And He also says: “Let those who oppose his command beware, lest a trial befall them or a painful punishment overtake them” (al-Nūr 24:63). “His command” here means the command of the Messenger, so obedience to the Messenger ﷺ is imperative.

Second: to believe him in everything he reports. The Messenger ﷺ has informed us of many matters that are hidden from our senses: he told us about Allah, about the angels, about unseen realities, about events still to come—such as the establishment of the Hour, its signs, Paradise, and Hell—and about events of the past concerning the conditions of former nations. One must therefore affirm as true everything he conveys, for what he says is pure truth, containing no falsehood. Allah the Exalted says: “Nor does he speak from his own desire; it is nothing but revelation sent down” (al-Najm 53:3-4).

The Messenger ﷺ does not speak these reports, commands, or prohibitions from himself; he speaks only through revelation from Allah. His reports are therefore true, and whoever does not believe him in what he relates is not a believer and is not sincere in his testimony that he is the Messenger of Allah. How can someone testify that he is Allah’s Messenger and yet deny what he reports? How can someone testify that he is Allah’s Messenger and yet fail to obey his command?!

Third: to avoid whatever he has forbidden and censured. Shun whatever the Messenger ﷺ has prohibited; he has forbidden you from many statements, actions, and traits, and do not