Riyad as-Salihin, 56

Abu Sufyan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported, in course of his detailed narration about Heraclius when the latter questioned him about the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ) He said that:

He (ﷺ) told (us): "Worship Allah Alone and do not associate a thing with Him; and give up all that your ancestors said. "He also commands us to perform Salat (prayers), to speak the truth, to observe modesty and to strengthen the ties of kinship. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

الثالث‏:‏ عن أبي سفيان صخر بن حرب ، رضي الله عنه، في حديثه الطويل في قصة هرقل، قال هرقل‏:‏ فماذا يأمركم -يعنى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال أبو سفيان‏:‏ قلت ‏:‏يقول ‏:‏ ‏

‏ اعبدوا الله وحده لا تشركوا به شيئاً، واتركوا ما يقول آباؤكم ، ويأمرنا بالصلاة، والصدق، والعفاف، والصلة‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 56

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) The central pillar of this religion is Tawhid of Allah Almighty because it is the source of all types of good. All Muslims must pay Tawhid their utmost attention because its presence is indispensable for the validity of any deed and the lack of which bars from admission to Paradise, for it is the key to it. 2) It warns against blind following of the forefathers, chiefs, or dignitaries, especially in issues of religious nature. Instead, one must learn the Sharia from its genuine source, namely the Qur’an and the Sunnah as interpreted by the early predecessors of this nation (Salaf). As for what people grew accustomed to – that contradicts the revealed religion – it must not be followed as if it is religious law. 3) Truthfulness is among the essential morals that one must internalize; and it is a trait of the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them).