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We have been commanded to believe in what the prophets—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon them all—were given, and to follow them and their guidance. Allah Most High says:

“Say: We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and what Moses and Jesus were given, and what the prophets were given by their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance.”

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is the Seal of the Prophets; there is no prophet after him. His law has abrogated those parts of earlier prophets’ laws that it supersedes. Thus, no path to Allah remains except through following Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Whatever acts of worship he commanded, whether as obligations or recommendations, are prescribed in religion. The same applies to whatever he encouraged and whose reward and merit he mentioned.

It is not permissible to declare something recommended or prescribed in religion without evidence from revelation, nor is it permissible to establish a religious ruling on the basis of a weak hadith. However, if an act has been established as recommended through evidence from revelation, and reports describing its merits are transmitted through weak chains, those reports may be narrated provided they are not known to be false. This is because the amounts of reward are unknown. Thus, if a hadith concerning the amount of reward is transmitted and is not known to be false, it is not permissible to reject it as false