The Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “All my nation will enter the Paradise except those who refuse.” The companions asked, “O Rasulullah! Who would refuse?” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) then said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys me has indeed refused (to go to Paradise).”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Commentary:
This hadith is evidence for one of the greatest principles in Islam which states that one may not enter paradise unless they follow the path of the Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) mentioned that by obeying him one will enter paradise and by disobeying him and following paths other than his path, one has rejected paradise. So from this we benefit that there is no path which leads to paradise except the path of Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) as Allah Almighty states:
“Say, (O Muhammad) If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and will forgive your sins; Indeed Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Quran 3:31]
So Allah tied His love with following and obeying the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) which means that by not following the Prophets Sunnah one may not achieve the love of Allah.
And Allah Knows Best!