When Allah, the Lord of Glory, sent down Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and his wife Hawwa (peace be upon her) from Paradise to Earth, He established a fundamental ruling that there would be a clear system of life for all the descendants of Adam until the Day of Judgment. Whoever follows this system of guidance will be successful and prosperous, and whoever disobeys it will deserve destruction and Hell.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَاِمَّا يَاْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِّنِّيْ هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ وَالَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَكَذَّبُوْا بِاٰيٰتِنَآ اُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ﴾
Translation:
“We said, ‘Descend from here, all of you. Then if guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will neither fear nor grieve. But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs—they are the companions of Hell, abiding therein eternally.'”
Allah Almighty has explained this concept further at another place with more clarity:
﴿فَاِمَّا يَاْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِّنِّيْ هُدًى فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقٰى وَمَنْ اَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِيْ فَاِنَّ لَهٗ مَعِيْشَةً ضَنْكًا وَّنَحْشُرُهٗ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ اَعْمٰى﴾
Translation:
“Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor suffer. And whoever turns away from My remembrance—indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will raise him on the Day of Resurrection blind.”
From these noble verses, it becomes as clear as daylight that following guidance leads to peace, tranquility in this world, and salvation in the Hereafter, while turning away from guidance causes hardship in this world and destruction in the Hereafter.
The Fundamental Question: What is Guidance?
Here arises a fundamental question: What exactly is that guidance whose following we have been commanded?
The answer to this question is given by the Quran itself. Allah Almighty says:
﴿اَللّٰهُ نَزَّلَ اَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيْثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ﴾
Translation:
“Allah has sent down the best statement, a consistent Book wherein is reiteration.”
He further says:
﴿ذٰلِكَ هُدَى اللّٰهِ يَهْدِيْ بِهٖ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ﴾
Translation:
“This is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills.”
This verse clearly and explicitly states that this book revealed by Allah is the true guidance.
Quran: Guidance and Mercy for the Believers
Allah Almighty further says:
﴿وَاِنَّهٗ لَهُدًى وَّرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ﴾
Translation:
“And indeed, this (Quran) is guidance and mercy for the believers.”
At another place He says:
﴿ذٰلِكَ الْكِتٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيْهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِيْنَ﴾
Translation:
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous.”
And describing its status for all of humanity, He says:
﴿شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ﴾
Translation:
“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for all people.”
From all these verses, it is established that the Quran is the very book which Allah Almighty has declared as the source of guidance.
How Does the Quran Guide?
Allah Almighty Himself explains the method of guidance of the Quran:
﴿قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ نُوْرٌ وَّكِتَابٌ مُّبِيْنٌ يَهْدِيْ بِهِ اللّٰهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهٗ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ﴾
Translation:
“A clear light and a clear Book have come to you from Allah, through which Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the paths of peace.”
This very Quran takes people out of darkness towards light and guides them to the straight path.
The Command to Hold Firmly to the Rope of Allah
Allah Almighty has given the believers a great principle for unity and guidance:
﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللّٰهِ جَمِيْعًا وَّلَا تَفَرَّقُوا﴾
Translation:
“Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”
At the end of this verse, it is stated that Allah makes His signs clear so that you may be guided. From this, it is understood that the rope of Allah is actually His signs, that is, the Holy Quran.
Explanation of the Rope of Allah in Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ further explained this:
((أَلَا وَاِنِّيْ تَارِكٌ فِيْكُمْ ثَقَلَيْنِ، أَوَّلُهُمَا كِتَابُ اللّٰهِ، فِيْهِ الْهُدٰى وَالنُّوْرُ))
Translation:
“Beware! I am leaving among you two heavy things, the first of which is the Book of Allah, in which there is guidance and light.”
In one narration, he said:
((كِتَابُ اللّٰهِ هُوَ حَبْلُ اللّٰهِ، مَنِ اتَّبَعَهٗ كَانَ عَلَى الْهُدٰى))
Translation:
“The Book of Allah is indeed the rope of Allah; whoever follows it will be on guidance.”
Obedience to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ Along with the Quran
It is obvious that the Holy Quran cannot be properly understood nor fully implemented without the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. That is why Allah Almighty Himself has made obedience to the Prophet ﷺ obligatory in the Quran.
1️⃣ The command to accept the orders of the Prophet ﷺ
﴿وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوْا﴾
Translation:
“And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it.”
2️⃣ Obedience to the Prophet ﷺ = Guidance
﴿قُلْ اَطِيْعُوا اللّٰهَ وَاَطِيْعُوا الرَّسُوْلَ فَاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُمْ مَا حُمِّلْتُمْ وَاِنْ تُطِيْعُوْهُ تَهْتَدُوْا﴾
Translation:
“Say! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, then upon the Messenger is only that which is entrusted to him, and upon you is that which is entrusted to you. And if you obey him, you will be rightly guided.”
3️⃣ Faith is completed only through obedience to the Prophet ﷺ
﴿فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ حَتّٰى يُحَكِّمُوْكَ فِيْمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ﴾
Translation:
“By your Lord, they will never become believers until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves.”
Sunnah is also revelation
It is a very important principle that the Holy Prophet ﷺ does not speak on his own, rather whatever he says is revelation from Allah.
﴿وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوٰى اِنْ هُوَ اِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُّوْحٰى﴾
Translation:
“And he does not speak from his own desire. It is only a revelation that is revealed.”
➡️ From this verse, it is proven that the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is also divine revelation, although it was not revealed word for word like the Quran.
4️⃣ What did the Prophet ﷺ leave for the Ummah? The Book and the Sunnah: Protection from Misguidance
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage:
((تَرَكْتُ فِيْكُمْ مَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوْا بَعْدَهٗ اِنِ اعْتَصَمْتُمْ بِهٖ: كِتَابَ اللّٰهِ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّهٖ))
Translation:
“I am leaving among you something; if you hold fast to it firmly, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet.”
In another hadith, he said:
((تَرَكْتُ فِيْكُمْ شَيْئَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوْا بَعْدَهُمَا: كِتَابَ اللّٰهِ وَسُنَّتِي))
Translation:
“I am leaving among you two things, after which you will never be misguided: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
The Best Matter and the Best Way
Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه narrates:
((أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَاِنَّ خَيْرَ الْحَدِيْثِ كِتَابُ اللّٰهِ، وَخَيْرَ الْهَدْيِ هَدْيُ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ، وَشَرَّ الْاُمُوْرِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا، وَكُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ))
Translation:
“Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ﷺ, and the worst matters are those newly invented in the religion, and every innovation is misguidance.”
Criterion of Reward and Punishment: Obedience to the Messenger ﷺ
﴿وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَهٗ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنّٰتٍ﴾
Translation:
“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow.”
﴿وَمَنْ يَّعْصِ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَهٗ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُوْدَهٗ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا﴾
Translation:
“And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will admit him to the Fire.”
What is the Straight Path?
﴿وَاَنَّ هٰذَا صِرَاطِيْ مُسْتَقِيْمًا فَاتَّبِعُوْهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ﴾
Translation:
“And this is My straight path, so follow it and do not follow other ways.”
Explanation of the Hadith
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud رضي الله عنه says:
((هٰذَا صِرَاطُ اللّٰهِ مُسْتَقِيْمًا، وَهٰذِهِ السُّبُلُ عَلٰى كُلِّ سَبِيْلٍ شَيْطَانٌ))
Translation:
“This is the straight path of Allah, and on every other path to the right or left, Satan sits.”
Saved Sect: The Group Established on the Book and Sunnah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((افْتَرَقَتِ الْيَهُوْدُ عَلٰى اِحْدٰى وَسَبْعِيْنَ فِرْقَةً، وَسَتَفْتَرِقُ اُمَّتِيْ عَلٰى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِيْنَ فِرْقَةً))
“The Jews divided into seventy-one sects, and my Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects.”
The Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم) asked: Who will be the one to attain salvation?
He (ﷺ) said:
((مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي))
Translation:
“The group that will be upon the way on which I and my Companions are.”
Solution to Disagreement: Referring to the Quran and Sunnah
﴿فَاِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِيْ شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوْهُ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ﴾
Translation:
“So if you differ in anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger.”
Every Issue Has a Solution in the Quran and Sunnah
﴿وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ﴾
Translation:
“We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things.”
The Final Declaration of the Prophet ﷺ
((مَا بَقِيَ شَيْءٌ يُقَرِّبُكُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ اِلَّا وَقَدْ بُيِّنَ لَكُمْ))
Translation:
“There is nothing left that brings one closer to Paradise except that it has been explained to you.”
Understanding the Quran and Sunnah According to the Understanding of the Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم)
It has been repeatedly clarified that only the Quran and Sunnah are the sources of guidance, but it is equally necessary to understand the Quran and Sunnah according to the understanding of the Noble Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم), because they were the direct students of the Noble Prophet ﷺ and the first addressees of the religion.
1️⃣ The Faith of the Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم) is the Standard
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَاِنْ اٰمَنُوْا بِمِثْلِ مَا اٰمَنْتُمْ بِهٖ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْا﴾
Translation:
“So if they had believed as you have believed, they would have been rightly guided.”
From this verse, it is established that the faith of the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) is the standard of guidance for those who come after.
2️⃣ Warning against abandoning the path of the Companions (RA)
﴿وَمَنْ يُّشَاقِقِ الرَّسُوْلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدٰى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيْلِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ نُوَلِّهٖ مَا تَوَلّٰى وَنُصْلِهٖ جَهَنَّمَ﴾
Translation:
“And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows a path other than that of the believers – We will turn him to what he has turned to and burn him in Hell, and evil it is as a destination.”
Here, the path of the believers refers to the path of the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them), because at the time of the revelation of the Quran, they were the true believers.
Who is the saved sect?
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((اِفْتَرَقَتِ الْيَهُوْدُ عَلٰى اِحْدٰى وَسَبْعِيْنَ فِرْقَةً، وَافْتَرَقَتِ النَّصَارٰى عَلٰى اثْنَتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِيْنَ فِرْقَةً، وَسَتَفْتَرِقُ اُمَّتِيْ عَلٰى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِيْنَ فِرْقَةً، كُلُّهَا فِي النَّارِ اِلَّا وَاحِدَةً))
“The Jews split into seventy-one sects, and the Christians split into seventy-one sects, and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects; all of them will be in the Hellfire except one.”
The Companions asked: Which one is that?
He said:
((مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي))
Translation:
“The group that follows the way on which I and my companions are.”
➡️ It is clear from this that the saved sect is the one that adopts the Quran and Sunnah according to the understanding of the Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم).
Encouragement to Follow the Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((اِنْ يُطِيْعُوْا اَبَا بَكْرٍ وَّعُمَرَ يَرْشُدُوْا))
Translation:
“If people obey Abu Bakr and Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما), they will be rightly guided.”
And the famous saying of Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہ):
(مَنْ كَانَ مُسْتَنًّا فَلْيَسْتَنَّ بِمَنْ قَدْ مَاتَ، اُولٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ…)
Translation:
“Whoever wants to follow someone, let him follow the Companions of Muhammad ﷺ, they were the best people of this Ummah… they were on the straight path.”
Rejection of Blind Imitation
Here it must be clearly understood that the four Imams (رحمہم اللہ) themselves were not advocates of blind imitation.
Imam Abu Hanifa (رحمہ اللہ):
(لَا يَحِلُّ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَّأْخُذَ بِقَوْلِنَا مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَخَذْنَاهُ)
“It is not permissible for anyone to take our statement unless he knows from where we took it.”
Imam Malik (رحمہ اللہ):
(كُلُّ أَحَدٍ يُؤْخَذُ مِنْ قَوْلِهٖ وَيُرَدُّ اِلَّا صَاحِبَ هٰذَا الْقَبْرِ)
“Everyone’s statement can be accepted or rejected, except that of the one in the grave (the Prophet ﷺ).”
Imam Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him):
(اِذَا صَحَّ الْحَدِيْثُ فَهُوَ مَذْهَبِي)
“When a hadith becomes authentic, that is my madhhab.”
Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him):
(لَا تُقَلِّدْنِي وَلَا تُقَلِّدْ مَالِكًا وَلَا الشَّافِعِيَّ…)
“Do not follow me, nor Malik, nor Shafi’i… but take from where they took.”
➡️ These statements are clear evidence that imitation is not desired, but following is.
The Danger of Innovation (Bid’ah)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((وَشَرَّ الْاُمُوْرِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا، وَكُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ))
Translation:
“And the worst of deeds is that which is newly invented in the religion, and every innovation is misguidance.”
Therefore, only those actions are valid in religion which are established from the Quran, Sunnah, and understanding of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
Severe Warning Against Weak and Fabricated Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((مَنْ كَذَبَ عَلَيَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهٗ مِنَ النَّارِ))
Translation:
“Whoever deliberately lies upon me, let him prepare his place in Hell.”
And he said:
((كَفٰى بِالْمَرْءِ كَذِبًا أَنْ يُحَدِّثَ بِكُلِّ مَا سَمِعَ))
Translation:
“It is enough for a man to be a liar that he narrates everything he hears.”
➡️ Therefore, neither beliefs nor actions should be established from weak or fabricated hadiths.
Conclusion
The salvation, unity, and success of Muslims lie in
◈ Following only the Quran and Sunnah
◈ Make the methodology of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, the standard.
◈ Avoid innovation, blind imitation, and fabricated traditions.
May Allah grant us the ability to recognize the truth, accept it, and remain steadfast upon it. Ameen.
