Where Do We Get Sunnah From?
If I understood you correctly, the only Sunnah would be what is COMMON in EVERY generation and Every sect/group? Even according to that, we do see huge differences between the way of offering Salat between Sunni/Shia vs Ismaili shia? Hence, I’d re-iterate the question #1: Where is the record of ALL the Islamic Teachings that were issued by Prophet Muhammad PBUH? As Ghamidi shb would say “Hazoor ney yeh ta’aleemat jaari kar din thin”. That “jaari kar dena” or issuance of teachings must have been recorded somewhere? Ghamidi shb said that these can be found among books of Fiqh (as you also said, “recorded in the books of fiqh”) whereas even within books of Fiqh, there are significant differences in those records raising the concern on the authenticity, rather originality of the teachings. Q#2: How and from where can one simply find the original Sunnah in its most basic and original form? As clearly, the books of fiqh and amli tawatur has always had differences. Jazak Allahu Khairan! @UmerQureshi
A unanimous religious act transferred incessantly through generation is Sunnah and then there is variety within it at minor level while performing it. Variety is kefiyat. This is not obligatory. So Rafa yadain and tying up hands while standing in prayer are not obligatory things no one claimed them to be obligatory. According to Ghamidi sahib, the whole prayer is Fard unless someting proven not obligatory within it. This is contrary to fuqaha who categorize every act to be obligatory or not. The proof for Sunnah is the present religious unanimous acts of Muslims. Yes there comes some slight differences too but these are always minor doesn’t doubt a while act to be Sunnah or not.
Meezan’s list is a subset of what is being practiced out there – This made it easy for you to argue Ok, I am good on the Meezan list issue. For your other argument: Interpretation of text vs. Amli practice (either the list or details), I am not sure if its a fair comparision – Will have to think more on this. For anyone who is not aware of Meezan (or lets say it does not exist) what would you tell them is the source of Sunnah? Any books for a common man?
Thanks @Irfan76 sb. this helped understand documentation’s utility. Many Thanks!
Next time, I will come to AG and read all the good comments to refresh my memory! This is a good thread and good exchange. Thanks again. Stay blessed.