Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin ‘Umar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا narrates that the Holy Rasool           صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: اَصْحَابِیْ  کَالنُّجُوْمِ فَبِاَیِّھِمْ اِقْتَدَیْتُمْ  اِھْتَدَیْتُمْ i.e. my companions are like stars. Whomsoever you follow among them, you will attain guidance.

(Mishkat, vol. 2, pp. 414, Hadees 6018)

In the commentary of this Hadees, Hakeem-ul-Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states: سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہ! What a beautiful resemblance it is. Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم referred to his companions رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم as the stars of guidance, and in another Hadees, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم referred to his Ahl-e-Bayt رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم as the ark of Nooh. A traveller of the sea is in need of an ark as well as the guidance of the stars as the arks in the sea sail through the guidance of stars. Similarly, for the Imaani [spiritual] life, the Muslim Ummah is in need of the Ahl-e-Bayt Athaar رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم as well as the blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم. Guidance lies for the Muslim Ummah only in following the blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم. (Miraat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 8, pp. 345)

Sayyiduna ‘Irbaaz Bin Sariyaah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ has narrated: One day after the morning Salah, Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gave us some pieces of advice which made tears flow from the eyes and a state of uneasiness took over us. One person said that this advice seems to be of someone who is about to separate from us. In such a case, what would you like us to vow? Then Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘I bequeath you to fear Allah Almighty and obey your Ameer [leader] after listening to him, (no matter who has been appointed as your Ameer). Whoever among you remains alive will see numerous differences. Therefore, remain protected from new misguiding innovations. Whosoever out of you finds that time, it is obligatory upon him to act upon my Sunnah and that of my rightly guided Khulafa-e-Rashideen. Remain determined on that Sunnah firmly. (Tirmizi, vol. 4, pp. 308, Hadees 2685)

Sayyiduna Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه narrates that Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Umar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا narrated: If somebody wants to follow someone, he should follow the Aslaaf [righteous predecessors], who are the Companions of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. It is them who are the best of the people of this