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Writer's pictureMike Steward

The difference of Obey, Follow, Guidance

Updated: May 30

There is an often repeated phrase from many who utilize Hadith and Sunnah that goes: "The verses that say to Obey the Messenger means we have to follow the Prophet and everything he is recollected as saying or doing". I am providing the standard definitions of obey, follow and guidance o·bey əˈbā,ōˈbā/ comply with the command, direction, or request of (a person or a law); submit to the authority of."I always obey my father"synonyms:do what someone says, carry out someone's orders; carry out (a command or instruction)."the officer was convicted for refusing to obey orders"synonyms:carry out, perform, act on, execute, discharge, implement, fulfill"he refused to obey the order" behave in accordance with (a general principle, natural law, etc.)."the universe was complex but it obeyed certain rules" fol·low ˈfälō/verb 1.go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind."she went back into the house, and Ben followed her"synonyms:come behind, come after, go behind, go after, walk behind"we'll let the others follow"accompany, go along with, go around with, travel with, escort, attend, trail around with,string along with;informal: tag along with"people used to follow the band around" guid·ance ɡīdəns/noun 1.advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty, especially as given by someone in authority."he looked to his father for inspiration and guidance"synonyms:advice, counsel, direction, instruction, enlightenment, information; recommendations, suggestions, tips, hints, pointers, guidelines"she looked to her father for guidance"direction, control, leadership, management, supervision, superintendence, charge;handling, conduct, running, overseeing"work continued under the guidance of a project supervisor" These definitions are universally accepted globally. ( if you find different please provide it) To obey is to adhere to a command, We can be ordered to obey and whether we do or not we know what the good or bad consequences are as laid out clearly in the Quran. To follow is not a command and no where are you commanded to follow in the same sense as being commanded to obey. To follow is a choice and not commanded or ordered by Allah or the Prophet. Guidance is not a command it is something you give to someone to help them and could be bad or good depending on the situation or purpose, we know our Guidance only comes from God. Although the Prophet is a messenger the distinction in separating theses two words Prophet and Messenger in the Quran is very clear and precise in how and where they are used. 4:80 Man yutiAAi alrrasoola faqad ataAAa Allaha waman tawalla fama arsalnaka AAalayhim hafeethan 4:80 (He) who obeys the Messenger then surely he obeyed Allah, and whoever turns away, then not We sent you over them (as) a guardian. The only commands we are given directly from the Messenger are verbatim in the Quran everywhere the Messenger is instructed to “SAY”.... Challenge: I would ask anyone, where is there a command from the Messenger or the Prophet in the Quran that adheres to the rules and laws of the Quran or even outside of the Quran to obey or follow his Hadith and/or Sunnah? This command if it exist would be a big help in this discussion. Thank you for your time. Peace to you all

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