Why follow Sunnah.

umm hussain

Junior Member
QUESTION:
Why do we have to follow the Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) and not just follow the Qur’an only?

ANSWER:
Praise be to Allaah.

The first question may appear strange and somewhat surprising to committed, practising Muslims. How can something which is so obviously one of the bases of Islaam become a matter for discussion and debate? But since the question has been asked, we will present, with the help of Allaah, the principles and bases of the importance of the Sunnah, the obligation to follow it and the ruling concerning those who reject it. By so doing, we will also refute the
doubters and the misguided group who call themselves "Qur'aaniyyeen" (in reality the Qur'aanhas nothing to do with them!) Insha Allaah this discussion will be of benefit to everyone who wants to understand the truth of the matter.

Proof of the importance of the Sunnah

(1) The Qur'aan speaks of the importance of the Sunnah, for example:

(a) Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allaah . . ." [al-Nisaa' 4:80] Allaah described obedience to the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) as being a part of obedience to Him. Then He made a connection between obedience to Him and obedience to the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam): "O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger . . ." [al-Nisaa' 4:59]

(b) Allaah warns us not to go against the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam), and states that whoever disobeys him will be doomed to eternal Hell. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): ". . . And let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment beware, lest some fitnah (trial, affliction, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them." [al-Nur 24:63]

(c) Allaah has made obedience to His Prophet a religious duty; resisting or opposing it is a sign of hypocrisy: "But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you
[Muhammad] judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission." [al-Nisaa' 4:65]

(d) Allaah commands His slaves to respond to Him and His Messenger: "O you who believe! Answer Allaah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life . . ." [al-Anfaal 8:24]

(e) Allaah also commands His slaves to refer all disputes to him: ". . . (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger . . ." [al-Nisaa' 4:59]

(2) The Sunnah itself indicates the importance of the Sunnah. For example:

(a) Al-Tirmidhi reported from Abu Raafi' and others that the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "I do not want to see any one of you reclining on his couch and, when he hears of my instructions or prohibitions, saying `I don't accept it; we didn’t find any such thing in the Book of Allaah.'" Abu `Eesaasaid: This is a saheeh hasan hadeeth. (See Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Shaakir edition, no. 2663).

Al-'Irbaad ibn Saariyah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Would any of you think, reclining on his couch, that Allaah would only describe what is forbidden in the Qur'aan? I tell you, by Allaah, that I have warned and commanded and prohibited things that are as important as what is in the Qur'aan, if not
more so." (Reported by Abu Dawud, Kitaab al-Khiraj wa'l-imaarah wa'l-fay').

(b) Abu Dawud also reported from al-'Irbaad ibn Saariyah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that "the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) led us in prayer one day, then he turned to us and exhorted us strongly . . . (he said), `Pay attention to my sunnah (way) and the way of the Rightly-guided Khaleefahs after me, adhere to it and hold fast to it.'" (Saheeh Abu Dawud, Kitaab al-Sunnah).

(3) The scholars' consensus (ijmaa') affirming the importance of the Sunnah.

Al-Shaafi'i, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: "I do not know of anyone among the Sahaabah and Taabi'een who narrated a report from the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) without accepting it, adhering to it and affirming that this was sunnah. Those who came after the Taabi’een and those whom we met did likewise: they all accepted the reports
and took them to be sunnah, praising those who followed them and criticizing those who went against them. Whoever deviated from this path would be regarded by us as having deviated from the way of the Companions of the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) and the scholars who followed them, and would be considered as one of the ignorant.

(4) Common sense indicates the importance of the Sunnah.

The fact that the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allaah indicates that we must believe everything he said and obey every command he gave. It goes without saying that he has told us things and given instructions in addition to what is in the Qur'aan. It is futile to make a distinction between the Sunnah and the Qur'aan when it comes to adhering to it and responding to it. It is obligatory to believe in what he has told us, and to obey his instructions.

The ruling concerning those who deny the importance of the Sunnah is that they are Kuffar, because they deny and reject a well-known and undeniable part of the deen.

We ask Allaah to show us the truth and help us to follow it, and to show us falsehood and help us to avoid it. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
 
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