Warning Against Imitating Misguided Practices

📖 Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2180
Abu Waqid Al-Laithi narrated: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to Hunain, he passed by a tree that the idolaters called Dhat Anwat, upon which they hung their weapons. The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah! Make a Dhat Anwat for us as they have a Dhat Anwat.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “Subhan Allah! This is like what Musa’s people said: Make for us a god like their gods. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! You shall follow the way of those who were before you.”

A Prophetic Warning and Prophecy

This hadith is not just a historical event but a warning that people will inevitably imitate the ways of previous nations. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not encourage or approve such imitation but instead warned against blindly following the misguided practices of others.

Key Lessons from the Hadith

✅ Repetition of Past Mistakes:
Just as Bani Israel asked Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) to create a god for them, some of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) companions, unaware of the implications, made a similar request. This reflects a recurring pattern of people seeking to adopt non-Islamic practices without realizing their dangers.

✅ A Prophecy About Future Generations:
The Prophet (ﷺ) foretold that Muslims would follow the ways of previous nations (Jews and Christians), sometimes even copying their mistakes rather than staying firm on the straight path. This prophecy is seen today in various innovations and blind imitation of non-Islamic customs.

✅ Avoiding Bid’ah (Religious Innovations):
Islam is a complete and perfect religion. Introducing new acts of worship, rituals, or customs that resemble those of other faiths can lead to misguidance. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned against such deviations.

Qur’anic References

📖 Surah Al-A’raf (7:138)
“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came upon a people intent in devotion to their idols. They said, ‘O Musa, make for us a god just as they have gods.’ He said, ‘Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.’”
🔹 This verse directly parallels the hadith, showing that history repeats itself when people lack proper understanding of Tawheed (monotheism).