Islam
What is Sunnah? The Tradition of the Prophet
· 8 min read
Sunnah is the second source of Islam after the Quran. It includes the sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad that serve as a model of life for Muslims.
What is Sunnah?
Definition
Sunnah literally means "way" or "custom." In Islam, it refers to everything Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, did, or approved. It is the second source of Islamic law after the Quran.
Components of Sunnah
- Sayings (qawliyyah): the Prophet's words
- Actions (filiyyah): what the Prophet did
- Approvals (taqririyyah): actions of others the Prophet saw and did not object to
Relationship with the Quran
Sunnah complements and explains the Quran: details brief mentions, specifies generalities, and establishes rules not mentioned in the Quran.
Authenticity
Hadith are classified by their chain of transmission (isnad):
- Sahih (authentic): continuous chain of reliable transmitters
- Hasan (good): acceptable but not perfect chain
- Da'if (weak): chain with some issue
- Mawdu' (fabricated): invented, not accepted
Major Collections
The six most reliable collections in Sunnism: Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Nasai, Sunan Ibn Majah.
Sunnah in Daily Life
Following Sunnah means imitating the Prophet's character: honesty in business, kindness with family, generosity with the poor, patience in adversity, gentle humor, and mercy with all. The Quran says: "You have in the Messenger of God a beautiful example" (33:21).
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