What is the meaning of sunnah?

TL;DR: The Sunnah refers to the teachings, actions, and way of life of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), which serve as a guide and model for Muslims alongside the Quran. It is a crucial source of Islamic law, ethics, and spirituality, recorded in the authentic Hadith collections. The concept of Sunnah is firmly rooted in the Quran and the Sunnah itself. The Quran instructs believers to obey Allah and the Messenger (33:36, 4:59), and the Prophet (saw) emphasized the importance of following his example, as narrated in hadith: "Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah" (Bukhari). Background Classical scholars unanimously agreed on the authority of the Sunnah as a primary source of Islamic law and guidance, second only to the Quran. Imam al-Shafi'i (d. 820 CE), a renowned jurist and founder of the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence, stated: "The Sunnah judges the Quran, and the Quran does not judge the Sunnah." The Sunnah clarifies, elaborates, and provides practical implementation of the Quranic teachings. It covers various aspects of human life, including acts of worship, social interactions, ethics, and personal hygiene. For instance, the Quran commands Muslims to pray, but the Sunnah details the specific methods and timings of the five daily prayers. Furthermore, the Sunnah serves as a living example of the Prophet's character, embodying the Quranic ideals of compassion, justice, and humility. The Prophet's (saw) companions (ra) meticulously preserved and transmitted his sayings and actions through rigorous methods of verification, culminating in the authoritative hadith collections, such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. In contemporary Islamic scholarship, the vast majority of scholars affirm the Sunnah's role as a primary source of Islamic law and guidance, alongside the Quran. However, there have been debates regarding the interpretation and application of certain Hadith, reflecting the diversity of thought within the Islamic tradition. The Sunnah holds a central position in Islamic thought and practice, serving as a comprehensive guide to follow the footsteps of the Prophet (saw) and embodying the Quranic teachings. Shariah meaning of Sunnah The word "Sunnah" is derived from the Arabic word for "path" or "way". In the Islamic tradition, and therefore the shariah, it refers to the teachings and actions of the Prophet (saw), which are a source of guidance and inspiration for Muslims. The Sunnah is considered to be one of the primary sources of Islamic law and doctrine, along with the Qur'an. It is believed to provide insight into the Prophet's understanding and application of the Qur'anic teachings. The Sunnah is recorded in collections of hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet (saw) and is transmitted through the oral tradition of the ummah. These collections of hadith are considered to be reliable sources of information about the Sunnah, although some hadith are considered to be more authentic than others. The Sunnah is considered to be important for several reasons. It is seen as a way to learn about the life and character of the Prophet (saw), who is regarded as a role model. It is also believed to provide guidance on how to interpret and apply the teachings of the Qur'an in daily life. Some scholars have argued that the Sunnah is not a source of Islamic law in and of itself, but rather a source of guidance and understanding for the application of Qur'anic teachings. Other scholars have argued that the Sunnah is a primary source of Islamic law, alongside the Qur'an. Evidences Quranic Verses: "O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger..." (4:59) "Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah..." (4:80) "And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it." (59:7) Hadith: The Prophet said: "I have left among you two matters by holding to which, you will never be misguided: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." (Malik) "Whoever rejects my Sunnah is not from me." (Bukhari) "Whoever revives my Sunnah has loved me, and whoever loved me will be with me in Paradise." (Tirmidhi) Scholarly Quotes: Imam Shafi'i said: "If an authentic Sunnah is found, it is my madhab (way)." Ibn Taymiyyah stated: "Adherence to the Sunnah is the way to Paradise, and deviation from it is the way to Hellfire." Al-Izz ibn Abdus-Salaam said: "Sunnahs are of two types: those clarifying the Quran and those supplementing it." FAQs: Is the Sunnah divinely revealed like the Quran? No, while the Quran is the literal word of God, the Sunnah is the teachings, actions and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad, inspired by divine guidance. Are all hadith considered part of the Sunnah? No, only authentic and rigorously verified hadith are considered part of the Sunnah. Weak or fabricated hadith are rejected. Is following the Sunnah obligatory? Yes, obeying the commands and injunctions found in the authentic Sunnah is obligatory upon Muslims, according to the consensus of scholars. Can the Sunnah abrogate or contradict the Quran? No, the Sunnah can never contradict the Quran. It serves to explain, exemplify and implement the teachings of the Quran. What is the difference between Sunnah and Hadith? Hadith refers to the recorded narrations about the Prophet's sayings, actions and approvals. The Sunnah is the way extracted from the authentic hadith. Conclusion The Sunnah is the collection of teachings and actions of the Prophet which are considered to be a source of guidance and inspiration based on revelation. It is recorded in collections of hadith and transmitted orally amongst Muslims. The role of the Sunnah in Islamic law and doctrine is a matter of debate among scholars, with some arguing that it is a primary source of law and others seeing it as a source of guidance for the application of Qur'anic teachings. The role of the Sunnah in contemporary Islamic legal systems also varies, with some legal systems giving it a central role and others a less central role. References Al-Shafi'i, Muhammad ibn Idris. Al-Risalah (Treatise on Juristic Principles). Ibn Taymiyyah. Al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah. Al-Nawawi. Al-Arba'een al-Nawawiyyah. Al-Suyuti. Tadreeb al-Rawi. Azami, M. Mustafa. Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature.