It has thus become clear that this term has given rise to verbal(1), linguistic, terminological, rational, and revealed-law disputes sufficient to demonstrate that Muslims must hold fast to the Quran and the Sunnah, as Allah Most High commanded them in His words:
“Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided.”
[Surah Āl Imrān: 103],
and His words, Most High:
“Alif Lām Mīm Sād. A Book has been sent down to you—so let there be no unease in your heart concerning it—that you may warn by it, and as a reminder to the believers. Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow any protectors besides Him. How little you take heed!”
[Surah al-Arāf: 1–3],
and His words:
“This is My path, straight, so follow it; and do not follow the other ways, lest they part you from His way.”
[Surah al-Anām: 153],
and His words:
“Humanity was one community. Then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of glad tidings and warners, and sent down with them the Book in truth to judge between people concerning that over which they differed. None differed concerning it except those who had been given it, after clear proofs had come to them, out of mutual envy. Then, by His permission, Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed. Allah guides whomever He wills to a straight path.”
[Surah al-Baqara: 213],
and His words:
“O you who believe, obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you. If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and leads to the best outcome. Have you not seen those who claim to believe in what was sent down to you and what was sent down before you? They wish to seek judgment from false authorities, though they were commanded to reject them. Satan wishes to lead them far astray. When they are told, ‘Come to what Allah has sent down and to the Messenger,’ you see the hypocrites turn resolutely away from you.”
[Surah