Is the innovator and the one who calls to religious innovation considered a hypocrite?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is the innovator considered a hypocrite, or is the one who calls to religious innovation the only hypocrite?

Answer:
No, that is not the case. There is a difference between religious innovation (bid'ah) and hypocrisy (nifaq). Bid'ah is introducing into the religion something that is not part of it, seeking to draw near to Allah through something He has not prescribed. That is bid'ah. As for nifaq, it is displaying good while concealing evil. Yes.