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As for the questioner’s inquiry about consistently observing the practices that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, maintained in his worship and daily habits: is this a sunnah, or does it vary according to the circumstances of those who observe them regularly?

The answer is that we are commanded to obey Allah and His Messenger. We must therefore obey the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in whatever he commands us to do. Allah has mentioned obedience to him in more than thirty places in His Book. He, Most High, says:

“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.”

And He says:

“We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by Allah’s permission.”

He has guaranteed felicity to those who obey him, saying:

“They will be with those whom Allah has blessed: the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!”

He has made felicity and misery contingent upon obedience and disobedience to him, saying:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to remain there forever. That is the supreme triumph.”

“And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will admit him into a Fire, to remain there forever, and he will have a humiliating punishment.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in his sermon:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger