Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3095
Narrated ‘Adi bin Hatim: “I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) while I had a cross of gold around my neck. He said: ‘O ‘Adi! Remove this idol from yourself!’ And I heard him reciting from Surah Bara’ah: They took their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah (9:31). He said: ‘As for them, they did not worship them, but when they made something lawful for them, they considered it lawful, and when they made something unlawful for them, they considered it unlawful.
- This verse from Surah Bara’ah (9:31) warns against taking rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah, meaning that one should not elevate any human being or their opinions to a level that is equal to or above the status of Allah and His divine revelation. Muslims are commanded to follow the Qur’an and the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and to seek knowledge and guidance from scholars who base their teachings on these sources. However, one should never blindly follow any scholar or religious leader without questioning their opinions and ensuring that they are in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah. Ultimately, Allah is the only One who deserves our worship and obedience.
