It is necessary for every member of the Muslim nation to have a yearning to follow and emulate Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‛alayhi wa sallam. All the erudite saints of the Muslim nation – whether the Sahābah radiyallāhu ‛anhum or the Tābi‛īn – are gleaners from the sown-field of Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‛alayhi wa sallam and drinkers from his blessed spring.

Sayyidunā ‛Abd al-Qādir Jīlānī rahimahullāh says in his commentary to this verse:
فتبين أن طريق المحبة اتباعه قولا وفعلا.

It becomes clear that the path of love entails following Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‛alayhi wa sallam in words and actions.
This means that no one can reach the station of “beloved of Allāh” without following Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‛alayhi wa sallam.