In the heart of every believer lies a profound love for Allah and a sincere desire to walk the path that pleases Him. To guide us on this journey, Allah, in His infinite mercy, has not left us to wander aimlessly. He has bestowed upon us two inseparable lights: the glorious Quran and the illuminating Sunnah of His final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah Himself establishes the Prophet’s life as the ultimate standard, declaring in a foundational verse:
"Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often." (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21) 1
This verse is far more than mere praise; it is a divine directive, a celestial signpost pointing us toward the one perfect human model for our faith. It sets the stage for a fundamental question that every Muslim contemplates: We have the Quran, the direct, unadulterated, and perfectly preserved word of Allah. It is our ultimate guide. So, why is the Sunnah—the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him)—also a non-negotiable, indispensable component of our Islamic teachings? How do these two divine sources work together to complete our religion?
To answer this, we must first understand what the Sunnah is. In the simplest terms, the Sunnah is the path, the methodology, and the entire way of life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).1 It is a comprehensive term that encompasses everything authentically narrated from or about him, including:
This complete record of his life has been meticulously preserved and transmitted to us through the science of authentic hadith. If the Quran is the perfect, divine blueprint for a successful life and afterlife, the Sunnah is the master-class taught by the Chief Engineer, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), sent by the Creator Himself to show us precisely how to build it. It is the living, breathing application of the Quran’s timeless principles. This article will explore, based exclusively on the Quran and authentic hadith, why the Sunnah is not merely important but divinely mandated, functionally necessary, and spiritually enriching for every Muslim who seeks the pleasure of their Lord.
The importance of the Sunnah is not a matter of scholarly preference or historical tradition; it is rooted in the direct and unambiguous commands of Allah within the Quran itself. A careful reading of the divine text reveals that obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not optional or secondary, but an integral part of obedience to Allah.
Across the Quran, Allah repeats a specific command with a deliberate and powerful structure. He does not simply say, “Obey Allah’s commands,” but consistently pairs obedience to Himself with obedience to His Messenger. Consider the weight and frequency of these verses:
The linguistic structure here is profoundly significant. The command verb “obey” (ati’u) is mentioned independently for Allah and then repeated for the Messenger. This is not a stylistic redundancy. It establishes that the Messenger is an independent authority who must be obeyed in his own right, for his commands are themselves from a divine source. It signifies that Allah has given us two distinct but complementary sources of guidance: the Quran, which is the direct word of Allah, and the Sunnah, which is the guidance delivered through His Messenger. To claim to obey the first part of the command (“Obey Allah”) while neglecting the second (“and obey the Messenger”) is to render one’s obedience incomplete and to disregard the plain meaning of Allah’s words.
Beyond a legal obligation, following the Sunnah is elevated to the highest spiritual station: it is the definitive proof of one’s love for Allah. Allah Himself sets this condition in a verse that every believer should hold dear to their heart. He instructs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to say:
"Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.' And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Surah Aal-Imran 3:31)
This verse establishes a powerful and beautiful equation. The sincerity of our claim to love Allah is measured by a single, practical test: following the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It transforms the act of adherence from a mere legal duty into an intimate expression of faith and love. The consequence of passing this test is the greatest prize a soul can ever hope to achieve: the love of Allah Himself, and with it, His forgiveness and mercy. Therefore, the Sunnah is not just a path of guidance; it is the path to a reciprocal relationship of love with our Creator.
The inseparable nature of the Quran and Sunnah is further cemented by their role as the ultimate sources of arbitration. In the same verse that commands obedience, Allah provides the framework for resolving all religious disagreements. He says:
"...And if you differ among yourselves concerning any matter, refer it back to Allah and the Messenger..." (Surah An-Nisa 4:59) 5
The scholars of the early generations were unanimous in their understanding of this command. “Referring to Allah” means turning to His Book, the Quran. “Referring to the Messenger” means turning to his Sunnah. This command was not limited to the Prophet’s lifetime. After his death, it means referring to his established and authentically preserved teachings. This verse gives the Sunnah a binding, legislative authority, making it the final point of reference alongside the Quran for settling any matter of faith or practice. To ignore the Sunnah in a dispute is to ignore a direct Quranic command and to leave the disagreement unresolved according to the divine framework.
If the Quran is the divine source of all principles, the Sunnah is its indispensable, living commentary. The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) mission was not simply to be a mailman who delivered a book; he was divinely appointed as its primary teacher and explainer. Without his Sunnah, the foundational commands of the Quran would remain abstract and, in many cases, impossible to implement.
Allah explicitly defines this role for His Messenger in the Quran, leaving no room for doubt. He states:
"...And We have sent down to you [O Prophet] the Reminder (the Quran), so that you may explain to people what has been revealed for them, and perhaps they will reflect." (Surah An-Nahl 16:44) 1
This verse is a cornerstone of our understanding. The purpose of the revelation sent to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was twofold: first, the Quranic text itself, and second, his explanation of that text. The Sunnah is this divinely-mandated explanation. Allah further clarifies this educational mission, stating that He sent a Messenger who would be:
"...reciting to you Our revelations, purifying you, teaching you the Book and wisdom, and teaching you what you never knew." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:151) 1
The “Book” is the Quran, and the “wisdom” (al-hikmah) is the Sunnah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was tasked with teaching both. This proves that the Sunnah is not a human-derived interpretation but a divinely-inspired component of the revelation package, designed to unlock the practical application of the Quran.
Nowhere is the necessity of the Sunnah more apparent than in the five pillars of Islam. The Quran commands us to perform these acts of worship, but it provides very few details on how to perform them. Imagine receiving a manual that simply says, “Assemble the engine.” Without detailed diagrams, a list of parts, and step-by-step instructions, the command is impractical. The Quran commands us to “establish prayer,” and the Sunnah provides the indispensable, divinely-guided instructions.
Let’s examine this with concrete examples.
| General Command in the Quran | The Unanswered Questions | Clarification from the Authentic Sunnah | Key Hadith Reference(s) |
| “And establish prayer…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:43) | How many times a day? At what specific times? How many units (rak’ahs) for each prayer? What are the physical postures (standing, bowing, prostrating)? What do I recite in each position? | The Sunnah establishes the five daily prayers at specific, defined times. It details the number of rak’ahs for each. Most importantly, the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave a comprehensive command: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” The authentic hadith then meticulously document every single step, from the opening Takbir to the final Taslim, including all postures and recitations. | Sahih al-Bukhari 631; 11 |
| “And give zakah…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:43) | How much of my wealth is due? On what types of assets (cash, gold, livestock, crops)? What is the minimum threshold (nisab) I must own before it’s obligatory? How long must I possess it? | The Sunnah specifies the rate of 2.5% on monetary wealth (gold, silver, cash, trade goods) held for one full lunar year above a minimum threshold (nisab). The Prophet (peace be upon him) set the nisab for silver at five uqiyas (200 dirhams) and established specific, different rates for various types of livestock and agricultural produce. | Sahih al-Bukhari 1454; Sahih Muslim 979; 14 |
| “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House—for those who can afford the journey…” (Surah Aal-Imran 3:97) | What are the specific rituals of Hajj? In what order must they be performed? What constitutes the state of Ihram? Where and when do I perform Tawaf, Sa’i, the standing at Arafat, and the stoning at Mina? What do I say and do at each step? | During his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told the people, “Take your rituals (of Hajj) from me.” The Sunnah provides the complete, detailed, and chronological sequence of every rite, from entering the state of Ihram at the miqat to the final farewell circumambulation of the Kaaba. Without this guidance, the Hajj would be impossible to perform. | Sahih Muslim 1218; 16 |
This deliberate structure, where the Quran gives the general command and the Sunnah provides the specific methodology, is not an oversight or a flaw. It is a profound act of divine wisdom. By designing the religion this way, Allah intrinsically wove the authority of His Prophet (peace be upon him) into the very fabric of our most fundamental acts of worship. This creates an unbreakable, functional dependency between the Quran and the Sunnah. To accept the Quranic command to pray is to simultaneously accept the absolute necessity of the Prophet’s Sunnah to learn how to pray. One cannot exist without the other.
The Sunnah’s role extends far beyond being an explanation of the Quran. It stands as an independent source of Islamic law, establishing rulings on matters not explicitly detailed in the Quran. This legislative function is not a human invention but is granted by Allah and rooted in the divine nature of the Prophet’s guidance.
The foundation for the Sunnah’s legislative authority lies in the fact that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not speak from personal opinion in matters of religion. His guidance was also a form of divine revelation. Allah testifies to this in the most emphatic terms:
"Nor does he speak of [his own] desire. It is not but a revelation revealed." (Surah An-Najm 53:3-4) 1
This powerful statement confirms that the Prophet’s religious teachings are divinely inspired. Islamic scholars have distinguished between two types of revelation (wahy): the recited revelation (wahy matlu), which is the Quran with its exact wording from Allah, and the unrecited revelation (wahy ghayr matlu), which is the meaning and guidance inspired in the heart of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and expressed through his own words and actions—the Sunnah. This divine origin is what gives the Sunnah its authority to legislate.
The Quran itself explicitly acknowledges this legislative role. Allah describes His Messenger (peace be upon him) as one 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 the evil..." (Surah Al-A'raf 7:157) 9
The phrasing here is clear: the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself makes lawful (yuhillu) and prohibits (yuharrimu). This is not done from his own whim, but by the permission and inspiration of Allah, as established in Surah An-Najm. Some point to the verse where Allah gently corrects the Prophet (peace be upon him) for prohibiting something for himself to please his wives (Surah At-Tahrim 66:1) as evidence against this authority.19 However, this incident in fact proves the opposite. It demonstrates that the Prophet’s legislation was under constant divine supervision. If there was ever a deviation, even in a personal matter, revelation would come to correct it, thus ensuring that the final, established Sunnah that has reached us is in perfect harmony with Allah’s will.
Note: “This verse corrects a personal choice of the Prophet, not a communal ruling, showing his actions were divinely guided even in private matters
The proof of this principle is found in the numerous binding laws of Islam that are derived solely from the Sunnah. The Quran is silent on these specifics, and without the Sunnah, these rulings would not exist.
The practice of the earliest Muslims provides the most compelling, living evidence of this principle. A powerful example is narrated concerning the first Caliph, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him). A grandmother came to him asking for her share of inheritance. Abu Bakr first replied, “There is nothing prescribed for you in Allah’s Book…” His immediate next step was to say, “…nor do I know anything for you in the Sunnah of the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him).” He did not stop at the Quran. He instinctively and immediately turned to the Sunnah as the next primary source of law. He then gathered the Companions and asked if anyone knew of a prophetic ruling on the matter. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah stood and testified that he was present when the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave the grandmother a sixth. Abu Bakr asked for a confirming witness, and Muhammad ibn Maslamah stood and testified to the same. Upon this confirmation of an authentic Sunnah, Abu Bakr immediately implemented the ruling and granted her the one-sixth share.26
This historical event perfectly encapsulates the methodology of the first generation. For them, the Quran and the authentic Sunnah were the two definitive sources of law. Their unquestioning consensus on this matter is the strongest proof that the Sunnah’s legislative authority is a foundational and non-negotiable principle of Islam.
Beyond the grand pillars of worship and the intricacies of Islamic law, the Sunnah descends into the beautiful details of our daily lives. It provides a comprehensive blueprint for living with grace, purpose, and constant awareness of Allah. By following the Sunnah in our everyday actions, we transform the mundane into the spiritual, turning simple habits into continuous acts of worship that bring immense blessings.
Following the Sunnah in our daily lives is like polishing a mirror. Each small act—the way we eat, sleep, or speak—cleanses our hearts and allows the light of our faith to shine more brightly, reflecting the beautiful character of the Prophet (peace be upon him). This practice cultivates Ihsan (excellence and God-consciousness), closing the gap between our “religious life” and our “worldly life” until they become one seamless pursuit of Allah’s pleasure.
The authentic hadith collections are treasure troves of practical guidance for every moment of our day.
These examples, and countless others, demonstrate that Islam, through the Sunnah, is not a religion to be practiced only in the mosque. It is a complete and holistic way of life. The common thread in all these etiquettes is the cultivation of mindfulness and the remembrance of Allah in actions we might otherwise perform heedlessly. By following these simple Sunnahs, a believer can be in a constant state of worship, earning reward for actions that others do without a second thought. This is the profound beauty of living a life guided by the Prophet’s example.
The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not a historical relic or a secondary set of recommendations. It is a vibrant, living source of guidance that is essential to the faith of every Muslim. As we have seen from the clear verses of the Quran and the authentic hadith:
Ultimately, the journey of following the Sunnah leads back to the most profound spiritual destination: earning the love of Allah. We must return to that pivotal verse: “Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins…'” (Surah Aal-Imran 3:31). The entire purpose of understanding the Sunnah’s importance is to walk this path, the path that guarantees Allah’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.
The rewards for holding fast to this path are immense. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If any one of you improves (follows strictly) his Islamic religion then his good deeds will be rewarded ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed…” (Sahih al-Bukhari 42).33 Especially in our times, when holding to true Islamic teachings can feel challenging, there is an even greater incentive. The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave glad tidings that during times of corruption, the one who patiently adheres to the Sunnah will receive a reward equivalent to that of fifty of the Companions.34 What greater motivation could there be?
Note: “This reward applies to those who remain steadfast in following the Sunnah amidst widespread corruption, highlighting the value of perseverance.”
Conversely, to neglect the Sunnah is to open the door to religious innovation (bid’ah), which the Prophet (peace be upon him) sternly warned against. He said, “You must therefore follow my sunna… Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is error.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Jami` at-Tirmidhi).35 Indeed, it has been narrated that
“No people introduce an innovation without its equivalent being withdrawn from the sunna; so holding firmly to a sunna is better than introducing an innovation.” (Musnad Ahmad).35
The path forward may seem vast, but the first step is simple. Do not be overwhelmed. Choose one Sunnah from this article—just one. Perhaps it is saying Bismillah before your next meal, or making the supplication before you sleep tonight. Revive that one Sunnah in your life, seeking only the pleasure of Allah. Feel the connection, embrace the blessing, and take your first step on the clear, illuminated path to earning the love of Allah by following the one He sent as a mercy to all the worlds.
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