Unconditional Obedience

Belief in all that he narrated is obligatory, as is his [unconditional] obedience in all that he commanded. This rank is not given to anyone other than him, [whether] from the Imaams [or other than them]. Rather, statements of every individual are taken and left, except the messenger of Allaah SAW [whose statements are always taken].

So whoever makes a person other than the messenger of Allaah SAW [a criterion] such that whoever loves him and stands by him becomes from Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah, and whoever opposes him becomes from the people of innovation and splitting - as that is found in the groups following the leaders of kalaam with regards to the religion - then he is from the people of innovation, misguidance and splitting!"