for those who fear Me and give zakat, and those who believe in Our signs.”

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find described in the Torah and the Gospel they possess. He enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong, makes good things lawful for them and foul things unlawful, and relieves them of their burden and the shackles that were upon them. Those who believe in him, honour him, support him, and follow the light sent down with him—it is they who will prosper.”

Allah commanded the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to observe all that is right, forbade all that is wrong, made all good things lawful, and made all foul things unlawful. It is authentically reported from him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in the Sahīh that he said:

“Every prophet Allah sent was duty-bound to guide his people to what he knew was best for them and forbid them what he knew was worst for them.”

It is also authentically reported that al-‘Irbād ibn Sāriyah said:

“The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—gave us an exhortation that made our hearts tremble and our eyes shed tears. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, this seems like a farewell exhortation. What, then, do you charge us with?’ He replied, ‘I counsel you to listen and obey, for whoever among you lives after me will see much disagreement. Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs who come after me. Hold fast to it and bite firmly onto it with your molars. Beware of newly introduced matters, for every innovation is misguidance.’”

It is authentically reported that he—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“There is nothing that keeps you away from the Fire that I have not told you about.”

He also said:

“I have left you on a clear, bright path, whose night is like its day. None will deviate from it after me except one who is doomed.”