The Sunnah : Way of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Living Revelation Beyond the Qur’an

The Sunnah: The Way of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Introduction

The Sunnah is revelation in practice. It explains the Qur’an, completes the faith, and provides a lived model of Islam. It is not culture, nor an optional add-on, but binding divine guidance.

“Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed.”
Qur’an 53:3-4

What Is the Sunnah?

The Sunnah includes:

• Every action of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Every statement of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Every action done in his presence without his objection.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, in Usul al-Sunnah, defined the Sunnah as the essential explanation of Islam.

Aisha (RA) narrated:

“Three crescent moons would pass, and no fire would be lit in the house of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” Bukhari 2567

Their sustenance was often only dates and water.

The Sunnah as Revelation

The Qur’an affirms that the Prophet ﷺ spoke only from revelation. His Sunnah is not a personal opinion; it is divinely inspired guidance.

“Nor does he speak from desire. It is only revelation revealed.”

Qur’an 53:3-4

“Verily I have been given the Qur’an and something similar to it along with it.”

Tirmidhi 2664

Explaining the Qur’an

The Prophet ﷺ was tasked to clarify the Qur’an:

“…And We revealed to you the Reminder that you may explain to people what was sent down to them…”

Qur’an 16:44

Examples include:

The Qur’an commands prayer, but the Sunnah shows its form:

“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 631

The Qur’an commands Hajj, but the Sunnah defines its rites:

“Take your rites of Hajj from me.”
Sahih Muslim 1297

As Al-Nawawi in Sharh Sahih Muslim explains, without the Sunnah, Qur’anic commands remain theoretical.

The Sunnah as a Source of Law

The Sunnah is a binding legislative source, equal in authority to the Qur’an. Denying it is denying revelation.

“Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 5063

Ibn Qudāmah in al-Mughnī documented countless rulings derived directly from the Sunnah, proving it is an independent source of law.

Preservation of the Sunnah

Allah promises to preserve His revelation:

“Indeed, We sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will preserve it.”
Qur’an 15:9

Ibn Hazm and others argued that this includes both Qur’an and Sunnah. Hadith sciences (isnād, jarh wa taʿdīl, classification) ensured preservation. Al-Nawawi emphasized this as fulfillment of Allah’s promise. Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan explains how this preservation continues in modern scholarship.

Everyday Relevance

The Sunnah transforms daily actions into worship:

• Smiling is charity.
• Eating with gratitude becomes worship.
• Greeting spreads peace.
• Caring for family is devotion.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said that following the Sunnah makes faith complete.

Addressing Misconceptions

Some modern groups claim the Qur’an alone is sufficient. Yet the Qur’an itself says the Prophet ﷺ was sent to “explain” the Qur’an 16:44
Without the Sunnah, acts like prayer, zakat, or Hajj remain undefined. Imam Ahmad, Ibn Qudāmah, and others stressed that rejecting the Sunnah is rejecting Islam’s foundation.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. An-Najm 53:3-4: The Prophet ﷺ speaks only by revelation, not desire.
2. An-Nahl 16:44: The Prophet explains the Qur’an as part of his mission.
3. Al-Hijr 15:9: Allah promises to preserve revelation, including Sunnah.

Hadith

4. Sahih al-Bukhari 5063: Warning against turning away from the Sunnah.
5. Sahih al-Bukhari 631: “Pray as you have seen me praying.”
6. Sahih Muslim 1297: “Take your rites of Hajj from me.”
7. Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 2664: Sunnah given alongside the Qur’an as revelation.

Secondary Sources

8. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Usul al-Sunnah: Foundational work affirming Sunnah’s authority.
9. Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim: Commentary clarifying hadith on Sunnah.
10. Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughnī: Legal rulings showing Sunnah as a source of law.
11. Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan, Sharh al-Irshad; Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb: Modern explanation on following the Sunnah.