Sunnah
Body of traditions and practices of Muhammad for Muslims.
Sunnah is the body of traditions and practices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad that constitute a model for Muslims to follow. For Muslims, the sunnah is what all the Muslims of Muhammad's time supposedly saw, followed, and passed on to the next generations. However, what constitutes the Sunnah, and its interpretation, depends significantly on the specific Islamic sect and school of thought.
- field
- Islamic theology, law, and practice
- known_for
- Primary source of Islamic law and belief alongside the Qur'an; documented through hadith collections
- definition
- Habitual practice, customary procedure, norm, or way of life; later synonymous with Muhammad's example
Lore & Background
Historically, in pre-Islamic Arabia, the term sunnah referred to 'manner of acting', whether good or bad, and recording it was also an Arab tradition. Later, 'good traditions' began to be referred to as sunnah and the concept of 'Muhammad's sunnah' was established. During the early Islamic period, it included precedents set by both Muhammad and his companions, and the sunnah of Muhammad was not necessarily associated with hadith. The strict focus on Muhammad's example—especially as recorded in hadith—as the only authoritative source of sunnah was established later, particularly by the scholar al-Shafi'i, in the late second century of Islam.
Reader's Guide
The sunnah is primarily documented by hadith—the verbally-transmitted record of teachings, actions, deeds, sayings, and silent approvals attributed to Muhammad—and alongside the Qur'an are the divine revelation delivered through Muhammad that make up the primary sources of Islamic law, beliefs, and theology. The sunnah is classified into different types based on Muhammad's actions: his specific words (Sunnah Qawliyyah), his actions such as habits and practices (Sunnah Fiiliyyah), and silent approvals (Sunnah Taqririyyah). Different Islamic sects document the sunnah differently: Sunnis rely on six major canonical hadith collections (Kutub al-Sittah), Shias on Kutub al-'Arba'a (giving preference to hadiths attributed to the Prophet's family and the Twelve Imams), Ibadis on two collections (Jami Sahih and Tartib al-Musnad), and Sufis hold that Muhammad transmitted his sunnah through a series of Sufi teachers. Some Muslims, such as the Kharijites and Mu'tazilites, have distinguished between the Sunnah and Hadith, accepting the Sunnah as authoritative while being critical of the Hadith's reliability. The Quranist stance on the Sunnah varies from outright rejection to an approach that considers external sources as secondary and dependent on the Qur'an for verification.
Did You Know?
- The word 'sunna' appears several times in the Qur'an, but there is no specific mention of sunnah of the messenger or prophet.
- The strict focus on Muhammad's example as the only authoritative source of sunnah was established later, particularly by the scholar al-Shafi'i.
- In pre-Islamic Arabia, the term sunnah referred to 'manner of acting', whether good or bad.
- Sunni Muslims are also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l-Jamā'ah ('people of the tradition and the community').
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sunnah in Islam?
The Sunnah refers to the recorded habits, customs, and daily practices of the Prophet Muhammad that serve as a living example for Muslims. It encompasses what his early companions observed, adopted, and transmitted to later generations as a model of how to live.
How is the Sunnah preserved and transmitted?
The Sunnah is primarily documented through collections of hadith, which are reports describing Muhammad's sayings, actions, and approvals. These hadith compilations were assembled over centuries by scholars who evaluated the chains of narration for reliability.
What role does the Sunnah play in Islamic law?
Alongside the Qur'an, the Sunnah functions as a foundational source from which Islamic legal rulings and theological beliefs are derived. Jurists in different schools of thought draw upon specific hadith reports to shape their interpretations of law and practice.
Is there a single, fixed definition of what counts as the Sunnah?
No—what is considered part of the Sunnah and how it is interpreted can shift depending on the particular Islamic sect or school of jurisprudence one follows. Some traditions emphasize certain practices as obligatory while others regard them as merely recommended.
How does the Sunnah relate to the Qur'an?
The Sunnah is often described as a practical complement to the Qur'an, providing concrete examples of how its broader principles were lived out by Muhammad and his community. Together, the two form the twin pillars upon which Islamic belief and law are built.
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