“It is not for a believing man or a believing woman…”

“So let those who oppose his command beware.”

Such passages are numerous.

As for following the early generations, several verses provide evidence. First are those already mentioned, such as His words, “and those in authority”; “if you disagree”; “and the believers”; and:

“Honor belongs to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers.”

If the believers were to depart from truth and guidance, they would not then possess honor in that respect, because falsehood and misguidance are not part of the faith by which honor is merited. Honor is conditional upon faith, as He says:

“Do not lose heart or grieve, for you will have the upper hand if you are believers.”

Another is His saying:

“Guide us to the straight path—the path of those You have blessed, not those who have incurred Your anger, nor those who have gone astray.”

He commanded us to ask Him for guidance to their path. He also said:

“Those will be with the ones whom Allah has blessed”—and the rest of the verse, which contains the evidence.

Another is His saying:

“Follow the path of those who turn to Me.”

The believers among the early generations turned to Him; hence their path must be followed.

Another is His saying:

“Follow those who ask no reward of you and are rightly guided.”

The early generations were likewise.

Another is His saying:

“And follows a path other than that of the believers.”

Whoever departs from their consensus