Benefit of the Sunnah
The lifestyle and way demonstrated by the Rasool صلى الله عليه و سلم transformed an entire nation, from heinous practices and beliefs and made it one of simplicity, elegance, spirituality, peace of mind and heart that made other civilizations and people marvel at the Arabs transformation.
In the incident that transpired between Ja`far bin Abi Talib  رضي الله عنهand the Quraish in the court of the Abyssinian King, The Najaashi bear testimony to what the Prophet brought and type of life he lived and preached.
Allah himself says in the Holy Quraan (3/31) : اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللهَ فَتَبِعُوْنِيْ  (“If you love Alllah then follow me (meaning the Rasool)  صلى الله عليه و سلم
He has become so beloved to Allah that if people want someone to follow a map in gaining the love of Allah, it means they have to follow the Rasool صلى الله عليه و سلم  because he has the perfect path. Hence the reason Muslims are asked to follow the way of the Rasool صلى الله عليه و سلم as a path of religion.
An incident from the lives of the Sahaba gives testimony to the greatness of the Prophet and has within it a beautiful lesson as well.
Once some guests came to visit Hazrat Anas Bin Malik رضي الله عنه .He entertained them with a meal.The table cloth became dirty and discoloured, due to some curry having fallen upon it.Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه  instructed the made servant to cast it into the burning furnace. The servant did as she was commanded.
The guests were astonished at this command. When the tablectoth was thrown into the burning furnace, they awaited the appearance of smoke to indicate that the tablecloth was burning.But instead when the table cloth was removed from the fire,it was still intact and had become clean.
They asked him :O companion of the Rasool صلى الله عليه و سلم ,why did this table cloth not burn in the fire?And instead of burning ,had become perfectly clean.
Hazrat Anasرضي الله عنه  replied: The reason for the tablecloth not burning is this that on various occasions Rasooullah صلى الله عليه و سلم cleaned his hands and lips with the cloth.
Now Maulana Rumi says: : ”O you who have become frightened of the fire and punishment of Jahannam
It is advisable that you draw near to such blessed hands and lips,by following the Sunnat.
When something material has been granted such honour by the lips of Rasoolullah    صلى الله عليه و سلم You can imagine what honour he must have granted to his true Lovers.”
Lesson: When the tablecloth was granted this honour by the wiping of his blessed hands one can imagine what honour and nearness to Allah will be granted in both the worlds to those who follow the Sunnat diligently, which is a way of obtaining Divine Proximity. May Allah grant us all the the ability to follow the Sunnat and make us anxious to attain that great bounty from him, Ameen.(Ma-aarifi Mathnavi pg.184)