Like all Divine religions, Islam too has suffered and many scholars, saints have tried to be known by their names as men of authority rather than keeping Qur'an and Sunnah as the supreme source of guidance for Islam was never meant to revolve around personalities. It revolves around divine revelation. Scholars, preachers, and righteous leaders are respected because they point people to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ—not because they become the center of devotion themselves.
Keeping Qur'an and Sunnah is a profound principle rooted in the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah, which has been corrupted by individuals to be revered like the prophets. Let us see what Qur'an says about this and how should we keep Qur'an and Sunnah supreme and not the personalities.
The Qur'an repeatedly directs believers back to revelation:
"O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. If you differ over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day." — Al Qur'an Surah An-Nisāʾ (4:59)
Notice that while obedience to legitimate authority is commanded, disputes are settled by returning to Allah (the Qur'an) and the Messenger (his Sunnah), not by the opinion of any individual.
Many classical scholars, including Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, point out a subtle linguistic feature in this verse:
- Allah says: "Obey Allah (أطيعوا الله) and obey the Messenger (وأطيعوا الرسول)."
- It should be noted that the command "obey" (أطيعوا) is repeated for the Messenger.
- But when mentioning those in authority (أولي الأمر), Allah says: "...and those in authority among you (وأولي الأمر منكم)."
- He does not repeat the word "obey."
This is understood to indicate that:
- Obedience to Allah is absolute.
- Obedience to the Messenger ﷺ is absolute, because he speaks by revelation.
- Obedience to rulers and scholars is conditional—only insofar as they obey Allah and His Messenger.
This understanding is reinforced by the Prophet ﷺ, who said: "There is no obedience to any created being in disobedience to the Creator." And he ﷺ also said: "Obedience is only in what is right (maʿrūf)."
The criterion for resolving disagreements
The verse then establishes the permanent method for the Muslim community: "If you differ over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger."
What is being said is:
- Refer to Allah means refer to the Qur'an.
- Refer to the Messenger during his lifetime meant asking him directly.
- After his passing, it means referring to his authentic Sunnah.
Notice that Allah does not say:
- refer it to your ruler,
- refer it to your scholar,
- refer it to your imam,
- refer it to the majority.
That is the final authority remains the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah.
Another foundational verse states:
"Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most upright and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward." Al Qur'an Surah 17 Al-Isrāʾ (The Night Journey) verse 9
The Prophet ﷺ also warned against elevating people beyond their proper place. He said:
"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary. I am only His servant, so say: the servant of Allah and His Messenger."
This hadith teaches that even the Prophet ﷺ himself did not want believers to cross the limits into personality-centered religion.
The early scholars understood this remarkably well.
Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, the first caliph of Muslims after demise of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ famously declared after the Prophet's death:
"Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad has died. But whoever worships Allah, then Allah is Ever-Living and never dies."
He then recited Qur'an: "Muhammad is no more than a messenger. Messengers have passed away before him..."
Likewise, Mālik ibn Anas said:
"Everyone's statement may be accepted or rejected except the occupant of this grave," pointing to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ.
His statement beautifully reflects the principle established in Surah An-Nisāʾ 4:59: every human being, no matter how learned or righteous, is measured against the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah, not the other way around.
And Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shāfiʿī said: "If an authentic hadith is found, then that is my madhhab."
These statements demonstrate that the greatest scholars never wanted their opinions to supersede revelation.
A timeless lesson for today
In every age, Muslims are blessed with scholars, teachers, speakers, and callers to Islam. They deserve respect when they faithfully convey the Qur'an and Sunnah. However, danger arises when:
- loyalty to a personality becomes stronger than loyalty to evidence;
- every statement of a leader is accepted uncritically;
- criticism of a scholar is treated as criticism of Islam itself;
- the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah are interpreted only through the lens of a particular individual.
Allah thus cautions believers:
"Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other protectors besides Him." — Qur'an
The role of scholars is therefore like signposts—they point travelers toward the destination. A wise traveler appreciates the signpost but does not mistake it for the destination itself.
In the light of above mentions from AL Qur'an and Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, a true Muslim attitude towards Islam should be:
- The Qur'an is the primary source of guidance.
- The authentic Sunnah explains and embodies the Qur'an.
- The Companions understood the revelation best.
- The scholars are inheritors of the prophets because they explain the revelation, but they are not infallible.
- Every opinion is accepted or rejected according to its agreement with the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah.
This balance protects the Ummah from both extremes: rejecting scholarly guidance on one hand, and turning scholars or charismatic figures into unquestionable authorities on the other.
As Allah says: "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided." — Qur'an
The "Rope of Allah" has been understood by many classical exegetes to refer primarily to His revelation—the Qur'an, together with the guidance of His Messenger ﷺ. Remaining attached to that rope ensures that the center of gravity of a Muslim's faith remains where Allah intended: His revealed guidance, not any human personality.
And now if we look around in many Islamic countries, the cult of personalities has become stronger than the Qur'an and Sunnah. Though, many of the scholarly personalities may have never intended to be supersede the role of prophets and Al Qur'an, yet their followers make them stand taller than the religion itself. And the irony is that even after the death of such personality oriented saints and scholars, their graves are visited and people request "them" to redress their grievances.
The problem of Islam today is not religious disagreement, the main dilemma is of authority. That is why personalities are pronounced more than the Qur'an and Sunnah. Some believe that an imam is above any error while others take aulia is the authority and "their" word be upheld instead of Qur'an. Even some scholars have taken upon them to declare who will go to Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell). It is totally forgotten that the real message of Islam is that individuals, personalities and schools of thought be weighed on the scale of Qur'an and Sunnah - not individuals, who stand at a far lower shade than the prophets. That is the reason putting personalities in the centre has made sects - while keeping the Qur'an and Sunnah as center of gravity makes an Ummah. Religions is to be protected not by individuals , but principles as enunciated in Qur'an ad exhibited by Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
This post is specially meant for the reverts who may be misled by such personalities and fall prey to their cult, rather than keeping Qur'an and Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ as the only beacon for understanding Islam.
Disclaimer: This post is written in good faith and not to undermine the efforts of scholars and saints who taught Muslims what real Islam is and how to hold tight the rope of Allah to remain united. This is for education purpose only and readers my dig into relevant verses of Al Qur'an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to understand where the centre of gravity of Islam lies and why.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
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