Abdur Rahman bin Amr Salmi and Hujr bin Hujr Kalai narrate: We went to the service of Sayyiduna Irbad bin Sariyah (may Allah be pleased with him), he is the companion about whom this verse was revealed:
"And nor upon those who, when they came to you that you might provide them with mounts, you said: 'I do not find that which I can mount you upon.'"
We greeted him and said: We have come to visit you and to benefit from you. So Sayyiduna Irbad said: One day, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the morning prayer, then he turned towards us and gave us an eloquent admonition, as a result of which tears flowed from the eyes and hearts trembled. One person said: O Messenger of Allah! This seems like a farewell admonition, so what do you instruct us? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: I advise you to fear Allah, and to obey and follow (the ruler), even if he is an Abyssinian slave whose (ears or nose) have been cut. Whoever among you lives (long) will soon see much difference. (In such a situation) it is obligatory upon you to follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided, guiding caliphs. Hold onto it firmly and cling to it tightly, and beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented thing is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance." (Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) The words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "So it is obligatory upon you to follow my Sunnah," are regarding the situation when he mentioned the differences that would arise in his Ummah. So this is a clear statement that whoever adheres to the Sunnah (i.e., regularly acts upon it), gives opinions according to it, and does not give precedence to other opinions over it, then such a person will be among the saved group on the Day of Judgment. May Allah, by His grace and mercy, include us among them.