First:
This is what it means to follow the Sunnah and Islamic law. For if the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, practised one form at times and another at other times, without consistently adhering to either, then following his example in this is the prescribed way of emulating and following him: doing what he did, in the manner in which he did it, because he did it.

Second:
This unites the hearts of the Muslim community, brings them into harmony, and removes much of the division, discord and pursuit of whims among them. This secures a great benefit and averts a great harm. The Quran and Sunnah urge us to secure the former and avert the latter. Allah Most High says:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”

He also says:

“And do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them.”

And He says:

“Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them.”

Third:
This prevents a permissible practice established by the Sunnah from being made to resemble an obligation. Consistent adherence to something recommended or permissible makes it resemble an obligation. Thus, if most of those who consistently adhere to certain permissible or recommended forms were to adopt another form, the change would provoke greater aversion in their own hearts and in those of others than neglecting many obligatory duties would. This is because habit has made what is permissible seem obligatory.

Fourth:
This secures the benefit of each of these forms, for every form necessarily has a distinctive quality, even if it is less preferable. How much more so, then, if it is