What is Sunnah: The Guiding Principle Shaping Islamic Life?

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Sunnah is the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the second source of law after the Qur’an.
• Sunnah is classified into: Qawliyyah (sayings), Filiyyah (actions), and Taqririyyah (approvals).
• The role of Sunnah is to specify and explain the principles in the Qur’an, governing all aspects of Muslim life.
• Applying the Sunnah helps strengthen faith and build a moral community.
• Hadith are the records of the Sunnah, valued based on their chain of narrators and authenticity.

Table of Contents

1. The Concept of “What is Sunnah” in Islam
2. Classification of Sunnah
3. The Role and Significance of Sunnah in Islam
4. How to Apply Sunnah in Muslim Life
5. Distinguishing Between Sunnah and Hadith
6. Frequently Asked Questions about Sunnah
7. Conclusion and Recommended Resources

The Concept of “What is Sunnah” in Islam

To understand clearly “what is sunnah”, we need to grasp its essence in the context of Islam. Sunnah is the collection of behaviors, sayings, and silent approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) – the final Prophet of Islam. It is considered the second source of religious law, playing an extremely important role after the Qur’an, not only reinforcing but also clarifying the commands and principles of the Qur’an. The importance of the Sunnah is widely affirmed in Islamic studies.

Prophet Muhammad not only conveyed the revelation from Allah (the Qur’an) but was also the living embodiment of those teachings. Every action, word, and even his silence became a standard for believers to follow.

Distinguishing Sunnah from Qur’an, Hadith, Shariah

To get a clearer view, let’s distinguish Sunnah from three other core concepts in Islam: Qur’an, Hadith, and Shariah.

Term	Brief Definition	Role/Main Content
Qur’an	The supreme scripture of Islam, the direct revelation from Allah.	The ultimate source of law and guidance, the foundation of all Islamic teachings
Sunnah	The sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).	The standard for practice, explaining and completing the Qur’an, the second source of law.
Hadith	The documents and narrations that record the Sunnah.	The means of recording and transmitting the Sunnah, consisting of a chain of narrators and content
Shariah	The comprehensive system of Islamic law, based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.	Standardizes law, ethics, and rules of conduct for Muslim life.

As can be seen, the Qur’an is the foundation, the Sunnah is the living explanation and application of the Qur’an, the Hadith is the tool for recording the Sunnah, and Shariah is the legal system built from both the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

Classification of Sunnah

Sunnah is not a single entity but is classified into different forms, depending on its expression. Understanding these types helps us to identify and apply the Sunnah accurately in life:

The three main forms of Sunnah:

1. Sunnah Qawliyyah (Sayings): These are the words, advice, commands, or guidance spoken by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
   • Example: One of his famous teachings is: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” This teaching emphasizes the importance of love and compassion for others, becoming a moral compass for Muslims.
2. Sunnah Filiyyah (Actions): This includes the practical actions that the Prophet performed throughout his life. These are concrete illustrations of how to apply Islamic principles.
   • Example: The way he performed the ritual prayer (Salat) – from the standing posture, bowing, prostrating, to the recitations. Although the Qur’an commands prayer, it is the Sunnah Filiyyah that provides the details on how to perform this ritual correctly.
3. Sunnah Taqririyyah (Tacit Approval): This is the silent approval of the Prophet in the face of an action or statement by someone else that he witnessed without objecting. This implies that the action is acceptable in Islam.
   • Example: On one occasion, some companions ate desert lizard meat in front of the Prophet Muhammad. He did not eat it, but he also did not stop or object to them. His silence was understood as approval, indicating that eating lizard meat is permissible in Islam.

Classification by level of adherence:

Additionally, Sunnah is also classified according to the necessity of adherence:

• Sunnah Mu’akkadah: These are actions that the Prophet Muhammad regularly performed and emphasized their importance. Although not obligatory like a duty (Fard), they are highly recommended, and intentionally omitting them can be considered a serious moral shortcoming.
  • Example: Performing the Sunnah prayers (voluntary prayers) before or after the Fard (obligatory) prayers.
• Ghair Mu’akkadah: These are good actions that the Prophet also performed, but less frequently or without emphasis. Performing these actions brings blessings, but if not performed, the believer is not blamed or considered deficient.

Understanding these types of sunnah helps Muslims gain a deeper insight into how to build their lives according to the model of the Prophet Muhammad, thereby strengthening their faith and perfecting themselves.

The Role and Significance of Sunnah in Islam

Sunnah plays an indispensable role in the structure of Islamic belief and practice, deepening the meaning and application of the Qur’an. It is the second pillar, along with the Qur’an, that forms the entire system of doctrine and law of Islam.

Sunnah as the second source of law after the Qur’an:

In Islam, the Qur’an is the supreme source of revelation, the direct word of Allah. However, the Qur’an often provides general principles and guidance. It is the Sunnah that specifies, explains, and applies these principles to life.

• For example, the Qur’an commands the performance of Salat (prayer), but it is the Sunnah that provides detailed instructions on the number of prayers per day, the movements, the recitations, and the specific times for each prayer.
• Similarly, the Qur’an commands the payment of Zakat (obligatory charity), but the Sunnah specifies the exact rates, the types of assets subject to Zakat, and the method of distribution.

This is widely recognized by Islamic scholars, affirming that the Sunnah is an essential source of explanation for the laws in the Qur’an and cannot be separated from it.

The profound influence of the Sunnah:

Sunnah is not limited to rituals of worship but also influences every aspect of a Muslim’s life:

• Religious life: From personal hygiene, eating, sleeping, to behavior in the mosque.
• Law and social codes of conduct: Sunnah is the foundation for building Shariah (Islamic law) and fiqh (jurisprudence), governing issues of marriage, inheritance, economic transactions, crime, and justice. All rulings by Islamic courts, at any level, must be based on both the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
• Community ethics: The Sunnah provides a model for honesty, humility, patience, compassion, tolerance, and altruism – qualities that create a strong and moral Muslim community.

In summary, the Sunnah is not just a collection of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, but also a detailed map guiding believers to live a meaningful life, adhere to the teachings, and achieve the pleasure of Allah.

How to Apply Sunnah in Muslim Life

Applying the Sunnah is not just a ritualistic act but a comprehensive way of life that shapes every aspect of a Muslim’s life. It is the guiding principle for each individual to strengthen their faith and build a just and moral society.

Sunnah in the practice of Ibadah (worship):

Ibadah are the acts of worshipping Allah, and the Sunnah provides specific details for each of these rituals, ensuring that believers perform them correctly according to the model of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

• Prayer (Salat): The Sunnah provides detailed guidance on each posture (standing, bowing, prostrating), the number of Raka’at (units of prayer) for each session, and specific recitations.
• Fasting during Ramadan: The Sunnah specifies the times to start and end the fast each day (Suhur and Iftar), as well as actions to avoid or perform during this sacred month.
• Zakat Charity: Although the Qur’an commands Zakat, the Sunnah specifies the types of assets subject to Zakat (gold, silver, currency, livestock, agricultural produce), the Nisab (minimum threshold), and the percentage to be paid, ensuring social justice.
• Hajj Pilgrimage: Every step in the Hajj ritual, from wearing the Ihram (pilgrimage garments), Tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba), Sa’i (running between Safa and Marwa) to the rituals at Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat, is described in detail in the Sunnah.
  

  

Sunnah in social conduct and ethics:

Beyond rituals of worship, the Sunnah is also a model for ethics and social conduct. Muslims are encouraged to emulate the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad in all interactions and relationships:

• Honesty and keeping promises: Prophet Muhammad was famous for his nickname Al-Amin (The Trustworthy) even before becoming a Prophet.
• Humility and generosity: He always treated everyone equally, regardless of status or wealth.
• Patience and tolerance: Whether facing hardship or unfair treatment, he always maintained a patient attitude and was willing to forgive.
• Respect for others: He taught believers to respect the elderly, love children, and treat neighbors kindly, regardless of religion.
• Caring for the poor and needy: The Sunnah encourages charity, helping the less fortunate, and sharing wealth.

Adhering to the Sunnah not only helps Muslims practice the teachings correctly but also strengthens faith, increases blessings, and builds a strong Islamic identity in the community. It is a continuous journey of self-improvement following the great example of the Prophet.

Distinguishing Between Sunnah and Hadith

In many discussions about Islam, the terms Sunnah and Hadith are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion. However, they have clear differences in nature and role.

Clear Definition of Hadith:

Hadith are documents that record the sayings, actions, and (tacit) approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In other words, Hadith is the medium, the “container” for preserving and transmitting the Sunnah. Each Hadith consists of two main parts:

1. Isnad (Chain of narrators): The list of people who transmitted the Hadith from the Prophet to the one who recorded it.
2. Matn (Content): The actual saying, description of an action, or approval of the Prophet.

The Sunnah-Hadith Relationship:

• Sunnah is the content, Hadith is the form: Sunnah is the model, the standard of living, the collection of behaviors and teachings with historical and doctrinal significance. Hadith, on the other hand, are the texts, the recorded narrations that serve as evidence to establish the Sunnah.
• To make it easier to visualize: If Sunnah is the “recipe,” then Hadith is the “cookbook that records the recipe.” The “recipe” is what you practice, while the “cookbook” is where you find the recipe.

Religious Value and Criteria for Hadith Authenticity:

Not all Hadith have equal value in establishing the official Sunnah. For a Hadith to be considered reliable and a basis for religious law or ethics, it must undergo a rigorous authentication process. The criteria include:

• Continuity of the chain of narrators (Isnad): The chain of narrators must be continuous, without any breaks, from the last narrator back to the Prophet.
• Reliability of the narrators (Integrity of narrators): Each person in the Isnad chain must have good moral character, a sound memory, and not be known for lying or making mistakes.
• Consistency with the Qur’an and other strong Hadith: The content of the Hadith must not contradict the Qur’an or other strongly authenticated Hadith.

Only Hadith classified as Sahih (authentic) or Hasan (good) are qualified to serve as a basis for the Sunnah and thus form Islamic law. Conversely, weak (Da’if) or fabricated (Mawdu’) Hadith are rejected.

See more:
What is Hadith? Exploring the Treasure Trove of Islamic Knowledge

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