What is the definition of bid'ah (innovation in religion)? Is it divided into good and bad? Does it have other classifications? What is its ruling? And are the examples mentioned, such as using a string to straighten rows (in prayer), holding the Mus'haf (Quran), and counting tasbih (glorification of God) with prayer beads, considered forbidden innovations?

Muhammad al-Khadimi al-Hanafi defined innovation (bid‘ah) as that which contravenes the Sunnah in belief, action, and speech, or the introduction of something that did not exist during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, or an increase or decrease in the religion after the Companions without the permission of the Shari‘ah. Al-Shatibi defined it as an invented way in religion that mimics what is legislated, intended for exaggeration in worship.

Innovation has a linguistic and a Shari‘ah meaning: - Linguistically: It is divided into good and bad, as innovation (ibda‘) can be praiseworthy or blameworthy. - Shari‘ah: It is not divided, because it is an introduced matter in religion that is always blameworthy.

Innovations are not of one rank; some of them are: 1. Explicit disbelief (kufr): Such as the innovation of the Jahiliyyah and the hypocrites. 2. A sin that is not disbelief or is disputed: Such as the innovation of the Khawarij and the Murji’ah. 3. A sin agreed upon as disbelief: Such as the innovation of celibacy (tabattul) and fasting while standing in the sun. 4. Disliked (makruh): Such as gathering for supplication on the eve of Arafah, and mentioning rulers in the Friday sermon.

As for some specific issues: - Placing a string to straighten the rows is permissible for the benefit of the prayer. - Carrying the Mushaf behind the Imam to follow along in case of error is permissible. - Counting Tasbih with the fingers is better than with prayer beads (subhah), but counting Tasbih with prayer beads is permissible by analogy with date pits and pebbles.