The Importance of Obeying Allah and His Messenger in Islam

Settling Disputes and Strengthening Faith through Obedience to Allah and His Messenger

THE COMMAND TO OBEY ALLĀH AND HIS MESSENGER, AND TO SETTLE DISPUTES AMONGST YOURSELVES

ALLĀH says,

فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

“So fear ALLĀH” by complying with HIS commands and avoiding that which HE prohibits.

وَأَصۡلِحُواْ ذَاتَ بَيۡنِكُمۡۖ

“and set things right among yourselves” that is, set things right and turn disputes, disconnection and turning away into friendship, mutual love and upholding of ties. Thus you will become united and will put an end to what has occurred of arguments, disputes and conflict that resulted from cutting off ties with one another.

Setting things right among people includes showing a good attitude towards them and forgiving those among them who misbehave; this will dispel much of the resentment and severing of ties that may be in people’s hearts. The instruction that includes all of that is to be found in this verse:

وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ

“Obey ALLĀH and HIS Messenger, if you are ˹truly˺ believers.” For faith calls one to obey ALLĀH and HIS Messenger (ﷺ), so the one who does not obey ALLĀH and HIS Messenger (ﷺ) is not a believer.

If anyone falls short in obeying ALLĀH and HIS Messenger (ﷺ), that is due to his lack of faith, because faith is of two types: complete faith which results in success, which is praiseworthy, and faith that is of a lesser degree. What is referred to here is complete faith.

{Tafsi‌r As-Sa’di}