Hadith
Sufyan ibn Abdullah reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a saying in Islam after which I will not need to ask anyone after you.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Say, ‘I have faith in Allah,’ and then remain steadfast.”
عَنْ سُفْيَانَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الثَّقَفِيِّ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قُلْ لِي فِي الإِسْلاَمِ قَوْلاً لاَ أَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ أَحَدًا بَعْدَكَ – وَفِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ غَيْرَكَ – قَالَ قُلْ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ فَاسْتَقِمْ
Sahih Muslim 38
Ponder This Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ was asked for a teaching so complete that nothing else would be needed after it. His answer was simple: faith in Allah and steadfastness upon it. If later authorities were essential to the religion, why are they absent from a key advice like this?