Author: Shaykh Abdul Mohsin bin Hamad Al-Abbad (Hafizahullah)
The Book of Allah contains numerous verses that encourage adherence to the practices issued by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), urging compliance with what he has brought forth in terms of truth and guidance, and prohibiting opposition to it, as well as the commission of shirk, innovations, and sins. Among these is the statement of Allah, the Exalted:“And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it. And follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).”
[Al-An'am: 153]
Additionally, Allah says:
“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in plain error.”
[Al-Ahzab: 36]
He further states:
“Let those beware who oppose his (the Messenger’s) commandment, lest some fitnah (trial) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.”
[An-Nur: 63]
In the tafsir of this verse, Ibn Kathir writes:
"The meaning is that it is essential to fear opposing the command of the Messenger (PBUH) because his command represents his path, his methodology, his way, his Sunnah, and his Shariah. Therefore, statements and actions should be weighed against his statements and actions. What aligns with them will be accepted, and what contradicts them will be rejected and returned to its originator, regardless of who it is."
It is established in Sahihain and other collections that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter (the Shariah) will have it rejected.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1718]
This means that those who oppose the Shariah of the Messenger (PBUH) either outwardly or inwardly should fear that they might be afflicted with trials or punishment, such as the development of hypocrisy or innovation in their hearts, or they might face a painful punishment in the world, which could include execution, the enforcement of Shariah limits, imprisonment, or similar punishments.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad PBUH), you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.”
[Al-Ahzab: 21]
And He says:
“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
[Aal-E-Imran: 31]
Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes in the interpretation of this verse:
"This noble verse passes judgment against anyone who claims to love Allah but is not on the Muhammadan way, for he is indeed a liar until he follows the Prophet's religion and Shariah in his words and actions."
As it is established in the authentic Hadith that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:"Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter (the Shariah) will have it rejected."
[Muslim: 1718]
Therefore, Allah has said: ان كنتم تحبون الله فاتبعوني يحببكم الله
"If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you."
[Aal-E-Imran: 31]
This means you will gain something far greater than what you seek as a reward for your love of Him, and that is His love for you. This is greater than the first matter, as one of the wise has said:
"The greatness is not in your loving, but in being loved."
Among the Salaf, Hasan al-Basri and others have said that some people claimed they loved Allah, so Allah tested them with this verse:
قل ان كنتم تحبون الله فاتبعوني يحببكم الله
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you."
Allah the Exalted said: فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ
"Whoever follows My guidance shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve."
[Al-Baqarah: 38]
And He said:﴿فَمَنِ اتَّبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَايَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقٰي . وَمَنْ اَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِيْ فَاِنَّ لَهٗ مَعيْشَةً ضَنْكاًوَّنَحْشُرُهٗ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ ﴾
"Whoever follows My guidance will not go astray nor fall into misery. But whoever turns away from My reminder will certainly have a miserable life, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment."
[Taha: 123-124]
And He said:﴿فَلَاوَرَبَّكَ لَا يُؤ مِنُوْنَ حَتّٰي يُحَكَّمُوْكَ فِيْمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوْا فِيْ اَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَ جًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلَّمُوْا تَسْلِيْماً﴾
"But no, by your Lord, they will not (truly) believe until they make you, (O Muhammad), judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in (full, willing) submission."
[An-Nisa: 65]
And He said:﴿اِتَّبِعُوْا مَا اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖ اَوْلِيَاءَ ط قَلِيْلاً مَّا تَذَكَّرُوْنَ﴾
"Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and do not follow any protectors other than Him. Little do you remember."
[Al-A'raf: 3]
And Allah said:“And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful (Allah) We appoint for him a devil to be a companion to him. And indeed, they (the devils) avert them from the way (of guidance) while they think that they are (rightly) guided.”
[Az-Zukhruf: 36-37]
And He said:“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.”
[An-Nisa: 59]
And He said:“And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah.”
[Ash-Shura: 10]
And He said:“Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad PBUH) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e., to convey Allah’s Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to convey (the message) in a clear way (i.e., to preach in a plain way).”
[An-Nur: 54]
“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah; verily, Allah is severe in punishment.”
[Al-Hashr: 7]
And He said:“O you who believe! Make not (a decision) in advance before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
[Al-Hujurat: 1]
And He said:“O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart (i.e., He prevents an evil person from deciding anything). And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered.”
[Al-Anfal: 24]
And He said:“The only saying of the faithful believers when they are called to Allah (His Words, the Qur'an) and His Messenger (Muhammad PBUH), to judge between them, is that they say: ‘We hear and we obey.’ And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise). And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful.”
[An-Nur: 51-52]
And He said:“Verily, those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah (Alone),’ and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): ‘Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!’”
[Fussilat: 30]
And He said:“Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not ordained?”
[Ash-Shura: 21]
And He said:“So those who believe in him (Muhammad PBUH), honor him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur'an) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful.”
[Al-A’raf: 157]
And when the jinn listened to the Qur'an and returned to their people as warners, He said:“O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allah’s Caller (i.e., Allah’s Messenger Muhammad PBUH) and believe in him. He (Allah) will forgive you your sins, and will save you from a painful torment (i.e., Hell). And whosoever does not respond to Allah’s Caller, he cannot escape from Allah’s punishment in the earth, and there will be no Auliya' (lords, helpers, supporters, protectors) for him besides Allah. Those are in manifest error.”
[Al-Ahqaf: 31-32]