Sufyan
ath-Thawri رحمه
الله
said,
"Innovations
are more beloved to Shaytan than sin, since a sin may be repented from but an
innovation is not repented from."
[Sharh Usul I'tiqad
of al-Lalika'i (d. 414H) no.238, the great 4th century Imam who wrote on the
belief of Ahlus-Sunnah] This is because the innovator believes he is doing
something good and therefore sees no need to repent.
He also said,