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."

The Shaykh : Here is a question. The questioner asks: To speak about the difference between bid'ah (religious innovation) and the Sunnah, and the difference between them, with examples?
This is a question that resembles the question directed to Shaykh Husayn 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 quadruple, by answering this question about the difference between the Sunnah and bid'ah (religious innovation) and mentioning some examples of both.
I say: Tawhid (the oneness of Allah) is the ultimate goal of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in sending the messengers and sending down the books. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says explicitly in 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 by the Muslims. However, it is regrettable that many Muslims today do not know the reality of this tawhid (the oneness of Allah); they are monotheists, all of them saying "La ilaha illa Allah" despite their different schools of thought, inclinations, and multitude of paths. But =
-- If you move forward a little, take this space so that you can, and you too, put the books here, crowd together and be kind to each other so they will say --
= And praise be to Allah, they still believe in "La ilaha illa Allah." But we must state the truth, even if it is bitter. Many Muslims do not know the meaning of this word "La ilaha illa Allah" even today. 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. Whoever says this word sincerely from his heart, being certain of it, Allah has forbidden his body from the Fire.
But this great benefit is not realized merely by saying "La ilaha illa Allah" when, first, we 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, in order to attain the effect of this good word "La ilaha illa Allah," and its immense reward mentioned in many authentic hadith texts, in order to attain this reward, it is necessary first to say it accompanied by the correct understanding of it. And this alone is not permissible; it is necessary to believe in what we understand from the correct meaning of this word. And this is not sufficient; rather, it is obligatory that this correct understanding be joined with correct belief in it, not mere knowledge, but 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 with correct understanding, and believes in it with firm belief, and then does not contradict this belief with any action in his conduct in his life—and I mean by that any of the matters of shirk (associating partners with Allah) or idolatry that contradict this good word—whoever testifies this testimony with these three conditions is the one who deserves the reward of this word, which is explained in many and very many hadiths.