OBEYING THE MESSENGER IS CONDITIONED The Quran gives numerous examples that we must obey what Muhammad uttered as a messenger of God, and NOT NECESSARILY what he uttered as a man. As a messenger, he uttered Quran, and nothing but Quran. Furthermore, the Quran teaches that Muhammad the man actually committed serious errors. Thus, in the verse shown below we see that God wished to establish a law whereby a man can marry the divorced wife of his adopted son. Muhammad was to be our example. However, this was contrary to the traditions of Arabia, and the Prophet actually "feared the people instead of fearing God." "You said to the one blessed by God and blessed by you, 'Do not divorce your wife, and observe God.' Thus, you hid in yourself what God wanted to declare, and you feared the people when God is the One you should fear. Then, when Zeid (Muhammad's adopted son) finally divorced her, we had you marry her. This was done to show that the believing men are allowed to marry the divorced wives of their adopted sons. The commands of God shall be carried out." (33:37)