Punishment of the innovators
Question: "Which O shaykh has the greater punishment: The sinners or the innovators?"
Answer: The innovators have a greater punishment, for verily innovation is more severe than sinning. Therefore, innovation is more beloved to the Shaytaan than sin. For surely the sinner repents. As for the innovator, then it is rare that he repents. Because the innovator thinks that he is upon truth opposed to the sinner who knows that he is a sinner and commits sins. As for the innovator, he sees himself as being a follower, and that he is upon obedience. So for that reason innovation - and the protection is with Allaah - is more evil than sinning. For that reason the Salaf used to warn against sitting with the innovator. Because they have an affect on those who sit with them and their danger is severe. There is no doubt innovation is more evil than sinning, and the danger of the innovator is greater upon the people than the sinner and for this reason the Salaf said: "Perseverance with the sunnah is better than perseverance upon innovation." [Al Ajwibah Al-Mufeedah q.5 pg.26]
Imaam al-Awzaa''ee said, "Patiently restrict yourselves to the sunnah, stop where the people stopped, say what they said, avoid what they avoided. Take to the path of the salaf, for indeed what was sufficient for them was sufficient for you." [Al-Hujjah of Ismail Abu Fadhl (6/A-B)]