I say: The wording of the hadith in Sahīh Muslim, narrated by Jābir, is that the Prophet said in his sermon on the Day of ‘Arafah: “And I have left among you that which, if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah.” It mentions neither “my household” nor “my Sunnah.”

Likewise, Sahīh al-Bukhārī reports that Ibn Abī Awfā was asked, “Did the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, leave a bequest?” He replied, “No.” He was then asked, “How could he not have left a bequest when people have been commanded to do so?” He replied, “He left instructions to follow the Book of Allah.”

Sahīh al-Bukhārī also reports that ‘Umar addressed the people on the day after the Prophet’s death, saying: “Allah Most High has placed among you a light by which you may be guided, and by which Allah guided Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. So hold fast to it, and you will be guided by that with which