THE STATUS OF

THE SUNNAH
IN ISLAM

POSITION OF THE PROPHET

expounder of the Qurn appointed by Allh



And We revealed to you [i.e. Muammad] the message [i.e. the
Qurn] that you may make clear to the people what was sent
down to them.

A clear example would be the order to perform salt

mentioned in the Qurn, whereby the explicit details of
how to perform the alt are not prescribed in it, but the
Messenger demonstrated how it should be performed

 given legislative power

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find
written [i.e. mentioned] in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel,
who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and
makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them evil and
relieves them of their burden [i.e. difficulties in religious practices]. So
they who have believed in him, honoured him, supported him and followed
the light which was sent down with him it is those who will be successful.

 the model and example to be followed for the Muslim

community in every aspect of life



There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allh an
excellent pattern [i.e. an example to be followed] for anyone
whose hope is in Allh and the Last Day and [who]
remembers Allh often.
This uswah is available to Muslims in the Sunnah of the
Messenger . Without the Sunnah, Muslims will be
deprived of that example which, throughout time, has
guided Muslims towards excellence.

 concern of the Messenger for his ummah depicts

that the relationship between believers and the
Messenger is a very close, personal one of love,
devotion and respect

There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among
yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is]
concerned over you [i.e. your guidance] and to the believers is
kind and merciful.

 obligatory for Muslims to be totally obedient to the

Messenger

O you who have believed, obey Allh and obey the Messenger
and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over
anything, refer it to Allh and the Messenger, if you should
believe in Allh and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and
best in result.

 Allh made it a prerequisite of true faith to accept all

judgements of the Messenger

But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they
make you [Muammad] judge concerning that over which they
dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no
discomfort form what you have judged and submit in [full,
willing] submission.

 the commands of both Allh and His Messenger

are binding upon Muslims.
obedience here means full and not half-hearted
submission.
the Messenger's whole life, decisions, judgements
and commands have binding authority and ought to
be followed in all aspects of life.

 Allh has protected the Messenger from

committing mistakes or being forgetful, that may
jeopardise his mission to convey the message of
Allh to mankind
*
Nor does he [i.e. Muammad] speak from [his own]
inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.

 to secure Allh's affection and forgiveness, one must

follow the Messenger .
following the Messenger is a manifestation of
loving Allh.


Say [O Muammad], If you should love Allh, then follow
me, [so] Allh will love you and forgive your sins. And Allh
is Forgiving and Merciful.

 the authority of the Messenger has been

explicitly laid out in the Qurn.
Therefore, from the very beginning of the
mission of the Messenger , Muslims have
accepted all his verbal commands, actions and
tacit approvals as a way of life, binding factor
and a model which ought to be emulated