Thus He made obedience due to Allah and the Messenger, but reverent fear and mindfulness due to Allah alone.
Allah Most High says:
“If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and had said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His bounty, and so will His Messenger. Indeed, to Allah we turn in hope.’”
Thus, giving is attributed to both Allah and the Messenger:
“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”
What is lawful is what the Messenger of Allah has declared lawful; what is forbidden is what he has forbidden; and religion is what he has prescribed. No one, whether of earlier or later generations, may depart from obedience to him or from his law. Whoever does not acknowledge him inwardly and outwardly is a disbeliever who will abide in the Fire forever.
The best of the righteous spiritual guides and Allah’s pious friends are those who follow him most closely, are nearest to him, know his religion best, and are most obedient to his commands—such as Abū Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmān, ‘Alī, and all those who followed them in righteousness.
As for sufficiency, it belongs to Allah alone. Hence they said:
“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.”
They did not say, “and His Messenger.” As Allah Most High says:
“Those to whom people said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But this only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’”
Allah Most High also says:
“O Prophet, Allah is sufficient for you and for those believers who follow you.”
That is, Allah alone is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you. He alone suffices them, for to Him, glorified is He, belong sovereignty and all praise, and He is sufficient for His servant. As Allah Most High says:
“Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?”
Allah Most High also says:
“When My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near. I answer the supplication of the supplicant when he calls upon Me”—to the end of the verse.