How is one to adhere to the methodology of the Messenger (peace be upon him)?

A Muslim must acknowledge Allah's blessings and His right to worship and legislate. He must submit to Him with love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions; for Allah purified them and was pleased with them, and they were the most knowledgeable of the Ummah concerning the Shari'ah of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. The salvation of this Ummah from disunity lies in following what the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions were upon. Following the Noble Messenger is the path to happiness, and opposing him is the path to misery. Allah Almighty made belief in what the Messenger and the Companions believed in a sign of guidance, and turning away from that is discord and misguidance. For Allah praised those who followed the Companions, saying: "And those who followed them in good conduct - Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him." The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, warned us against harming them and explained their virtue.

One must distance himself from anything that contradicts the methodology of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, such as innovations and novelties. A Muslim is advised to associate with scholars, study their books, and study the Shari'ah with an emphasis on evidence, and to ask scholars about what is unclear to him, and to increase in night prayers, and to strive to ponder over and memorize the Quran. The ultimate authority for Muslims is not a specific person, but rather the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, for they are the straight balance. Allah singled out Himself and His Messenger in obedience, and made the obedience of those in authority linked to them, and commanded that when there is a dispute, the matter should be referred back to His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger.