Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah sanctify his soul—said:

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If the two testimonies of faith constitute the foundation of the religion and its branches, with all its other pillars and subdivisions encompassed within them, then worship is bound up with obedience to Allah and His Messenger, as the Most High says:

“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those whom Allah has blessed: the prophets, those steadfast in truth, the martyrs, and the righteous.”

He also says in the verse prescribed for recitation in the Sermon of Need:

“O you who believe, fear Allah and speak words that are right.”

“He will set right your deeds for you and forgive you your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed achieved a great triumph.”

The sermon also contains these words:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has followed right guidance. Whoever disobeys them harms only himself and does not harm Allah at all.”

He says:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and is mindful of Him—it is they who will triumph.”

He also says:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide there forever. That is the great triumph.”

“Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will admit him to a Fire in which he will abide forever, and he will have a humiliating punishment.”

Likewise, He made matters dependent upon love for Allah and His Messenger, as in His words:

“more beloved to you than Allah