What is a bid'ah? In the light of the Qur'aan and Sunnah, the author comprehensively answers this question, defining what would be regarded as a reprehensible bid'ah and non-reprehensible bid'ah in Islam.

Using this definition as an undergirding, the author moves onto the question. 'Is exertion in worship a bid'ah, such as remaining awake the entire night engaged in prayers or completing the whole Qur'aan in a single rak'ah?                

By presenting a deluge of narrations illustrating the wonderful exertion of the salaf, the author in a scholarly manner also puts this question into it's proper context.

The author, Maulana Abu al-Hasanat Abd al-Hayy Lucknawi was born in Banda, India, 1264 A/H. Within the short lifespan of 39 years he authored over 115 works, of which some are voluminous and the majority deal with extremely complex and intricate issues, which uptil the present day are sources of references for Scholars.

Edited by the Great Hanafi scholar of Syria, Shaikh Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah.

English Translation by Shaykh Zahir Mahmood