Important Advice from the Prophet Muhammad g

العرباض بن سارية  عن النبي g قال: لقَد ترِكْتُكُم على مثلِ البَيضاءِ، ليلُها كنَهارِها لا يَزيغُ عنها إلّا هالِكٌ  - أخرجه ابن ماجه

(Narrated by Al-'Irbad bin Sariyah): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, I have left you upon clear guidance, its night is like its day. No one deviates from it except that he is destroyed." (Ibn Majah)

العرباض بن سارية  عن النبي g  قال:  إنه من يعِشْ منكم بعدي فسيرى اختلافًا كثيرًا، فعليكم بسنتي وسنةِ الخلفاءِ المهديّين الراشدين تمسّكوا بها، وعَضّوا عليها بالنواجذِ، وإياكم ومحدثاتِ الأمورِ فإنَّ كلَّ محدثةٍ بدعةٌ، وكلَّ بدعةٍ ضلالةٌ – سنن أبي داود

(Narrated by Al-'Irbad bin Sariyah): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever among you lives after me will see much differing. So adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided caliphs after me. Hold on to it firmly with your molar teeth. Beware of newly invented matters (in religion), for every newly invented matter is an innovation (bid'ah), and every innovation is misguidance."                                        (Reported by Sunan Abu Dawood)

These two hadiths stress the importance of adhering to the correct and authentic 'aqidah (creed) as passed down by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They underscore key aspects of following genuine teachings and caution against straying towards distorted beliefs.

·       Clear Guidance: In the first hadith, the Prophet describes the religion he conveyed as being clear and unmistakable, like daylight. This "clear guidance" is a reference to the correct understanding of Islamic beliefs and

practices, which are free from ambiguity. Authentic 'aqidah is based on the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and it is so clear that no one can deviate from it except those who willingly choose to stray. This is a warning against corrupt 'aqidah that arises when people abandon the original teachings.

·       Adherence to the Sunnah and the Path of the Rightly Guided Caliphs: In the second hadith, the Prophet warns that after his death, people will face significant differences and disputes (ikhtilaf) in matters of religion. These disputes often lead to confusion and the emergence of deviant sects with corrupt beliefs. To safeguard themselves, the Prophet advises Muslims to adhere to his Sunnah (traditions) and the practices of the rightly guided caliphs (the first four caliphs, known for their correct understanding and application of the religion). This highlights the importance of following the original 'aqidah and resisting innovations or distortions in belief.

·       Warning Against Bid'ah (Innovation): The second hadith also gives a strong warning against bid'ah, or innovations in religious matters. Bid'ah refers to any new practice or belief introduced into the religion that is not rooted in the Qur'an or the Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad makes it clear that every bid'ah is a deviation, and all deviations lead to misguidance. Corrupt 'aqidah often arises from such innovations when people introduce

new beliefs or practices that were not part of the original teachings of Islam. These innovations not only distort religion, but also lead people away from the true path, putting their faith at risk.