Following the ways of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, [related by Al-Bukhari] Following the ways of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is clear proof of one’s belief in him. To claim one believes in the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) but not follow his ways is a false claim. Belief is what has become settled in the heart and what is verified by one’s actions. Allah tests and examines those who claim to love the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) by saying, {Say [O Messenger of Allah], ´If you love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you for your wrong actions. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.´ Say [O Messenger of Allah], ´Obey Allah and the Messenger.´ Then if they turn away, Allah does not love the disbelievers} [Surah Al-Imran: 31-32] He (Glorified is He) also says, {So accept whatever the Messenger gives you and abstain from whatever he forbids you} [Surah Al-Hashr: 7] Allah clarified that His mercy is only given to those who follow the Messenger of Allah Muhammed (peace be upon him) and take him as their role model. Allah (Glorified is He) says, {My mercy extends to all things, but I will prescribe it for those who are righteous and pay zakat (obligatory alms), and those who believe in Our signs: those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet} [Surah Al-Araf: 156-157] And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, [related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim] This hadith lays down one of the great, well-known rules in Islam. Moreover, Allah (Glorified is He) warns those who do not follow the Messenger of Allah’s guidance, that is those who do not obey his orders, with a painful punishment. He (Glorified is He) says, {Those who oppose his command should beware of a testing trial that will come to them or a painful punishment that will strike them} [Surah An-Nur: 63] There are different ways people do not follow the Messenger of Allah’s guidance: by not being bothered or interested about what the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said; by claiming that the Quran by itself is sufficient and one does not need the Messenger of Allah’s Sunnah (collection of sayings, deeds and silent approvals of the Messenger of Allah); and by talking badly about the Messenger of Allah’s Sunnah and saying it is not suitable for the present era. All such people do not pass the following test, {Say [O Messenger of Allah], ´If you love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you for your wrong actions. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.´ Say [O Messenger of Allah], ´Obey Allah and the Messenger.´ Then if they turn away, Allah does not love the disbelievers} [Surah Al-Imran: 31-32]