What is the difference between bid'ah (religious innovation) and the Sunnah, with examples? A word first on the reality of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and the meaning of "La ilaha illa Allah," and a mention of its conditions.

The Shaykh : Here is a question where the questioner asks to speak about the difference between bid'ah (religious innovation) and the Sunnah, and the distinction between them with examples. This is a question of reality that resembles the question posed by the professor, Shaykh Hasan, in terms of its importance first, and in terms of its broad scope second.

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Since we have answered the questions of those who came before others in directing the question, it is now permissible for me to begin answering the third question in order and the first in importance, which is tawhid (the oneness of Allah). Then I will follow up, or rather, I will proceed after that to answering this question about the difference between the Sunnah and bid'ah (religious innovation) and mentioning some examples of both. I say that tawhid (the oneness of Allah) is the ultimate goal of Allah Mighty and Majestic sending the messengers and sending down the books. Allah Mighty and Majestic says in the clear text of the Noble Qur'an: Allah Mighty and Majestic created this creation of humans and jinn to worship Him meaning to worship Me, meaning to worship Me alone with no partner for Me. For this purpose, which has no purpose beyond it, Allah Mighty and Majestic sent down the books and sent the messengers. The verses in this meaning are many and very many, and it is a matter accepted and agreed upon among the Muslims. But it is regrettable that many of the Muslims today do not know the reality of this tawhid (the oneness of Allah). They are monotheists; they all say, despite their different schools of thought, inclinations, and multitude of paths, they all say "La ilaha illa Allah". But if you advance a little, take this space, and you too... crowd together, show mercy to one another, and praise be to Allah, they still believe in "La ilaha illa Allah." But we must say the truth, even if it is bitter. Many of the Muslims do not know, even today, the meaning of this word, "La ilaha illa Allah." This word is the first, indeed the only, cause for the salvation of the Muslim on the Day of Allah from eternal abode in the Fire. This word, if one says it sincerely from his heart, certain in it, Allah has forbidden his body from the Fire. But this great benefit is not realized merely by saying "La ilaha illa Allah" when we first do not know its meaning. And even if we know its meaning, we do not realize this meaning in our conduct in our lives. So it is necessary, in order to attain the effect of this good word, "La ilaha illa Allah," and its immense, great reward mentioned in many authentic hadith texts, to attain this reward, it is necessary first to say it accompanied by the correct understanding of it. And this alone is not sufficient; it is not permissible. It is necessary to believe in what we understand from the correct meaning of this word. And this is not enough; rather, it must be joined to that correct understanding and correct belief in it, not just knowledge... firm belief that the matter is so, "La ilaha illa Allah." And the other, and final, thing is that we do not contradict this correct meaning, accompanied by firm belief, with our conduct in our lives. Whoever understands this phrase correctly and believes in it with firm belief, then does not contradict this belief with any action in his conduct in his life—and I mean by that some of the acts of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and idolatry that contradict this good word—such a person is the one who deserves the reward of this word, whose explanation came in many and very many hadiths.