two meanings:

1. Everything the Prophet ﷺ does is good in itself; therefore, following his example is good.

2. We have been commanded to emulate him with a sound emulation—adding nothing to what he has laid down and omitting nothing from it—for either addition or subtraction would contradict what is good. Hence we are enjoined to imitate him, and whatever we imitate him in is necessarily good.

From this verse the scholars have deduced that the Prophet’s actions constitute authoritative proof and a precedent to be followed, unless evidence shows that a given act was specific to him alone. Whenever such evidence exists, that matter remains exclusive to him, as in the Almighty’s words: “O Prophet, We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their bridal gifts and those whom your right hand possesses from what Allah has granted you…” and, further on, “and any believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet, should the Prophet wish to marry her—this is exclusively for you, not for the believers” (al-Aḥzāb 33:50). Whatever falls under his special privileges is confined to him.

Another instance is wiṣāl (consecutive fasting), meaning that a person fasts two days without taking any nourishment in between. The Prophet ﷺ forbade it. They said, “Messenger of Allah, you fast consecutively—how then do you forbid us?” He replied, “I am not like you; I am given food and drink.” In another narration: “During the night my Lord feeds me and gives me drink,” meaning that Allah nourishes him and gives him drink with