12وَأَطيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطيعُوا الرَّسولَ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيتُم فَإِنَّما عَلىٰ رَسولِنَا البَلاغُ المُبينُAli UnalObey God and obey the Messenger.1 If you turn away (from that command, know that) what rests with Our Messenger is only to convey the Message fully and clearly.The repetition of obey in the imperative mood for the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, indicates that he is also authorized to command or forbid, and that Muslims must do what he says. Obedience to God means unconditional obedience to what has been revealed in the Qur’ān. Obedience to the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, means following his way of life (Sunnah) as closely as possible, and obeying what has been enjoined and prohibited in the Qur’ān and by him. The Sunnah is a comprehensively detailed account of the life of God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, who said: “Take care! I have been given the Book and its like [i.e. my Sunnah] together with it” (Abū Dāwūd, “Sunnah,” 5). The Sunnah defines what is stated in general terms by referring to particular instances, and it defines the general principle underlying statements in the Qur’an that are, in themselves, specific and particular. Also, the Sunnah (like the Qur’ān which it embodies) is also concerned with moral guidance, so the Sunnah provides inspiration and the horizons for moral and spiritual instruction in all spheres of life, as well as providing the inspiration and horizons (limits) within which Islamic legislation may be affected. Everything it teaches, every legal ruling, and every piece of moral instruction which is derived from the Sunnah remains within the framework, the spirit, the “color” and the temperament of the Qur’an. As stated in 8: 20 as well, Muslims must not turn away from the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings. Therefore, willful disobedience to the Sunnah, even belittling or criticizing it, is to approach heresy or apostasy.