used to do.