The Refutation of Those Who Divide Religious Innovations into Five Categories

The Shaykh : As you have seen, these hadiths are general and absolute, encompassing every religious innovation. Yet, both in the past and in recent times, there have been those who claim that these hadiths are what the scholars of usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) call "al-'amm al-makhsus" (a general text that is restricted). By this, they mean that the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in many hadiths, , does not mean that every innovation is misguidance. Rather, they assert that innovation is divided into five categories, claiming that among them is the prescribed, recommended innovation, by which a Muslim can draw near to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). This is what they say!
We do not doubt that, due to our awareness of this disagreement we have inherited from those before us in this very important issue, they may resort to supporting their view of the aforementioned restriction with some established texts in the Sunnah, and perhaps with some reports from some of the Companions. Therefore, I intended to investigate these doubts and answer them tonight, so that the believing Muslim, by the grace of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) upon His servants in completing His Shari'ah in His saying: , may know that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) completed and perfected the religion, which is the greatest blessing upon the Muslims, if only most of them knew it.