Importance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah

170.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered a Khutbah, his eyes would become red, his tone loud and he showed anger as if he were warning us against an army.
He (PBUH) would say, "The enemy is about to attack you in the morning and the enemy is advancing against you in the evening". He would further say, "I am sent with the final Hour like these two fingers of mine.'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) held up his index finger and the middle finger together to illustrate. He used to add: "To proceed, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (PBUH), the worst practice is the introduction of new practices in Islam and every Bid`ah is a misguidance". He would also say, "I am, in respect of rights, nearer to every believer than his own self. He who leaves an estate, it belongs to his heirs, and he who leaves a debt, it is my responsibility to pay it off.'' [Muslim].

Commentary:
1. This Hadith mentions the style of the speech of the Prophet (PBUH). His auspicious presence is regarded in it as a sign of the nearness of the Day of Resurrection.

2. It emphasizes the importance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah and brings into focus the destruction caused by Bid`ah in Deen.

3. It clearly lays down that the orphans and the needy are the liability of the government/Bait-ul-Mal (public exchequer). The reason being that the caliphs were the successors of the Prophet (PBUH) and the work which was done by him in his lifetime was after him their responsibility.

4. The rightful owners of the deceased are their heirs and none else.