by intentions, and each person will have only what he intended. Whoever migrates for Allah and His Messenger, his migration is for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever migrates for some worldly gain or a woman he wishes to marry, his migration is for whatever he migrated for.”

If, however, he moves from one school of law to another for a religious reason—for example, because it becomes clear to him that one view is stronger than another, and he therefore adopts the view he considers closer to the guidance of Allah and His Messenger—he is rewarded for doing so. Indeed, whenever the ruling of Allah and His Messenger on a matter becomes clear to anyone, he must neither depart from it nor follow anyone in opposing Allah and His Messenger. For Allah has made obedience to His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, obligatory upon everyone in every circumstance. Allah Most High says:

“But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you 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 submission.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’”

And Allah Most High says:

“It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice in their affair.”

Imam Ahmad wrote a book on obedience to the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This is a matter of agreement among the imams of the Muslims: obeying Allah and His Messenger, regarding as lawful what Allah and His Messenger have made lawful, regarding as forbidden what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and regarding as obligatory what Allah and His Messenger have made obligatory are duties incumbent upon all humankind and jinn; they are obligatory upon