<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) One’s character should be consistent inwardly and outwardly. He should say the truth and not fear the blame of a blamer when it comes to Allah’s rights.<br> 2) The understanding of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) of the matters related to purifying and reforming the self is noteworthy. They had the most righteous hearts, the deepest knowledge, the best natures, and the most upright guidance.<br> <br> <b>Benefit:</b><br> Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:<br> “Valid religious knowledge and rituals are those learned from the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). As to whatever that is learned from those who came after them, it should not be regarded as a rule to act upon, albeit the one to whom it is attributed is excused, or rather rewarded, for his diligent personal reasoning or imitation of other scholars.<br> Whoever establishes his knowledge, both main issues and sub-issues, on the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and traditions reported from the earlier generations, has actually followed the way of prophethood. Likewise, whoever establishes his will, worship, deeds, and learning related to the fundamental deeds, as well as subsidiary deeds related to the heart and body, on his belief in the Sunnah and guidance of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, has indeed followed the way of prophethood.<br> This is the method of the leaders of guidance. Whenever Imam Ahmad mentioned the fundamentals of the Sunnah, he would say: “It is to adhere to what the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) adhered to.” [Al-Fatāwa: 10/363]