3.7.3 Following the Prophet ﷺ

Following the Prophet ﷺ

Following as a Condition of Loving Allah

Following the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is not an extra or optional part of Islam. It is at the heart of faith itself. Allah made obedience to His Messenger the clear proof of true love for Him.

Allah says:

“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.’”
(Qur’an 3:31)

This verse shows that claiming to love Allah is not enough. The claim must be proven by following the Prophet ﷺ. When a person sincerely follows him, Allah promises two immense gifts. The first is that Allah will love that person. The second is that Allah will forgive that person’s sins.

The Prophet ﷺ himself explained that obedience to him is inseparable from obedience to Allah. He said:

“Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

The believer does not see the Prophet’s guidance as one suggestion among many. Rather, his way is the direct path that leads to Allah’s pleasure and mercy.

Obedience to the Messenger and Obedience to Allah

The Qur’an makes it clear that obeying the Prophet ﷺ is an act of worship directed to Allah. It is Allah who commanded the believers to follow His Messenger and to give him their full attention.

Allah says:

“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.”
(Qur’an 4:59)

In this verse, obedience to the Prophet ﷺ is mentioned directly after obedience to Allah. When Muslims differ, they must return to the Qur’an and the Sunnah in order to resolve their disagreements. This shows that the Sunnah is not separate from revelation but is part of the guidance Allah has sent.

Allah also warns those who turn away from the command of the Messenger:

“So let those beware who dissent from his command, lest a trial afflict them or a painful punishment.”
(Qur’an 24:63)

This warning teaches that knowingly opposing the Sunnah is spiritually dangerous. It may lead to misguidance in belief or practice, and even punishment in the Hereafter. For this reason, the Companions were very careful to align their actions with what they knew from the Prophet ﷺ, even in small matters.

The Prophet ﷺ also linked safety and guidance to following his way and the way of his rightly guided successors. He said:

“I urge you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave is placed in authority over you. For whoever lives long among you will see much disagreement. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me. Hold on to it with your molar teeth, and beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is misguidance.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Jāmiʿ at‑Tirmidhī)

This hadith shows that the path of safety during times of confusion is strong attachment to the Sunnah.

The Prophet ﷺ as the Perfect Example

Allah did not only send commands through the Prophet ﷺ. He also presented his life as a living model of how to implement revelation. The Qur’an describes him as an excellent example.

Allah says:

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.”
(Qur’an 33:21)

In this verse Allah directs the believers to look at the Prophet’s conduct if they truly hope to meet Allah and attain Paradise. His example covers all areas of life. It covers worship, family dealings, mercy, justice, courage, humility, patience, and all other noble traits. His Sunnah shows how faith should appear in daily actions and not remain as abstract ideas.

Allah also describes the Prophet ﷺ as a mercy to the worlds:

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Qur’an 21:107)

Following him, therefore, is not a hardship meant to burden people, but a path of mercy, balance, and wisdom. Whoever imitates him in worship and character draws closer to this divine mercy.

The companions understood that success is found in conforming to his example. ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar said about following the Prophet ﷺ closely in Hajj and other acts that they would sometimes perform actions simply because they saw the Prophet do them, even if the reason was not fully clear to them. This showed their awareness that his example leads to what is best.

Accepting His Judgement without Resistance

Another aspect of following the Prophet ﷺ is to accept his decisions with full satisfaction. This refers to matters of law, ethics, and belief that he brought by revelation. A believer does not feel resistance in his or her heart when faced with a clear teaching from the Prophet ﷺ.

Allah states:

“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, then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have decided and submit in full submission.”
(Qur’an 4:65)

This verse ties complete faith to three internal and external responses. The first is to refer disputes to the Prophet’s judgment. The second is to remove any inner discomfort or resentment toward his ruling. The third is to submit fully.

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

“None of you truly believes until his desires follow what I have brought.”
(Reported in al‑Bayhaqī, Shuʿab al‑Īmān)

A person may at first struggle with certain commandments or prohibitions. Yet true following of the Prophet ﷺ means working to align one’s desires with his guidance rather than reshaping his guidance to suit one’s desires.

Following Him in Worship

The Prophet ﷺ did not leave the believers to invent their own ways of worship. Instead, Allah commanded him to teach the precise way that pleases Him. To follow him in worship means shaping acts like prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, and remembrance according to his instructions.

In the matter of prayer, he ﷺ said:

“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī)

This command shows that the form of prayer is not a human design. It is guided by revelation and taught through the Prophet’s own actions. Following him preserves the unity and authenticity of worship among Muslims.

Regarding pilgrimage, he ﷺ said during Hajj:

“Take your rituals from me, for I do not know if I will ever perform Hajj after this Hajj of mine.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

By this instruction he made his performance of the rites a standard for the Ummah. Muslims after him observe the same order and limits in their worship because they are following his example.

Moreover, the Prophet ﷺ warned clearly against adding new acts of worship that he did not teach. He said:

“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

In another narration:

“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter, it will be rejected.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

These texts protect the religion from change and human alteration. Worship is only accepted when it is sincere for Allah and in accordance with the Sunnah of His Messenger.

Following Him in Character and Daily Life

Following the Prophet ﷺ is not limited to rituals. It extends to manners, speech, and dealings with others. Allah praises the Prophet’s character with the words:

“And indeed, you are of a great moral character.”
(Qur’an 68:4)

Among the traits that the Prophet ﷺ embodied and that the believer is called to imitate are truthfulness, mercy, patience, humility, justice, and generosity. His conduct with family, children, the poor, the weak, and even with his enemies shows the depth of his character.

He ﷺ said:

“The most complete of the believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of you are those who are best to their wives.”
(Jāmiʿ at‑Tirmidhī)

He also said:

“I was only sent to perfect righteous character.”
(Musnad Aḥmad)

These narrations show that good character is not a side issue in Islam. It is a core part of following the Prophet ﷺ. When a person refines his manners in light of the Sunnah he is actively walking in the footsteps of the Messenger.

Even in simple daily actions, the Prophet ﷺ gave guidance. This includes matters such as eating and drinking, greeting others, seeking permission, visiting the sick, and dealing with neighbors. Learning and practicing these Sunnah etiquettes turns everyday life into an opportunity to follow him.

Love Accompanied by Obedience

Love for the Prophet ﷺ is a central part of faith, but this love is not merely emotional. It must appear as obedience, respect, and readiness to sacrifice for his message. The Prophet ﷺ stated:

“None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child, and all people.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

This does not mean neglecting family or worldly responsibilities. Rather, it means that when there is a conflict between the Prophet’s command and anyone else’s wishes, the believer gives priority to the Prophet ﷺ.

Allah describes the wrong attitude of placing other loves above the call of Allah and His Messenger:

“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, the wealth you have obtained, commerce in which you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah brings His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.’”
(Qur’an 9:24)

This verse is a serious reminder that nothing in life should be allowed to stand between the believer and obedience to Allah and His Messenger.

Love for him also appears through frequent prayers of blessings upon him, known as ṣalāh upon the Prophet. Allah commands:

“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, send blessings upon him and greetings of peace.”
(Qur’an 33:56)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The closest of people to me on the Day of Resurrection are those who send the most prayers upon me.”
(Jāmiʿ at‑Tirmidhī)

By regularly sending peace and blessings upon him, the believer renews this love and connection, and Allah rewards him in return.

Holding Firm to His Sunnah in Times of Trial

The Prophet ﷺ informed his Ummah that there would come times of difficulty and widespread confusion. In such periods, clinging to the Sunnah becomes even more important and more rewarding.

He ﷺ said:

“Islam began as something strange and will return to being strange as it began, so glad tidings to the strangers.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

In another narration, he described the virtue of those who hold firm to his way during times of corruption:

“Ahead of you are days of patience. Patience in them will be like holding on to hot coals. One who does righteous deeds in them will have the reward of fifty men who do what you do.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, the reward of fifty of them?” He said, “No, rather the reward of fifty of you.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Jāmiʿ at‑Tirmidhī)

This hadith shows that following the Prophet ﷺ does not lose its value when it becomes unpopular. In fact, the reward grows when obedience is difficult and disobedience is easy.

He also gave glad tidings to those who revive forgotten aspects of his Sunnah:

“Whoever revives a Sunnah of mine that has died out after me will have a reward like that of those who act upon it, without their reward decreasing at all.”
(Sunan at‑Tirmidhī)

Holding firm to the Sunnah in belief, worship, and manners becomes a means of guidance for oneself and a source of light for others.

Following Him as a Path to Paradise

The ultimate fruit of following the Prophet ﷺ is success in the Hereafter. The Qur’an links entering Paradise to obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and warns of the result of turning away.

Allah says:

“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, and that is the great success. But whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment.”
(Qur’an 4:13‑14)

This clarifies, in very direct terms, that the path to Paradise is not through ideas or feelings alone but through obedience to Allah and His Messenger. Their commands and limits define the straight path.

The Prophet ﷺ gave the Ummah a clear reassurance that if they hold to the two primary sources he left behind, they will not go astray. He said:

“I have left among you two things, you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them, the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
(Reported in Mālik’s al‑Muwaṭṭaʾ and others)

For the believer who seeks certainty and direction, this is a great comfort. The way forward is not hidden. It is laid out in the Qur’an and clarified by the Sunnah.

A Lifelong Commitment

Following the Prophet ﷺ is a lifelong journey. It begins with accepting his message and continues through learning more of his teachings and gradually shaping one’s life to reflect them. No one will perfectly imitate him, but every step toward his way is a step toward Allah.

Each believer can ask: How closely does my prayer resemble his prayer? How near is my character to his character? How do I respond to difficulties compared to how he responded? How do I treat my family in light of his example?

As knowledge increases, love grows. As love grows, obedience becomes sweeter. Through this process, the Muslim’s heart, words, and actions are illuminated by the light of the Prophetic guidance that Allah praised:

“O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner, and one who invites to Allah by His permission and an illuminating lamp.”
(Qur’an 33:45‑46)

To follow this “illuminating lamp” is to walk in light in this life and to hope for light on the Day when all will stand before Allah.