Sunnah

Sunnah refers to the example set by the Prophet Muhammad, including his statements, actions, and approvals, as well as the practices of his companions that were transmitted to later generations. In Islamic thought, the Sunnah serves as a model for proper conduct and a source for understanding how the Qur’an should be applied in daily life.

Etymologically, Sunnah means a path or a way of life. In Islamic usage it encompasses the Prophet’s words (what he said), his deeds (what he did), and his tacit approvals (what he accepted from others). Together, these elements provide practical guidance beyond the Qur’an.

The Qur’an is the primary source of Islamic law and belief, with the Sunnah functioning to explain, illustrate, and implement its commands. Most of the Sunnah is transmitted through hadith literature, which collects reports about the Prophet’s sayings and actions. Hadiths are evaluated for authenticity through chains of transmission and content, with categories such as sahih (sound), hasan (good), and weak.

Sunnah plays a central role in Islamic jurisprudence, alongside the Qur’an. It informs worship practices, ethics, and everyday conduct, and it is used together with other tools of law such as ijma (consensus) and qiyas (analogy). Different schools of Islamic law (madhahib) rely on the Sunnah in varying ways but generally treat it as a key source of rulings.

Across Islamic traditions, there is emphasis on critically assessing reports and recognizing the enduring significance of the Prophet’s example, while interpretations and applications of Sunnah may differ among scholars and communities.