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Font size: Jump to article tools	What is the Sunnah? (part 2 of 2): The Sunnah in Islamic Law
Description: A brief article outlining what constitutes the Sunnah, and its role in Islamic Law.� Part Two: How the Sunnah differs from the Quran, and the position of the Sunnah in Islamic Law.	By The Editorial Team of Dr. Abdurrahman al-Muala (translated by islamtoday.com)	Published on 19 Nov 2007 - Last modified on 04 Oct 2009	Viewed: 22674 (daily average: 11) - Rating: 4.6 out of 5 - Rated by: 9Printed: 960 - Emailed: 13 - Commented on: 2	Category: Articles
The Difference between the Sunnah and the Quran The Quran is the foundation of Islamic Law.� It is the
miraculous speech of God that was revealed to the Messenger, may the mercy and
blessings of God be upon him, by way of the angel Gabriel.� It has been
transmitted to us with so many chains of authority that its historical
authenticity is unquestionable.� It is written down in its own volume, and its
recitation is a form of worship.
As for the Sunnah, it is everything besides the Quran
that came from God�s Messenger.� It explains and provides details for the laws
found in the Quran.� It also provides examples of the practical application of
these laws.� It is also either direct revelation from God, or decisions of the
Messenger that were then confirmed by revelation.� Therefore, the source of all
the Sunnah is revelation.
The Quran is the revelation that is formally recited as
an act of worship, and the Sunnah is revelation that is not formally recited.� The
Sunnah, though, is just like the Quran in that it is revelation that must be
followed and adhered to.
The Quran takes precedence over the Sunnah in two ways.�
For one thing, the Quran consists of the exact words of God, miraculous in
nature, down to the last verse.� The Sunnah, however, is not necessarily the
exact words of God, but rather their meanings as explained by the Prophet.
The Position of the Sunnah in Islamic Law During the Messenger�s lifetime the Quran and Sunnah
were the only sources of Islamic Law.
The Quran provides the general injunctions that formed
with the general principles.� These injunctions are not subject to change over
time or with the changing circumstances of the people.� The Quran, likewise,
The Sunnah comes in agreement with the Quran.� It
injunctions and objectives.� The Sunnah also comes with injunctions that are
The Sunnah is a practical expression of what is in the Quran.�
This expression takes many forms.� Sometimes, it comes as an action performed
by the Messenger.� At other times, it is a statement that he made in response
to something.� Sometimes, it takes the form of a statement or action of one of
the Companions that he neither prevented nor objected to.� On the contrary, he
The Sunnah explains and clarifies the Quran in many ways.�
It explains how to perform the acts of worship and carry out the laws that are
mentioned in the Quran.� God commands the believers to pray without mentioning
the times that the prayers had to be performed or the manner of performing them.�
The Messenger clarified this through his own prayers and by teaching the
Muslims how to pray.� He said: �Pray as you have seen me praying.� God makes the Hajj pilgrimage obligatory without
explaining its rites.� God�s Messenger explains this by saying: �Take the rites of Hajj from me.�
God makes the Zakah tax obligatory without mentioning
what types of wealth and produce it is to be levied against.� God also does not
mention the minimum amount of wealth that makes the tax obligatory.� The
The Sunnah specifies general statements found in the Quran.�
God says: �God commands you regarding your children: to the male, a
making every child an inheritor of his or her parents.� The Sunnah makes this
ruling more specific by excluding the children of Prophets.� God�s Messenger
said: �We Prophets leave behind no inheritance.� Whatever
The Sunnah qualifies unqualified statements in the Quran.�
forearm.� The Sunnah makes this clear by showing that it is to the wrist,
because this is what God�s Messenger did when he performed dry ablution.
The Sunnah also comes emphasizing what is in the Quran
or providing secondary legislation for a law stated therein.� This includes all
Sunnah that it is forbidden to sell fruit before it begins to ripen.� The basis
The Sunnah contains rulings that are not mentioned in
Quran.� An example of this is the prohibition of eating donkey flesh and the
flesh of predatory beasts.� Another example of this is the prohibition of
marrying a woman and her aunt at the same time.� These and other rulings
as true everything that God�s Messenger said.� God chose His Messengers from
among His worshippers to convey His Law to humanity.� God says:
actions.� God has protected his tongue from uttering anything but the truth.� God
God has safeguarded him from showing approval for
anything contrary to Islamic Law.� He is the most beautifully complete of God�s
Creations.� This is clear from how God describes him in the Quran: �By the star when it sets.� Your companion has neither gone
astray nor has he erred.� Nor does he speak of his own desire.� It is only
how trying, could prevent the Prophet from speaking the truth.� Being angry
never affected his speech.� He never spoke falsehood even when he was jesting.�
His own interests never swayed him from speaking the truth.� The only goal that
he sought was the pleasure of God Almighty.
down everything that God�s Messenger said.� Then the tribe of Quraish forbade
all point to the fact that obeying God�s Messenger is obligatory.� God says in
in authority among you.� If you fall into dispute about a matter, refer it back
to God and His Messenger if you believe in God and the Last Day�� (Quran 4:59)
Previous: What is the Sunnah? (part 1 of 2): A Revelation like the Quran	Parts of This Article
What is the Sunnah? (part 1 of 2): A Revelation like the Quran	What is the Sunnah? (part 2 of 2): The Sunnah in Islamic Law	View all parts together	Article Tools
john	Country:	Unknown	E-mail:	Unknown	Date: 30 Jan 2011	Comment:	This was a very helpful article to help me understand Sunnah.	Name:
Is'haq Kabau	Country:	Kenya	E-mail:	Private	Date: 22 Feb 2013	Comment:	Assalam aleikum warrahmatullahi wabbaraqattu, this was God's QADARR to have read it. It was very helpful to, and to other muslims I beileve. Other Articles in the Same Category
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