Obey vs Follow

Obey vs Follow

(Date written : 17 May 2015)

1) Who should we Obey ?


a) We should Obey Allah and His Messenger :

Aal-i-Imraan : 32

قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكٰفِرِينَ

● Say, "OBEY (AT°II'UU) Allah and the Messenger." But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the DISOBEYS. ●

Aal-i-Imraan : 132

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

● And OBEY (AT°II'UU) Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy. ●

An-Nisaa : 64

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوٓا أَنفُسَهُمْ جَآءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا

● And We did not send any MESSENGER except to be OBEYED (UT°OO'A) by permission of Allah. And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting of repentance and Merciful. ●

Ash-Shu'araa : 107

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

● Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy MESSENGER. ●

Ash-Shu'araa : 108

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

● So be concius of Allah and OBEY me (WAT°II'UUN). ●

An-Noor : 56

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَءَاتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

● And establish prayer and give zakah and OBEY (AT°II'UU) the MESSENGER - that you may receive mercy. ●

Al-Maaida : 92

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَاحْذَرُوا ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَاعْلَمُوٓا أَنَّمَا عَلٰى رَسُولِنَا الْبَلٰغُ الْمُبِينُ

● And OBEY (AT°II'UU) ALLAH and OBEY (AT°II'UU) the MEESSENGER and beware. And if you turn away - then know that upon Our Messenger is only [the responsibility for] clear notification. ●

An-Nisaa : 80

مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلّٰى فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا

● Whoever OBEYS (YUT°I'I) the Messenger has OBEYED (AT°OO'A) Allah; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian. ●

b) We should Obey the ULIL AMRI :

An-Nisaa : 59

يٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِى الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْءَاخِرِ ۚ ذٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا

● O you who have believed, OBEY (AT°II'UU) Allah and OBEY the Messenger and those in AUTHORITY (ULIL AMRI) among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result. ●

c) Woman should Obey the Husband :

An-Nisaa : 34

الرِّجَالُ قَوّٰمُونَ عَلَى النِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلٰى بَعْضٍ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَالصّٰلِحٰتُ قٰنِتٰتٌ حٰفِظٰتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَالّٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا

● Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if THEY OBEY YOU (AT°O'NAKUM) [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand. ●


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2) Who should  we FOLLOW ?


a) We should FOLLOW AL-QURAN :

Al-A'raaf : 3

اتَّبِعُوا مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ

● FOLLOW (ITTABI'U), [O mankind], what has been REVEALED to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember. ●

Al-An'aam : 106

اتَّبِعْ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

● FOLLOW, WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO YOU FROM YOUR LORD - there is no God except Him - and turn away from those who associate others with Allah. ●

Al-An'aam : 155

وَهٰذَا كِتٰبٌ أَنزَلْنٰهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

● And this [Qur'an] is A BOOK WE HAVE REVEALED [which is] blessed, so FOLLOW IT and be Concius of Allah that you may receive mercy. ●

Al-Baqara : 170

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَآ أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَنَآ ۗ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ

● And when it is said to them, "FOLLOW WHAT ALLAH HAS REVEALED," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided? ●

Yunus : 109

وَاتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحٰىٓ إِلَيْكَ وَاصْبِرْ حَتّٰى يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحٰكِمِينَ

● And FOLLOW (WATTABI') WHAT IS REVEALED TO YOU, and be patient until Allah will judge. And He is the best of judges. ●

Az-Zumar : 55

وَاتَّبِعُوٓا أَحْسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ

● And FOLLOW (WATTABI'U) the best of what was REVEALED to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, ●

Luqman : 21

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَنَآ ۚ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ الشَّيْطٰنُ يَدْعُوهُمْ إِلٰى عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ

● And when it is said to them, "FOLLOW (ITTABI'U) what Allah has REVEALED," they say, "Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers." Even if Satan was inviting them to the punishment of the Blaze? ●


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b) We should FOLLOW Prophet and Messenger Muhammad PBUH :

Aal-i-Imraan : 31

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

● Say, [O Muhammad], "If you love Allah, then FOLLOW ME (FATTABI'UUNI), [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." ●

Aal-i-Imraan : 95

قُلْ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ ۗ فَاتَّبِعُوا مِلَّةَ إِبْرٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

● Say, "Allah has told the truth. So FOLLOW THE MILLAH OF ABRAHAM, the upright; and he was not of the polytheists." ●

Al-An'aam : 153

وَأَنَّ هٰذَا صِرٰطِى مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۚ ذٰلِكُمْ وَصّٰىكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

● And, [moreover], this is THE STRAIGHT PATH, SO FOLLOW IT (FATTABI'UHU); and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous. ●

Al-A'raaf : 158

قُلْ يٰٓأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا الَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ النَّبِىِّ الْأُمِّىِّ الَّذِى يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَكَلِمٰتِهِۦ وَاتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

● Say, [O Muhammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and FOLLOW HIM (WATTABI'UHU) so that you may be guided. ●

Previous people should follow their Rasul :

Yaseen : 20

وَجَآءَ مِنْ أَقْصَا الْمَدِينَةِ رَجُلٌ يَسْعٰى قَالَ يٰقَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوا الْمُرْسَلِينَ

● And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, FOLLOW THE MESSENGERS (MURSALIN). ●

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c) Prophet Muhammad is ORDERED to Follow the MILLAH of IBRAHIM (ABRAHAM) :

An-Nahl : 123

ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

● Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to FOLLOW THE MILLAH OF ABRAHAM, the upright; and he was not of those who associate with Allah. ●

Al-Hajj : 78

وَجٰهِدُوا فِى اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِۦ ۚ هُوَ اجْتَبٰىكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرٰهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمّٰىكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِى هٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَءَاتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلٰىكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلٰى وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ

● And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the MILLAH of your father, ABRAHAM. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. .. ●

Abraham was saying to his father :

Maryam : 43

يٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى قَدْ جَآءَنِى مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَاتَّبِعْنِىٓ أَهْدِكَ صِرٰطًا سَوِيًّا

● O my father, indeed there has come to me of KNOWLEDGE that which has not come to you, so FOLLOW ME (FATTABI'NI) [ABRAHAM]; I will guide you to an even path. ●

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d) We should follow the SYARI'AT :

Al-Jaathiya : 18

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنٰكَ عَلٰى شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

● Then We put you, [O Muhammad] on an ORDAINED WAY (SYARI'AT) concerning the matter [of religion]; so FOLLOW IT (FATTABI'HA) and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know. ●

e) We should follow THE BELIEVER

Al-Ghaafir : 38

وَقَالَ الَّذِىٓ ءَامَنَ يٰقَوْمِ اتَّبِعُونِ أَهْدِكُمْ سَبِيلَ الرَّشَادِ

● And he who BELIEVED (AMANA) said, "O my people, FOLLOW ME (ITTABI'UUNI), I will guide you to the way of right conduct. ●

f) We should follow the one who does not demand anything (payment) from us :

Yaseen : 21

اتَّبِعُوا مَن لَّا يَسْـَٔلُكُمْ أَجْرًا وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

● FOLLOW (ITTABI'U) those who do not ask of you [any] PAYMENT, and they are [rightly] guided. ●

g) We should follow the WAY of people who RETURN TO ALLAH :

Luqman : 15

وَإِن جٰهَدَاكَ عَلٰىٓ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِى الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَىَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

● But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and FOLLOW (WATTABI') the way of those who TURN BACK to Me (ANAB) [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do. ●

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3) Who we should NOT OBEY and should NOT FOLLOW :

Al-An'aam : 116

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِى الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ

● And if you OBEY (TUT°I') MOST of those upon the earth, they will MISLEAD (YUD°ILLU) you from the way of Allah. They FOLLOW not except ASSUMPTION (Z°AN), and they are not but GUESSING (YAKHRUSUN). ●

4) Conclusion.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to REALIZE that NONE of the verses of Allah asking us TO OBEY and FOLLOW the so-called SCHOLARS or 'ULAMA' simply because WE ARE ALL ASKED or ORDERED to become KNOWLEDGEABLE or to become ULAMA.

We cannot OBEY or FOLLOW 'OURSELVES '.

We have to be Knowledgeable or ULAMA ourselves, because if we are not, we will NEVER FEAR Allah :

Faatir : 28

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَآبِّ وَالْأَنْعٰمِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوٰنُهُۥ كَذٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰٓؤُا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ

● And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. ONLY FEAR ALLAH, from among His servants, ARE THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE (ULAMA). Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving. ●

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