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Should I take Sunnah seriously?

Islam as a religion stands on its sources: The Quran and Sunnah of prophet (S.A.W).

Although Quran holds the priority, the Sunnah of prophet saw has its utmost importance asboth have their own place in our religion especially in Islamic jurisprudence.

QURAN being the holy book is been protected by Allah himself, and it is accepted as a

foundation among all. On the other hand, the status of Sunnah of Prophet (S.A.W), is

questioned by many rationalist Islamic movements, as well as the orientlists both in

previous and modern times. The main question in all these doubts no matter how different

the phrases, Meanings, words or ideas are remains the same. And it is that what is the

status of Sunnah of Prophet (S.A.W)? And do we need to consider it as a source?

The answer to these questions simply is that, Sunnah is the second resource of Islam,whose status is been protected by QURAN itself. There are hundreds of verses which

directs a Muslim to not only respect but also follow and obey the prophet (S.A.W),

illustrating that the faith of a Muslim is never complete without acting upon sunnah.

These verses can be divided into two main types:

Firstly those which directly order Muslims to obey Prophet (S.A.W) and explain thatthe way to God can only be acquired through following Prophets teachings. i.e.:

Say, If you love Allah, follow me: then will Allah love you and forgive you your faults.

And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful [3:32]

Likewise Allah said;Say, Obey Allah and the Messenger; but if they turn away, thenremember thatAllah

loves not the disbelievers [3:33]

And whoso obeys Allah and this Messengerof His shall be among those on whom Allah

has bestowed His blessings, namely, the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the

Righteous. And excellent companions are these [4:70]

Whoso obeys the Messenger obeys Allah indeed; and whoso turns away, then We have

not sent thee as a keeper over them [4:81]

Secondly, those verses which explains the status of our Prophet (S.A.W) as Nabi andRasool, illustrates that his main duty is to convey His message like all other Prophets

have done. i.e.

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We sent Our Messengers with clear Signs and Scriptures. And We have sent down to

thee the Reminder that thou mayest explain to mankind that which has been sent down

to them, and that they may reflect [16:45]

And We have not sent down to thee the Book except that thou mayest explain to them

that concerning which they differ, and as a guidance, and a mercy for a people whobelieve [16:65]

The ayats which make prophet the one who makes the decisions

And it behoves not a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His

Messenger have decided a matter, that there should be a choice for them in the matter

concerning them. And whoso disobeys Allah and His Messenger, surely strays away in

manifest error [33:37]

And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you,

abstain from that. And fear Allah; surely,Allah is Severe in retribution [59:07]

Apart from the directions from the Quran, there are many evidences from Sunnah of

Prophet (S.A.W) itself and life of salaf-al-saleh that gives the Sunah of Prophet the status

after Quran.

Similarly, it Is very logical to act upon the Sunah , as traditionally the leader of any

movement or revolution is always followed. While our Prophet is not only our leader but

also our spiritual guider .In the same manner, the Sunnah of Prophet (S.A.W) is no different

but the explanation and illustration of QURAN. It is clearly impossible to understand and

act upon Islam without the Sunnah .As Ayesha (R.A) said that He was himself the Quran.

Allah (S.W) said :

Verily you have in the Prophet of Allah an excellent model, for him who fears Allah and

the Last Day and who remembers Allah much [33:22]

As if we take Salah (the prayer) for instance, its method is not mentioned in Quran, or

which time is appropriate, or how many rakats should be in a single salat.. All these

questions are answered by Sunnah as per the proper guidance from our Prophet (S.A.W).Same is the case with all other matters of Islam as Hajj, Zakat, Soum etc. Further more, if a

person believes in Quran but denies the orders and guidance of Prophet (S.A.W), he must

be asked that is it possible to benefit from a tree yet rejecting its fruit? Likewise as QURAN

was revealed on Prophet (S.A.W) how can a person deny illustration of a person whose

heart is receiving the message?

Allah (S.W) said:

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And We have sent no Messenger but that he should be obeyed by the command of

Allah [4:65]

It is simply impossible to jot out all the evidences and proofs that shows that Sunnah is a

pillar of Islam. As most of the times these facts and directions are known to us, but indeed

they point towards the importance of the Sunnah of Prophet (S.A.W). We can play our roleby not only respecting it but by giving Sunnah the place in our lives as a true believer. This

is what differentiates Muslims from nonbelievers. In short, the whole Islamic tradition

especially Quran is full of evidences that make Sunnah a source to advocate religion by it

and worth acted upon its orders.