Are we commanded to follow in the footsteps of Muhammad?

[mclinkin94]

I was arguing with an Atheist (who left Christianity very recently) about how Muhammad was not wrong to marry a 9 year old woman because it was accepted in his society at the time--so he cannot be held accountable for doing an immoral deed. This atheist did not want to even look at Islam because Muhammad was a pedophile.

This was my logic: (you don't have to read)

Premise one: People married young because of the way society was based
Premise two: When the way society is based changes, people considered marrying young immoral
Premise three: Therefore, age in marriage is based on the way society is set up at a certain time
Premise four: Therefore, It is morally acceptable to marry young based on the way ancient society was based and it is NOT morally acceptable to marry young based on the way modern society is based.

So this is good an all and the Atheist accepted this but then he said and I quote "Fine, thank you for showing that the profit was just a child of his time and environment, and NOT a role model for ALL ages to follow
So now we know that 7th century ideas/ideologies were ok for the 7th century and we've moved along
We're in the 21st century can we plz live accordingly?
Can we relegate Islam now to its rightful place? To the history pages?"


I responded to that by saying that: "Where does the Quran say he should be a complete role model? The Quran said to listen to him. The Quran is your role model--that's the book you follow and you should accept it and can accept it for ALL ages to follow.

Muhammad was a mere human being, we should follow how he followed the Quran and how he worshiped God, NOT his personal life. The Quran commands that. I don't have to eat date stalks and grow a beard like Muhammad and completely live as if I was in his personal life"

Now excuse me for saying this, but this is what I really believe, my question is am I wrong? Can you give me Quranic or authentic hadith verses that say we are commanded to do exactly as Muhammad does? Was I missing something.

I know a sunnah is just something we do to respect Muhammad (pbuh) , but is it really required? I don't eat dates, nor have a beard nor marry young...

[Sama]

yes we are, however the 'urf/customs ' are enjoined too as long as they don't contradict direct order from Allah.

It seems your friend doesn't know the meaning of the word pedophile to begin with.
 http://islamic-life-forum.blogspot.com/2013/06/refuting-grave-allegation-by-people-of.html

[ThatMuslimGuy]

AsalamuAlaikum,

"Now excuse me for saying this, but this is what I really believe, my question is am I wrong? Can you give me Quranic or authentic hadith verses that say we are commanded to do exactly as Muhammad does? Was I missing something.

I know a sunnah is just something we do to respect Muhammad (pbuh) , but is it really required? I don't eat dates, nor have a beard nor marry young..."

Source: http://www.islamqa.com/en/604

Praise be to Allaah.

The first question may appear strange and somewhat surprising to committed, practising Muslims. How can something which is so obviously one of the bases of Islaam become a matter for discussion and debate? But since the question has been asked, we will present, with the help of Allaah, the principles and bases of the importance of the Sunnah, the obligation to follow it and the ruling concerning those who reject it. By so doing, we will also refute the doubters and the misguided group who call themselves “Qur’aaniyyeen” (the Qur’aan has nothing to do with them!) In sha Allaah this discussion will be of benefit to everyone who wants to understand the truth of the matter.

Proof of the importance of the Sunnah

(1) The Qur’aan speaks of the importance of the Sunnah, for example:

(a) Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allaah . . .” [al-Nisaa’ 4:80] Allaah described obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him) as being a part of obedience to Him. Then He made a connection between obedience to Him and obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him): “O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger . . .” [al-Nisaa’ 4:59]

(b) Allaah warns us not to go against the Prophet (peace be upon him), and states that whoever disobeys him will be doomed to eternal Hell. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “. . . And let those who oppose the Messenger’s commandment beware, lest some fitnah (trial, affliction, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [al-Nur 24:63]

(c) Allaah has made obedience to His Prophet a religious duty; resisting or opposing it is a sign of hypocrisy: “”But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you [Muhammad] judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” [al-Nisaa’ 4:65]

(d) Allaah commands His slaves to respond to Him and His Messenger: “O you who believe! Answer Allaah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life . . .” [al-Anfaal 8:24]

(e) Allaah also commands His slaves to refer all disputes to him: “. . . (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger . . .” [al-Nisaa’ 4:59]

(2) The Sunnah itself indicates the importance of the Sunnah. For example:

(a) Al-Tirmidhi reported from Abu Raafi’ and others that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I do not want to see any one of you reclining on his couch and, when he hears of my instructions or prohibitions, saying ‘I don’t accept it; we didn’t find any such thing in the Book of Allaah.’” Abu ‘Eesaa said: This is a saheeh hasan hadeeth. (See Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Shaakir edition, no. 2663).

Al-’Irbaad ibn Saariyah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Would any of you think, reclining on his couch, that Allaah would only describe what is forbidden in the Qur’aan? I tell you, by Allaah, that I have warned and commanded and prohibited things that are as important as what is in the Qur’aan, if not more so.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, Kitaab al-Khiraj wa’l-imaarah wa’l-fay’).

(b) Abu Dawud also reported from al-’Irbaad ibn Saariyah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that “the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) led us in prayer one day, then he turned to us and exhorted us strongly . . . (he said), ‘Pay attention to my sunnah (way) and the way of the Rightly-guided Khaleefahs after me, adhere to it and hold fast to it.’” (Saheeh Abi Dawud, Kitaab al-Sunnah).

(3) The scholars’ consensus (ijmaa’) affirming the importance of the Sunnah.

Al-Shaafi’i, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “I do not know of anyone among the Sahaabah and Taabi’een who narrated a report from the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) without accepting it, adhering to it and affirming that this was sunnah. Those who came after the Taabi’een, and those whom we met did likewise: they all accepted the reports and took them to be sunnah, praising those who followed them and criticizing those who went against them. Whoever deviated from this path would be regarded by us as having deviated from the way of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the scholars who followed them, and would be considered as one of the ignorant.

(4) Common sense indicates the importance of the Sunnah.

The fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allaah indicates that we must believe everything he said and obey every command he gave. It goes without saying that he has told us things and given instructions in addition to what is in the Qur’aan. It is futile to make a distinction between the Sunnah and the Qur’aan when it comes to adhering to it and responding to it. It is obligatory to believe in what he has told us, and to obey his instructions.

The ruling concerning those who deny the importance of the Sunnah is that they are kaafirs, because they deny and reject a well-known and undeniable part of the religion.

As regards your second question, about whether a Muslim is required to follow a particular madhhab, the answer is that he does not have to. For the average “rank and file” Muslim, his madhhab is that of his mufti or the scholar whom he consults for religious verdicts; he must ask those pious scholars whom he trusts for opinions when necessary. If a person has enough knowledge to distinguish which evidence and opinion is stronger, then he must follow the scholarly opinion which has the strongest support from the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is acceptable for a Muslim to follow one of the four well-known madhhabs, on the condition that he understands that the truth in any given issue may lie with another madhhab, in which case he must ignore his own madhhab’s opinion and follow the truth. The Muslim’s aim is to follow the truth that is in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah. The madhhabs of fiqh are only a means of reaching ahkaam (rules) based on the Qur’aan and Sunnah, they are not Qur’aan and Sunnah.

We ask Allaah to show us the truth and help us to follow it, and to show us falsehood and help us to avoid it. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.


So in Summary we follow whatever Allah and His messenger has permitted. We follow his example of how to worship etc. So don't cheat, be nice to people, prayer like he did etc.