Assalaamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu, This is with reference to Fatwa id 2542982. In the answer to this you have given me reference to some similar Fatwa but I am still not convinced and my doubt is not clear yet. I would request you to help me understand and clarify my doubt. I would also like to request you to provide me answer not by referece to some other Fatwa as I may not be able to clarify my doubt. I have the following doubt which is trobling me a lot: It is true that we have to love and obey the messenger and that is what he had been sent for. In this case while we follow his teachings/sunnah what should be the intension in our heart? Should it be like : 1. I am performing so and so act(say a sunnah), so that Allah alone becomes happy with me. (OR) 2. I am performing so and so act, so that Allah and his messenger will be happy with me. (which I feel like keeping a partner with Allah) (OR ). 3. I am performing so and so act, so that Allah will be happy with us and not that the messenger will be happy with us(here I feel as if I am not loving the prophet)(OR) Something else. I am not able to do a demarcation between the love, obedience and making happy(pleasing). This is troubling me a lot. Also it is said that we have to send durood and salam on the prophet. For this what is to be done and not to be done. I would request you to clarify my doubt and help me to clearly demarcate between them. May Allah bless you

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The matter is quite simple; the obedience to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, consists in obedience to Allaah The Exalted. He says (what means): {He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allaah; but those who turn away – We have not sent you over them as a guardian.} [Quran 4:80] We have previously underlined that fact in Fatwa 85555.

The genuine love for the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is that translated into following his example; whoever follows him has loved him as due, as underlined in Fatwa 140020.

The Muslim is enjoined to carry out righteous deeds so as to earn the pleasure of Allaah. He says (what means): {And they were not commanded except to worship Allaah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakah. And that is the correct religion.} [Quran 98:5] He also says (what means): {No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allaah – then We are going to give him a great reward.} [Quran 4:114] As one abides by those teachings, he wins the pleasure of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, accordingly. Whatever pleases Allaah The Exalted pleases his Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for sure.

For further benefit, please refer to Fatwa ">85571.

Allaah Knows best.