[Machine] "O Abu Asmaa, indeed we have gathered people around two matters." He asked, "And what are they?" He replied, "Raising hands on the pulpits on Fridays, and reciting stories after Fajr and Asr prayers." Abu Asmaa asked, "Are they innovations invented by you?" He said, "Yes, and I do not answer you regarding either of them." Abu Asmaa asked, "Why?" He said, "Because the Prophet ﷺ said, 'No people introduce a new innovation except a similar one is lifted from the Sunnah. Holding steadfast to the Sunnah is better than inventing an innovation."  

يَا أَبَا أَسْمَاءَ إِنَّا قَدْ جَمَعْنَا النَّاسَ عَلَى أَمْرَيْنِ قَالَ وَمَا هُمَا؟ قَالَ رَفْعُ الْأَيْدِي عَلَى الْمَنَابِرِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَالْقَصَصُ بَعْدَ الصُّبْحِ وَالْعَصْرِ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُمَا أَمْثَلُبِدْعَتِكُمْ عِنْدِي وَلَسْتُ مُجِيبَكَ إِلَى شَيْءٍ مِنْهُمَا قَالَ لِمَ؟ قَالَ لِأَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ مَا أَحْدَثَ قَوْمٌ بِدْعَةً إِلَّا رُفِعَ مِثْلُهَا مِنَ السُّنَّةِ فَتَمَسُّكٌ بِسُنَّةٍ خَيْرٌ مِنْ إِحْدَاثِ بِدْعَةٍ