How can one differentiate between the commands of the the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, which indicate obligation (fard) and those which indicate recommendation (Sunnah), knowing that the word "amr" (command) has multiple meanings in the Arabic language?

The majority of scholars hold that a Shari'ah command implies obligation unless a contextual indicator (qarinah) diverts it to recommendation or permissibility. This is due to Allah's threat of severe torment for those who disobey His command, as stated in His Almighty قول: "And let those who oppose His command beware, lest a trial strike them or there strike them a painful punishment." (An-Nur: 63). This meaning is also indicated by other verses, such as His saying, the Almighty: "And when it is said to them, 'Bow [in prayer],' they do not bow." (Al-Mursalat: 48), and His saying to Iblis: "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" (Al-A'raf: 12).

In this ruling, the command of Allah and the command of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, are equal, due to the obligation of obeying the Messenger and its coupling with obedience to Allah in the Qur'an and Sunnah (definition), as in His Almighty saying: "And whatever the Messenger has given you - take it; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from." (Al-Hashr: 7), and the hadith (definition): "Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me has refused."

Some scholars have said that the command implies recommendation or a more general request, while others have differentiated between the command of the Lord and the Messenger. However, the preponderant opinion is that of the majority. If a contextual indicator is found, the command is diverted from obligation, such as the command for Witr prayer, which was diverted to recommendation by the indicator of the hadith about the five daily prayers. The criterion for distinguishing between types of commands is the context of the discourse.