Clarifying the Distinction Between the Bid'ah (Religious Innovation) That Constitutes Disbelief and the Bid'ah That Constitutes Open Sinfulness

Question:
The eighth question: You answered, Shaykh (may Allah preserve him), in a question about bid'ah (religious innovation) last year that some bid'ah is a cause of disbelief, and some is a cause of open sinfulness. However, I recently heard a statement from one of those who claim to be scholars saying that this classification is incorrect. In fact, this person says that the origin of this classification is the science of theology (kalam), and that there is no difference between the bid'ah that leads to disbelief and the bid'ah that leads to open sinfulness. Is this correct? May Allah bless you.

Answer:
I said this, and I say it now, and praise be to Allah. I am certain, or it is my strong belief, that this statement is correct and is based on the words of the scholars of knowledge. If this objector has additional knowledge that is hidden from us, he must explain it to us. However, objecting without clarifying the correct position is not permissible. Allah the Exalted said, through the tongue of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): If he does not accept this classification, what does he say at the beginning? Does he say that they are all disbelievers, or that they are all open sinners, or does he say they are neither disbelievers nor open sinners? What does he say about this? He must clarify. If his statement is correct, we will accept it; if his statement is incorrect, we will reject it, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good.