What is Sunnah in Islam?

The concept of Sunnah represents one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic belief and practice. It serves as a comprehensive guide for Muslims around the world, providing detailed instructions on how to implement Islamic teachings in daily life. This report examines the multifaceted nature of Sunnah, its importance in Islamic jurisprudence, and its various classifications according to Islamic scholarship.

Definition and Basic Concept

Sunnah, in its fundamental sense, refers to the way of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). It contains everything the Prophet said, did, and approved of during his lifetime. Muslims learn about the Sunnah through Hadiths, which are statements handed down from the Prophet’s companions that document his words and actions.

The linguistic root of the word “Sunnah” in Arabic carries several meanings. It can denote a way of life, a path, or a behavior that is followed. While the term can technically describe any pattern of behavior, praiseworthy or not-it is most commonly associated with positive examples. As the Prophet himself stated: “Whoever starts a good Sunnah he will get the reward for it and the reward of others who would do the same thing until the Day of Judgment. Moreover, whoever does a bad Sunnah will have the punishment for doing it and the punishment of others who practice it”.

In Islamic terminology, however, Sunnah has acquired a specific meaning that relates exclusively to the example set by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Comprehensive Nature of Sunnah

The Sunnah provides Muslims with a practical model for implementing Islamic teachings across all aspects of life. It serves as a living interpretation of Quranic principles, demonstrating how conceptual religious concepts should be applied in real-world situations. This comprehensive guidance covers:

1. Methods of worship
2. Ethical principles
3. Personal conduct
4. Social interactions
5. Economic transactions
6. Political governance
7. Family relationships

Sunnah as a Source of Islamic Law

In the hierarchy of Islamic legal sources, the Sunnah holds a position second only to the Quran. This elevated status stems from numerous Quranic verses that explicitly command Muslims to obey the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The relationship between these two primary sources is complementary:

1. The Sunnah explains and clarifies Quranic verses
2. It provides practical demonstrations of Quranic principles
3. It introduces additional rules and guidance not explicitly mentioned in the Quran
4. It helps resolve apparent contradictions in interpretations of the Quran

This position refutes claims made by certain deviant sects that the Quran alone is sufficient for Islamic guidance, as the Quran itself establishes the necessity of following the Prophet’s example.

Classifications of What is Sunnah

Islamic scholars have developed various classification systems for the Sunnah based on different perspectives and purposes. These classifications help Muslims understand how to implement the Prophet’s example in their lives appropriately.

Classification Based on Obligation Level

According to Islamic jurists, the Sunnah ranks below fard (obligatory actions) in terms of religious obligation. Within this framework, the Sunnah itself is further divided into two categories:

1. Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Confirmed Sunnah): These are practices that the Prophet consistently observed and rarely abandoned. While not obligatory, neglecting these practices without a valid reason is considered blameworthy.
2. Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Optional Sunnah): These are recommended practices that the Prophet occasionally performed. Observing these practices brings reward, but neglecting them carries no blame or sin.

Classification Based on the Nature of Prophetic Example

Another important classification distinguishes between different types of prophetic examples:

1. Sunnah Qawliyyah (Verbal Sunnah): This comprises the Prophet’s spoken statements and teachings, such as his famous hadith, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions.” These verbal teachings provide direct guidance on various religious matters.
2. Sunnah Fi’liyyah (Action-based Sunnah): This includes the Prophet’s physical actions and practices. These demonstrate how religious obligations should be performed and provide models for behavior in various situations.
3. Sunnah Taqririyah (Approval-based Sunnah): Though not explicitly mentioned in the complete search results, this commonly recognized category refers to the Prophet’s tacit approvals or disapprovals of actions performed in his presence. When he witnessed an action and did not object, it is considered to have his implicit approval.

Classification Based on Religious vs. Cultural Practices

An important distinction exists between actions the Prophet performed as religious obligations versus those that were simply part of his cultural context:

1. Religious Practices: These include actions the Prophet performed specifically as acts of worship or to please Allah. For example, he went to sleep on his right side and advised Muslims to do the same. Similarly, he ate with his right hand because Allah ordered him to do so.
2. Cultural or Habitual Practices: The Prophet performed these actions based on the customs and practical needs of his time. For instance, sleeping on a simple mat or eating with fingers were cultural practices rather than religious obligations. Muslims are not required to follow these cultural practices if they don’t suit their contexts.

Scholarly Perspectives on Sunnah

Different schools of Islamic scholarship define Sunnah according to their disciplinary focus:

Hadith Scholars (Muhaddithun)

Hadith scholars adopt the most comprehensive definition of Sunnah, considering it to encompass “everything related to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) among his words, actions, taqrir (consent), khuluqiyyah attributes, khalqiyyah attributes and the life of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)whether before or after the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was appointed as a prophet.” This broad definition reflects their concern with preserving all aspects of the Prophet’s life for historical and religious purposes.

Usul Scholars (Legal Theorists)

Scholars of Islamic legal theory (Usul al-Fiqh) define Sunnah more specifically as “everything taken from the Prophet PBUH other than from al-Quran through words, actions and taqrir (consent) of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).” This definition focuses on the Sunnah as a source of legal rulings and religious guidance.

Jurists (Fuqaha)

Jurists employ the term Sunnah in two ways. First, like legal theorists, they use it to refer to the Prophet’s statements, actions, and approvals. Second, they use it to indicate actions that are recommended or praiseworthy but not obligatory in Islamic law. This dual usage reflects their practical concern with determining the legal status of various actions.

Practical Applications of Sunnah

The Sunnah provides guidance in numerous aspects of Muslim life:

Sunnah Prayers (Salah)

One practical application of Sunnah is the performance of additional ritual prayers (Salah) that complement the obligatory prayers. These Sunnah prayers are highly recommended, though not obligatory. They serve two important purposes:

1. They provide opportunities for Muslims to earn additional rewards by imitating the Prophet’s example.
2. On the Day of Judgment, they will compensate for any deficiencies in obligatory prayers that were missed or not properly performed.

Personal Conduct and Ethics

The Sunnah establishes ethical guidelines for personal behavior, such as:

1. Eating with the right hand
2. Sleeping on the right side
3. Honoring family members
4. Maintaining cleanliness
5. Speaking truthfully

These personal practices help Muslims cultivate a character that aligns with Islamic values.