‘Sunnah’ is a word derived from Arabic and translates to ‘tradition’ or ‘way.’ In the Shariah (Islamic Law), the word sunnah defines the actions of the Prophet PBUH. This includes everything he did and everything he approved of. In short, the sunnah provides a physical pathway for Muslims to live on the righteous path. It is an in-depth explanation of the Quran in the text known as hadith. This blog will delve into what a sunnah is, the types of sunnah, and the importance of sunnah in a Muslim’s daily life.
The Importance Of Sunnah
The Quran is a concise book and, therefore, has many general verses. But to thoroughly understand the message of these verses, one has to follow the Sunnah. It provides additional information about Allah’s orders and ensures that every individual can understand the message of their Lord.
What is a Sunnah? The Types Of Sunnah
The sunnahs of the Holy Prophet PBUH are divided into two categories.
Sunnah Mu’akkadah
Sunnah Mu’akkadah, or the ‘emphasized sunnah,’ is the sunnah that the Prophet PBUH performed regularly. He rarely left these sunnah, and therefore, they hold great significance in Islam. Sunnah Mu’akkadah holds the place of wajib, and abandoning it is close to haram.
Examples
- The two rakat prayers before the fard prayer of fajr.
- The two rakat of the maghrib prayer.
Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah
Sunnah ghair mu’akkadah, or the ‘non-emphasized sunnah’ is the sunnah that the Prophet PBUH used to perform with less consistency than the sunnah Mu’akkadah. Sometimes, he would perform them; other times, he would leave them.
Example
- The four rakat prayers before the fard prayer of Asr.
- The four rakat prayers before the fard prayer of Isha.
Sunnah & Legitimacy
Scholars often use the word sunnah compared to the bid’ah (innovation). Therefore, to say that an act of worship is sunnah, like Taraweeh, states that prayer was performed by the Prophet PBUH rather than being innovated by the people. The same goes for someone asking if it is sunnah to use the prayer beads for dhikr, which would mean the same as asking if the Prophet PBUH used the prayer beads. This helps establish a clear distinction between the right acts and acts that can be sinful while encouraging Muslims to act cautiously when it comes to religion.
Sunnah vs. Hadith
Sometimes, the questions of ‘what is a sunnah’ and ‘what is a hadith’ might get mixed up since they are closely related. However, the most significant difference between the two is that the sunnah is the act of the Prophet PBUH, and the hadith is the text in which these sunnah are found.
How Sunnah Shapes A Muslim’s Life
Understanding what is a sunnah and how it is essential to a Muslim’s life is the first step in exploring its depth. It is not only an act that the Prophet PBUH did and encouraged to do, but it is also a whole path to shaping a Muslim’s life in the best possible way. For example, a person who prays the sunnah prayers before or after his fard prayer spends more time praying. Hence, he is growing closer to his lord and his religion.
Another example is if a person wears the sunnah outfit of the Prophet PBUH, he won’t go to haram gatherings, such as a club or concert while wearing that outfit. He will take it off, but for the period he wore it, he had a shield between him and the sins.
Similarly, the sunnah stands as a barrier between Muslims and the numerous temptations in the world. It helps Muslims strengthen their faith and control themselves. Therefore, those who find abiding by the sunnah difficult should always remember that it is only hard in this world, but in the hereafter, it will become a blessing.