Conceptualization of Innovation and the Ruling on Narrating from an Innovator

The diversity of Islamic sects, beliefs, and rulings has had various effects on the scientific and practical lives of Muslims. One of these effects is the determination of the narrator's attributes in Hadith, which emphasizes that the narrator must adhere to the sect from which he or she received the Hadith and should not be an innovator since every sect considers other sects as innovators. But what is the concept of innovation? And is it acceptable to narrate from an innovator among all sects? What are the reasons for those who agree or disagree with narrating from an innovator? In this article, using a descriptive-analytical method and library research, we examine this principle in terms of narrator's attributes and Hadith narration and answer these questions along with discussing some related topics such as mentioning some innovator narrators in Shia and Sunni ways. As a result, it has been determined that despite some opponents' refusal to narrate from innovators, most Islamic sects absolutely or conditionally quote them since without their Hadiths, many sects' Hadith heritage would significantly decrease. Furthermore, there are differences in the meaning and examples of innovation to such an extent that it is impossible to determine its precise meaning and example unanimously. Therefore, it cannot be considered a real criticism for a narrator regardless of his or her belief or action; rather, his or her truthfulness or falsehood should be considered important.