1. Obey the Prophet and follow his example (sunnah)
Keys to Living Islam
Obey the Prophet and follow his example (sunnah)

2. Allah says in the interpretation of the meaning:
"0 you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered."
(8:24)

3. This verse contains many instructions:
One of them is that a prosperous life is only attained by obeying Allah and His Messenger. Whoever has not obeyed will not have a real life
The real and good life is the life of the person who obeys Allah and His Messenger openly and secretly. They are those who are really alive, even if their bodies die.
The others are dead even if they are alive physically, for it is simply a state of the heart.

4. That is why the person who is most alive is the one who perfectly obeys the call of the Messenger in every aspect of life.
Therefore, whoever missed any part of it, has missed a part of life, and the person will have life' according to the level that he obeys the Messenger.
As Muslims aspiring to become believers we should be living our lives refering to the truth. According to Al-Mujahid, the truth, means "that which will give you life for the truth."
According to Qatadah,the truth refers to the Qur'an, for it contains life, trust, salvation and protection in this world and the Hereafter.
And according to As-Saddiy, it refers to Islam, for islam brought life to those who were dead before it due to their disbelief.

5. The prophet muhammad is guide to all these perceptions of Truth
As Allah says in the interpretation of the meaning:
"And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith. But We have made it (this Qur'an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will."
(42:52)
Thus Allah lets it be know that the prophet was sent as an inspiration and guide for us all so by following him we can not go wrong

6. Listen to what Allah says:
“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those whom Allah has blessed: the prophets and steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and righteous. What excellent company such people are!” (Surat an- Nisa': 69)
Here allah lets it be known that those who do live their lives obeying the prophet muhammad will be in the company of the best of mankind – the prophets and the pious predecessors.
We all claim to be looking for the way to salvation – well the way there is through following and obeying the prophet muhammad

7. The Prophet himself said in an authentic hadith:
“Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah, and whoever obeys the ruler I appoint, obeys me, and whoever disobeys him, disobeys me."
In the Qur'an, Allah describes the Prophet as a protector and guide for the Believers. Muslims, therefore, should refer to him in all matters, and seek his permission and opinion before engaging in anything. Today we seek his permission and opinion by referring to his sunnah through the hadiths
This is a most important aspect of morality, commanded by Allah in the Qur'an.

8. Allah further shows the importance in obeying the prophet:
“No, by your Lord, they are not believers until they make you their judge in the disputes that break out between them, and then find no resistance within themselves to what you decide and submit themselves completely.”
(Surat an-Nisa': 65)
Here allah lets it be known that we must obey the rules set out by the Prophet, with all one's heart and with no reservations. Even if his decision conflicts with the interests of an individual, true believers will feel no doubts at all, and will instead submit to what the prophet has commanded

9. As for the obligation to follow him and obey his Sunnah and follow his guidance, Allah says,
“Say: if you love Allah, follow me and He will love you and forgive you your wrong actions." [ 3:31]
"Believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet who believes in Allah and His words. Follow him, perhaps you will be guided." [7:157]
In the first ayat mentioned, Allah promises His love and forgiveness to those who follow the Prophet and prefer him over themselves. Soundness of belief is based on submission to the Prophet and satisfaction with his judgement and abandoning opposition to him.

10. It is related from al-Hasan al-Basri that some people said, "Messenger of Allah, we love Allah," so Allah revealed,
"Say: if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you." [ 3:31]
It is related that this verse was revealed about Ka'b ibn Ashraf and others. They said,
"We are the sons of Allah and His beloveds," and "We are stronger in love for Allah,"
so Allah revealed this ayat.

11. The importance of obeying and following the example of the prophet is best summarized in the following hadith whereas the Prophet said:
"The Qur'an is hard and difficult for anyone who hates it. Whoever clings to what I say and understands and retains it, then it will be like the Qur'an for him. Whoever considers the Qur'an and what I say unimportant and neglects it, loses this world and the Next. My community is commanded to take my words and obey my commands and follow my sunnah. Whoever is pleased with my words is pleased with the Qur'an. Allah says,
'Take what the Messenger brings you.' "
[Abu'sh-Shaykh, ad-Daylami and Abu Nu'aym from al-Hakam ibn 'Umayr. The ayat is Al-Qur'an 59:7]

12. So thus a great key to practicing islam is to obey and follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad
This is done by clinging to what he has told us to do and staying away from what he has told us to stay away from
The only way this can be done is by educating yourself of the Prophets example by learning the hadiths from reputable teachers
By learning the hadiths you are learning not only how to live islam as our prophet taught us but you are also learning about him as a person and this in turn will make your love for him grow to the point that you will want to pattern yourself after his behavior and this is what makes for a strong believer