An-Nisaa (The Women)

80. "Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah, and whoever turns away -We have not sent you to be a watcher over them."

Practice of the Prophet is Just like the Revelation of Allah

In this verse, the situation of the Prophet (S) before people, and people's good deeds and evil deeds, has been stated. At first, it says that whoever obeys the Prophet (S) has obeyed Allah. Thus, the obedience of Allah cannot be separate from the command of the Prophet (S), because he (S) takes no step against the commands of Allah.

"Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah...."

Then, addressing the Prophet (S), the verse adds that if some people disobey you and oppose your instructions, you are not responsible for their deeds, and, from this point of view, you have no duty to force them to stop any wrong doing. Your duty is to deliver propagation of the message of Islam, to enjoin right and forbid wrong, and to guide the misguided persons. It says:

"... and whoever turns away -We have not sent you to be a watcher over them."

It should be noted that this verse is one of the clearest verses of the Qur'an which is the proof upon the reasoning of the rightfulness of the practice of the Prophet (S) and the acceptance of his traditions.

Then when we see that, according to the famous tradition of Thaqalayn (two weighty things), the Prophet (S) has explicitly counted the traditions of Ahlul-Bayt some true evidences and proofs, we result from it that the obedience of the command of Ahlul-Bayt, too, is not separate from the obedience of the command of Allah.