The Eleventh Point

The Second Point: Love for Allah requires following the SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims. of Muhammed (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him). For to love Allah means to act in accordance with His good pleasure, and what is pleasing to Him is manifested in its most perfect form in the person of Muhammed (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him). There are two reasons why it is necessary to follow the actions and conduct of Muhammed (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him).

The first reason: Loving Allah requires both obeying Him and acting in ways that earn His good pleasure. This, in turn, makes it necessary to follow Muhammed (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him), for he is the most perfect guide in this regard.

The second reason: Since Muhammed (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him) is the foremost means through which humanity receives countless divine blessings, he is certainly worthy of boundless love for the sake of Allah. By nature, people desire to resemble those whom they love whenever such resemblance is possible. Therefore, those who love HabībullāhThe Beloved of Allah; a title of our Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). should strive to resemble him by following his SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims..

The Third Point: Just as Allah possesses infinite mercy, He also possesses infinite love. He makes Himself beloved in infinite ways through all the beauty and adornment found in the creatures of the universe. And He especially loves those conscious beings who respond with love to the manner in which He makes Himself beloved.

It is therefore clear how lofty and significant a goal it is to seek the love of the One of Whose mercy all the subtleties, beauties, delights, and blessings of Paradise are but a single manifestation. Since the Qur’an declares that His love is attained only through following the SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims. of Muhammed (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him), it follows without doubt that adhering to his SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims. should be humanity’s highest aim and most important duty.

The Eleventh Point

This consists of three matters.

The First Matter

The SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims. of the Noble Prophet (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him) has three sources: his words, his actions, and his conduct. Each of these is further divided into three categories: obligatory duties, recommended acts of worship, and his blessed customs.

The obligatory duties: These must be followed, and everyone is responsible for observing them. Neglecting them entails accountability and punishment.

The recommended acts of worship: Believers are likewise encouraged to follow these as a means of attaining the love of Allah. However, neglecting them does not incur punishment. Even so, observing and following them brings immense reward. Altering or modifying them is considered bidahA religious innovation not prescribed by the Qur’an or the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and misguidance, and constitutes a grave error.

His blessed customs and praiseworthy practices: It is highly commendable, wise, and beneficial to emulate and follow them in one’s personal and social life. For not only does each of his ordinary practices contain numerous benefits for human life, but by following his example, those everyday habits and customs themselves become acts of worship.