Why Sunnah is Important?

The Sunnah holds a pivotal place in the lives of Muslims around the world. It is the second source of Islamic law and guidance, following the Quran, and it serves as a model for how to live according to the teachings of Islam.

Understanding the significance of the Sunnah helps Muslims not only to understand Islamic principles but also to implement them in everyday life.

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of the Sunnah with detailed references from both the Quran and Hadith, examining how the Sunnah complements the Quran and provides a detailed framework for Islamic living.

What is the Sunnah?

The term “Sunnah” refers to the practices, actions, sayings, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It encompasses everything that the Prophet did, said, or tacitly approved of. The Sunnah is seen as a source of guidance for Muslims because the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the best model of living Islam. The Sunnah includes:

• Sayings (Hadith): These are the recorded sayings of the Prophet (PBUH), which are vital for understanding the deeper meanings of the Quran and applying its teachings to everyday life.
• Actions: The Prophet’s actions, which Muslims are encouraged to emulate, are also part of the Sunnah. His actions represent practical implementations of Islamic teachings.
• Approvals: These are instances where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) witnessed something and did not object to it, signaling that the act was permissible.

The Relationship Between the Quran and the Sunnah

The Quran is the primary source of Islamic law and guidance, but it is general and does not address every single aspect of life in detail. The Quran provides broad guidelines, while the Sunnah provides the detailed methodology of how to follow those guidelines in daily life.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as the final messenger of Allah, exemplified the Quranic message through his actions and teachings. Thus, the Sunnah complements and elaborates upon the Quran.

Allah says in the Quran:

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“And We have sent down to you the Message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.”
(Surah An-Nahl, 16:44)

This verse shows that one of the purposes of the Prophet’s (PBUH) mission was to clarify the message of the Quran for the people. The Sunnah is the explanation and application of the Quran in real life. Without it, many aspects of Islamic practice and belief would remain unclear.

The Sunnah’s Role in Clarifying and Interpreting the Quran

The Quran itself emphasizes the importance of following the Sunnah and the Prophet’s example. In numerous verses, Allah commands Muslims to obey the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For instance:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

“Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:31)

This verse directly links the love of Allah to following the Prophet’s teachings. Thus, the Sunnah is not just a set of recommendations but an essential aspect of faith and obedience to Allah.

The Importance of the Sunnah in Understanding Islamic Beliefs and Practices

• Guidance in Worship: The Sunnah plays a crucial role in guiding Muslims on how to worship Allah. While the Quran outlines the significance of worship, it is the Sunnah that provides the detailed procedures of performing acts of worship like Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Hajj (pilgrimage), and Sawm (fasting). For example, the Quran commands the performance of Salah but does not provide a detailed explanation of how to perform the various positions and actions during prayer. The Sunnah, as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), provides the complete method.

In the Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي

“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

This Hadith underscores the importance of following the Prophet’s example when it comes to the act of worship, particularly Salah.

• Ethical and Moral Guidance: The Prophet’s teachings and actions offer Muslims an example of exemplary conduct in every aspect of life, from how to treat others to how to handle wealth and power. For example, the Quran mentions kindness to parents and others, but the Sunnah elaborates on the specific ways to show kindness, patience, and mercy.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

أَحْسَنُكُمْ أَخْلَاقًا أَحْسَنُكُمْ لِلنِّسَاءِ

“The best of you are those who are the best in character.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

This Hadith stresses the significance of character and the importance of modeling one’s life after the example of the Prophet in terms of kindness, honesty, humility, and patience.

• Clarifying Islamic Jurisprudence: The Sunnah also clarifies the rulings of Islamic law that are not detailed in the Quran. The actions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) help to clarify many legal and moral issues, especially in areas like family law, contracts, and social justice.

For example, the Quran makes general references to the rights of women, but the Sunnah provides details about marriage, inheritance, and other aspects of family law.

Similarly, the Quran prescribes fasting during the month of Ramadan but the Sunnah specifies the exact time to start and break the fast and the exemptions allowed for certain individuals.

The Prophet Muhammad’s Role as the Ideal Model

The importance of the Sunnah is also found in the fact that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is considered the most perfect human being, and his life serves as a perfect model for Muslims. Allah says in the Quran:

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example to follow for whoever hopes for [the meeting with] Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21)

The life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a comprehensive guide to living in accordance with Allah’s commands. His character, actions, speech, and interactions with others offer practical solutions to the challenges faced by Muslims in their everyday lives.

By following the Sunnah, Muslims are assured that they are following the best possible example in both their religious and worldly matters.

Sunnah and Its Role in Unity and Preservation of Faith

The Sunnah also plays a significant role in preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah (community). As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet, there will be no new revelation after him.

Therefore, the preservation of his teachings (the Sunnah) ensures that the guidance for mankind remains intact across generations. The Sunnah, recorded through the Hadith collections, serves as a unifying force, as it provides a standardized way of understanding and practicing Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself said:

إِنِّي تَارِكٌ فِيكُمْ مَا إِن تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدِي: كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّتِي

“I am leaving among you two precious things, and if you adhere to both of them, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
(Sahih Muslim)

Conclusion

The Sunnah holds an indispensable place in the life of a Muslim. It not only complements the Quran but also explains and clarifies the teachings of Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the perfect model for Muslims to follow, and his Sunnah offers the guidance needed to live a life that pleases Allah.

By adhering to the Sunnah, Muslims can align their lives with the teachings of Islam in a manner that is holistic and complete.

The Quran and Sunnah together form the core foundation of Islamic beliefs, practices, and law, and following both is essential for the spiritual, moral, and social well-being of individuals and the entire Muslim Ummah.