This act is not Bid'ah!

Question: Is it bid’ah to say Aameen while the Imaam is making supplication during the Friday sermon?

Response: It is not an innovation to say Aameen to the Imam’s supplication while delivering the Friday sermon when he starts supplicating for the Muslims. In fact it is recommended to say Aameen to his supplication [without raising one’s hand]. However, it should not be done with a loud voice or in unison. Rather, each individual should say the Aameen alone with a low voice so that it would not lead to disturbance or loud voices. So everyone should say Aameen to the supplication of the Imaam secretly and individually.

Source: Fataawaa Arkaan al-Islaam, p. 261 by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-'Uthaymeen

Understanding the Difference between Bid’ah and Mukhaalif lis-Sunnah

There is a difference between something being an innovation (bid'ah) and its being inconsistent with the Sunnah (mukhaalif lis-Sunnah).  For example, elongation of the Friday sermon by the Khateeb is inconsistent with the Sunnah, but it is not an innovation in the technical sense. Similarly, Irsaal yadayn (leaving the arms straight in Salaah) and not placing them on the chest during the standing that is before the rukoo’ is inconsistent with the Sunnah, but it is not an innovation.

Source: al-Bid’ah: Mafhoomuha Bayaanuha Aathaaruha, p. 63-64 by ‘Alee bin Ismaa‘eel al-Qaadee

This Common Practice is Not Sunnah

Question: Some people recite, “Subhaana Rabbika Rabbil-‘Izzati ‘Amma yasifoon…” [1]at the end of a gathering or at the end a supplication; and others recite Soorah al-‘Asr at the end of a sitting, is this Sunnah or bid’ah?

Response: This is not Sunnah. The Sunnah with regard to concluding a sitting it to recite, “Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bi hamdika, ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilayk.”  As for what has been reported from some of the companions that [whenever they meet] they would not part until one of them had recited Soorah al-‘Asr in its entirety to the other, it maybe that it occurred from some of them, but I am not aware that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) did it.

Taken from Fataawaa Noor alaa ad-Darb by Shaykh al-Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)

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[1] Soorah 37: 180-182