Obey God & the Messenger
 

By Layth Al-Shaiban (e-mail: laytth@hotmail.com)

In confronting the Sunni and Shia sectarians who claim to be affiliated with God’s great system of submission “Islam,” the topic that most comes up is the one about “obeying God and obeying the messenger.”

While the sects reluctantly acknowledge that the Quran is fully detailed and complete as God has said it is (see 6:114-115, 11:1, 16:89), they quickly point to the many verses in the Quran which speak of “obeying God and obeying the messenger” and point out that such verses clearly mean there are two sources of information to be followed: “Obey God” meaning the Quran, and “Obey the Messenger” meaning the Hadith.

“O you who believe, obey God and His messenger, and do not turn away from him while you have heard.” (8:20)

“Say: ‘Obey God and the messenger.’ But if they turn away, then God does not like the rejecters.” (3:32)

“And obey God and obey the messenger, and be aware. If you turn away then know that it is the duty of the messenger to deliver the clarity.” (5:92)

“And obey God and His messenger, and do not dispute else you will fail and your momentum will depart, and be patient. God is with the patient ones.” (8:46)

“Say: “Obey God, and obey the messenger.” But if they turn away, then he is only responsible for his obligation, and you are responsible for your obligations. And if you obey him, you will be guided. The messenger is only required to deliver clearly.” (24:54)

“O you who believe, obey God, and obey the messenger. And do not render your work in vain.” (47:33)

“Obey God and obey the messenger. And if you turn away, then it is only required of Our messenger to deliver clearly.” (64:12)

At first glance, the argument of the sects seems somewhat convincing, for surely if God had meant for us to simply follow the Quran He would have only need said “obey God” and that would have been sufficient. However, by God adding “and obey the messenger” the claim seems to have some support.

In verse 4:59 below we see the case for the sects further strengthened as the believers are told to “obey God” and “obey the messenger” and “obey those in authority” (seems to be 3 separate entities), however, if they dispute in any matter they shall ignore the opinion of “those in authority” and simply revert back to God and His messenger:

“O you who believe, obey God and obey the messenger, and those in authority amongst you. But if you dispute in any matter, then you shall refer it to God and His messenger if you believe in God and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for knowing.” (4:59)

What has been presented thus far is the logic of the sects in justifying the opening of their Pandora’s Box where the definition of “what” the messenger delivered becomes a treasure hunt through the hundreds of thousands of old wives tales and stories all attributed to the messenger doing or saying something.

Is the Quran complete or not?

“Shall I seek other than God as a judge when He has sent down to you this Scripture fully detailed?” Those to whom We have given the Scripture know it is sent down from your Lord with truth; so do not be of those who have doubt.” (6:114)

“And the word of your Lord has been completed with truth and justice; there is no changing His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.” (6:115)

This is now the question that is faced by all those who believe in the authority of the Quran alone. How can the Quran claim to be complete and detailed and yet, it refers to a source outside of itself?

Obey God and obey the messenger?

The answer for this entire issue is found once again in the Quran itself:

“Whoever obeys the messenger has obeyed God; and whoever turns away, We have not sent you as a guardian over them. “ (4:80)

While this may come as a shock to the sects, it is a natural answer for students of Quran who know and believe the word of God to be detailed and complete. We are told in no uncertain terms that whoever has “obeyed the messenger” has automatically met the requirement of “obeying God” (i.e. the two commands are one in the same).

A little thought by the sects would have led them to the same conclusion, for, after all, the Quran was never revealed to us by God directly, but was done through His inspiration to His messenger (i.e. the messenger, God, and the Quran are inseparable).

There is no external text to be sought; no Hadiths…There is only the words that the messenger delivered while being inspired by God.

What did the messenger deliver?

Now we have narrowed down our search to just one element which was delivered by both God and His messenger.

Is that one element the Quran?

Is that one element the Hadith?

Again, we will look to the words of God and His messenger for the answer:

“Say: “Which is the greatest testimony?” Say: “God is witness between me and you, and He has inspired to me this Qur’an that I may warn you with it and whomever it reaches, that you bear witness that along with God are other gods!” Say: “I do not bear witness!” Say: “He is only One god, and I am innocent of what you set up!” (6:19)

“And when Our clear revelations are recited to them, those who do not wish to meet Us said: “Bring a Qur’an other than this, or change it!” Say: “It is not for me to change it of my own accord, I merely follow what is inspired to me. I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the retribution of a great day!” (10:15)

Can it be any clearer than that? The messenger delivered the Quran and nothing but the Quran.

Let us remain true to the commands of God by obeying His messenger in that which he delivered, and not be like those who turned away and will be denied by the messenger himself on the day of days:

“And the messenger said: ‘My Lord, my people have deserted this Qur’an.’” (25:30)