OBEYING
THE FINAL MESSENGER OF ALLAH

Dr Mustafa As Sibaa’ee   

The Companions of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) used to take the ruling on different matters in their lives from the Holy Quraan, which they use to learn from the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam). In many instances, the verses of the Holy Quraan treat a subject in a general manner without a specific condition. Sometimes the verses would come as an absolute ruling without any precondition or limitation required by time, place, etc. As an example of what came in a general way in the Holy Quraan is Salaah (prayers). The Holy Quraan does not mention how many Rak’ats (units of prayer) we should offer, or how to physically move during Salaah, or the time for Salaah.

Similarly, the Holy Quraan does not mention the minimum amount of money to have before paying Zakaah or the conditions by which to pay it. Many of our acts of worships cannot be performed without stopping at the explanations related to the regulations, pillars, and conditions of nullification. It is thus a must to turn to the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) to know the rules in a comprehensive and clear manner.

Many times, the Companions faced incidents in which the Quraan had no ruling, and there was a need to return to the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) to know the ruling of such matters. It was Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) who was ordered by Allah teach humanity, and it is the Prophet who is the most knowledgeable of mankind about that which Allah expects from us.

Allah has told us about the duty of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) with respect to the Quraan, where Allah said: “And We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may give thought.” (16:44)

Allah also made it clear to us that the duty of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) is to clarify the truth to people when there is a dispute: “And We sent down the Book to thee for the express purpose, that thou shouldst make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe.” (16:64)

We are obligated to follow any ruling by the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) in any dispute. Says the Holy Quraan: “But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.” (4:65)

Allah also mentioned that the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) was given the Quraan and wisdom to teach people the regulations of their religion. Says the Book: “Allah did confer a great favour on the believers when He sent among them an Apostle from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error.” (3:164)

Regarding the last verse, most scholars and those of great knowledge said that the wisdom mentioned in the verse means another thing besides the Holy Quraan. It is what Allah has given the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) from the knowledge of matters and regulations that the rest of humanity cannot attain.

Imaam Shafi’ee said that “Allah has mentioned the scripture which is the Quraan, and he mentioned wisdom, and I have learned from the people of knowledge that the wisdom here is the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam). It is from the mercy of Allah that He has sent to us a way to practice what is in the Quraan.”

Allah did not stop by saying scripture only, but the inclusion of the Sunnah with the Quraan is an indication of its important and the obligation on us to follow it as we have to follow the Quraan.

Imaam Shafi’ee goes on saying that the letter ‘wa’ (‘and’ between Scripture and wisdom in the verse) is a letter of conjunction in Arabic which requires that the two parts it joins must be different, otherwise the sentence will be redundant, and Allah is far away from that. May Allah forbid us!

And so when Allah said that he has conferred a great favour on the believers, He does not confer anything that is not correct and truthful. Therefore, this wisdom must be followed as the Holy Quraan, and Allah has never ordered us to follow anything but Him and His Messenger (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam). Which must mean that this wisdom is what came from the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) in the form of rules and sayings regarding legislation.

To clarify the concept of Sunnah and our obligation to follow it, Allah said:

“Those who follow the Apostle, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures) - in the law and the Gospel - for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So, it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him; it is they who will prosper.” (7:157)

Because this teaching is mentioned in general in this verse, then it must include the rules in the Holy Quraan and Sunnah. A very strong indicator of the obligation upon us to follow the Sunnah can be found in this verse:

“...And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.” (59:7)

Allah has also made the obedience of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) in conjunction with the obedience to Him: “And obey Allah and the Messenger, that ye may obtain mercy.” (3:132)

We are asked by Allah to answer any order by the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam). Says the Quraan: “O ye who believe! Give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calleth you to that which will give you life.” (8:24)

Allah made the obedience of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) an obedience to Him, and following the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) an indication of the love of Allah:

“He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah.” (4:80)

“Say: If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you sins.” (3:31)

And Allah warned us from not following the instructions of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam): “Then let those beware who withstand the Messenger’s order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.” (24:63)

Not only that, but Allah told us that disobeying the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) is ‘Kufr’ (disbelief): “Say: Obey Allah and His Messenger.: But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.” (3:32)

It was never allowed by Allah that a believer disobey the Holy Prophet’s (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) order: “It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (33:36)

To show that not following the ruling of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) when a dispute occurs is a sign of hypocrisy, Allah says: "We believed in Allah and in the Messenger and we came in obedience, then after that a party of them turn away, and those- they are not believers. And when they are called to Allah and His Messenger that he may decide (dispute) between them, then a party of them turn their face. And if they are getting some thing (right) then they will come to him submissively. What, is there sickness in their hearts, or are they lying in deceit, or do they fear that Allah shall do injustice unto them and His Messenger? Nay, they are those who are unjust. The only word of the Believers was but that, when they were called to Allah and His Messenger that he might judge between them, they said: 'We heard and we obeyed the order,' and those- they are the prosperous. (24:47-51)  

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