Al-itisam is one of the earliest -if not the first- book to be compiled about Bida. Imam al-Shatibis strict analysis and complete adherence to the verification of all sciences makes him one of the unique individuals capable of determining what is Bida in the Islamic science. Although there is similar work written by Imam Ibn Abi Shama, -the teacher of Imam Nawawi- non the less this book by al-Shatibi stands out as the most referenced book in this regard. The Imam adheres to his Maliki school of Law, which is famous for being strict in what is Bida and what is Mashru or legislative source.

Good English translation and well Referenced Literally translated as Holding Fast (to the Sunnah) , the two volumes (in One Book) go into detail on important topics such as bidah, as well as clarifying actions and spontaneous actions. Al-itisam is one of the earliest if not the first book to be compiled about Bida. Imam al-Shatibis strict analysis and complete adherence to the verification of all sciences makes him one of the unique individuals capable of determining what is Bida in the Islamic science. Although there is similar work written by Imam Ibn Abi Shama, the teacher of Imam Nawawi- non the less this book by al-Shatibi stands out as the most referenced book in this regard. The Imam adheres to his Maliki school of Law, which is famous for being strict in what is Bida and what is Mashru or legislative source. This work of 10 chapters is the ultimate encyclopaedia on the topic of defining religious innovations (Bida)