Lesson 7: The Status of the Sunnah in The Qur'an: Part Two Flashcards
Verse that shows the command to go back to the Sunnah in times of differences and disagreements
- <aside>
> **يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِى ٱلۡأَمۡرِ مِنكُمْۖ فَإِن تَنَٰزَعۡتُمۡ فِى شَىۡءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيۡرٌ وَأَحۡسَنُ تَأۡوِيلًا**
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> **O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.**
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> -Nisa 59
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Allah commands obedience to 3:
1. himself ﷻ
2. His messenger ﷺ
3. Those in authority (the scholars and the rulers)
- the word obey is not repeated for the third one, and there is a benefit to this.
- **Obedience to ﷲ and his messenger ﷺ is instant and absolute, there are no exceptions.**
- The scholars have obedience of knowledge, we obey them because of the knowledge they have over us, and this knowledge has a degree of obedience associated with it.
- We obey the rulers because of the authority over us.
- Neither the obedience to the scholars or the rulers is absolute, rather they are conditional, and we obey as long as we are not disobeying Allah and his messenger by following them. Otherwise,
> **لَا طَاعَةَ لِمَخْلُوقٍ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ الْخَالِقِ**
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> *There is no obedience to a created being in disobedience to the Creator.*
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- This shows the status of the Sunnah, that it deserves absolute obedience.
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Verses that show the command to Follow the Prophet’s ﷺ Guidance
- <aside>
> **ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَـٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَـٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ**
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**Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written [i.e., described] in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and prohibits them from what is wrong and makes lawful for them what is good and forbids them from what is evil and relieves them of their burden1and the shackles which were upon them.2So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.**
-Al ‘Araf 157
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The expression here is very important, Allah may he be glorified and exalted, did not say وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟هُ- They follow him, but rather the light that was sent down with him.
And this light is the Quran and Sunnah, as we see in Surah Najm
This isn’t just about him as a person, but the knowledge that was sent down with him.
And Noor many times in the Quran, refers to knowledge.
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> **قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ ٱلْأُمِّىِّ ٱلَّذِى يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَٱتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ**
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**Say, [O Muḥammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allāh to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allāh and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allāh and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.**
-Al A’raf 158
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Only by following him and Sunnah can we achieve guidance.
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Verse that shows the severe Punishment for the one who goes against the command of the messenger
- <aside>
> **لَّا تَجْعَلُوا۟ دُعَآءَ ٱلرَّسُولِ بَيْنَكُمْ كَدُعَآءِ بَعْضِكُم بَعْضًۭا ۚ قَدْ يَعْلَمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنكُمْ لِوَاذًۭا ۚ فَلْيَحْذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِۦٓ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ**
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**Make not the calling of the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) among you as your calling one of another. Allâh knows those of you who slip away under shelter (of some excuse without taking the permission to leave, from the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah - legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.**
-Nur 63
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Some of the Sahaba said the meaning of Fitnah here is Shirk, that a person will fall into making a partner with Allah, or severe painful punishment.
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The above is the threat for the one who disobeys the command of the messenger, which is clear in showing the result of opposing the Sunnah, and the most common form of it is falling into Shirk.
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Verse that shows the command to implement the Messenger’s Commands, and Keep away from his Prohibitions
- <aside>
> **مَّآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰ فَلِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ كَىْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةًۢ بَيْنَ ٱلْأَغْنِيَآءِ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ**
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**What Allâh gave as booty (Fai’) to His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from the people of the townships - it is for Allâh, His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), the kindred (of Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), the orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor), and the wayfarer, in order that it may not become a fortune used by the rich among you. And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).1And fear Allâh; verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.**
-Hashr 7
</aside>The word مَّآ is general, it covers everything, so it is everything the messenger gives us we take, and everything he prohibits we stay away from.Allah is severe in punishment with the one who does not do such.This shows us the importance and status of the Sunnah.- There is a severe punishment for the one who goes against it
- Everything that we are commanded to follow and stay away from in the Sunnah must be obeyed and followed.
With regards to the verse in Surah Hashr that shows the command to implement his Commands, and Keep away from his Prohibitions, the verse had come down specifically about al Fai’, the war booty, so why are we using a specific verse to prove something?
- The reason is because of the principle of Tafsir:
> ٱلْعِبْرَةُبِعُمُومِٱللَّفْظِلَابِخُصُوصِٱلسَّبَبِThe consideration {key thing} is with the generality of the wording, not the specificity of the reason
It could be the case an Ayah came down because of a companion, or an incident, the question would then be if its limited to those companions or that context, or for all Muslims or all times? The answer is that it’s for all the Muslims and all times, as long as there is no specific evidence to limit it, such as:
> وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا۟ وَلْيَصْفَحُوٓا۟ ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌAnd let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allāh, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allāh should forgive you? And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.-Nur 22
This was revealed with regards to Abu Bakr and a companion named mistah, (may Allah ahve mercy and be pleased with them both) who when he was involved with the slander of our mother Aishah, Abu Bakr swore that he would not give him anything.
This ayah that came just because of what Abu Bakr, was for all of the muslims, the only thing was that it came down because of Abu Bakr.
The reasoning of why a verse came down isn’t as important provided the word is general.
So in Surah Hashr, the word مَّآ is general, it covers everything, so it is everything the messenger gives us we take, and everything he prohibits we stay away from.
How The Sunnah Explains and Clarifies the Quran
The nature of the Quran is:
- It is summarized (words, and chapters) generally
The nature of the Sunnah is:
- Much larger than the Quran
- Many more small details
Examples of how the Sunnah explains and clarifies the Quran
- > وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَAnd establish prayer and give zakāhThis is a general statement, it does not give the details of how it is supposed to be performed, the pillars, what is supposed to be done.Does not specify the Zakah, how much etc.Some of it is clarified in the Quran, like describing who it goes to:> إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌZakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise-Tawbah 60But as for the general concept of Zakah, only the tiniest rulings are given in the Quran, the same with Salah, Hajj etc.> فِيهِ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌۭ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًۭا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَIn it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqâm (place) of Ibrâhîm (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah ) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allâh], then Allâh stands not in need of any of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)1.Surah Imran ayah 97and> فِيهِ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌۭ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًۭا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَThe Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islâmic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj1therein (by assuming Ihrâm), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allâh knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!-Baqarah 197What is done on the first day, where do you do after arafah, etc are not mentioned.The Sunnah is not there to replace the Quran, but rather to explain and clarify what is meant in the Quran.For example, the companions would misunderstand what an ayah meant.Such as the statement of Allah.> ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَIt is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allâh), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.1-An’am 82This Ayah promised safety and guidance for those who do not commit oppression.The companions looked at the word ظُلْمٍ and this word in the arabic language is:> وَضْعُ شَيْءٍ فِي غَيْرِ مَوْضِعِهِ
Put something in the wrong placeThe looked at this and said there are only really 3 types of Dhulm. And the type of oppression they understood was ظُلْمُ النَّفْسِ-opression of oneself, and they though Allah meant those who do not sin will be given guidance and safetySuch as the statement of Allah> ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۖ فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌۭ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ وَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌۭ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌۢ بِٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْكَبِيرُThen We gave the Book (the Qur’ân) as inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allâh’s Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur’ân) - that is indeed a great grace.-Surah Fatir ayah 32So this Ayah was heavy on them, and asked the messenger which of them do not sin? And the messenger explained it was not as they imagined, but similar to what Luqman said to his son:> وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَـٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌۭAnd [mention, O Muḥammad], when Luqmān said to his son while he was instructing him, “O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allāh. Indeed, association [with Him] is great injustice.”-Luqman ayah 13So they misunderstood the kind of Dhulm the Ayah mentioned. The prophet explained the meaning of oppression here is Shirk, while they understood it to mean sinning.<aside>
> **أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَٱلْـَٔـٰنَ بَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ**
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It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are Libâs [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with them - as in Verse 7:189) Tafsir At-Tabarî ], for you and you are the same for them. Allâh knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allâh has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall. And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I‘tikâf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allâh, so approach them not. Thus does Allâh make clear His Ayât (proofs, evidence, lessons, signs, revelations, verses, laws, legal and illegal things, Allâh’s set limits, orders) to mankind that they may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2).
Some of the companions took this ayah literal, they took a white thread, and a black thread and put it next to their pillow, and at Fajr, they were looking to see when they could see the difference between the two.
The messenger explained that it is the Fajr time when the dawn appears in the sky.
</aside>
Verses showing What and why Allah sent the Sunnah alongside the Quran
- > بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ ۗ وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَWith clear signs and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) the Dhikr [reminder and the advice (i.e. the Qur’ân)], that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.-Nahl ayah 44Here, Allah directly and clearly specified that 2 things were sent down to the people, not 1.Allah sent the dhikr to explain to the people what has been revealed to them.One of them explains the otherwhich is why we say the one that explains the other is the Sunnah, which explains to the people the Quran.<aside>
> **وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۙ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ**
>
>
> **And We have not sent down the Book (the Qur’an) to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم), except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a folk who believe.**
>
---
- Allah sent down the Quran for the messenger to explain to the people.
- A person may object and say it isn’t referring to the Sunnah, but the Quran.
- But the key word is **لِتُبَيِّنَ-** For you oh Muhammed to explain and clarify to them what they differ over. So the Quran comes, and the Prophets job is al Bayaan-to explain what is meant in the Quran.
</aside>
Evidence that some Ayat in the Quran Require explanation
> هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَـٰتٌۭ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌۭ ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌۭ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّۭ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِIt is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations/core of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkâm (commandments), Al-Fara’id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allâh. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord.” And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabarî).-Ali ‘Imran ayah 7
What is meant by مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ is they don’t have more than 1 interpretation that contradict, there is 1, and if there are multiple interpretations they don’t contradict, and this is the majority of verses.
What is meant by مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌۭ ۖ is there are verses that are equivocal in meaning- There are multiple explanations, and these explanations are contradictory (The contradiction isn’t in the Quran, but rather the Tafsir. It could be explained in a manner that is different than another, and these 2 can’t be reconciled, such as one saying halal, another saying Haram).
Stopping at وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ is a correct recitation, all the most of the Qurra’ stopped at وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ.
The Sunnah takes us and guides us with the Mutashabih, the verses that are equivocal in meaning.
We don’t say the ayat which are contradictory, but the meaning has more than 1 option and those options can’t be reconciled.
Verse showing there is No Choice in What Has Been Commanded
- <aside>
> **وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍۢ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۭا مُّبِينًۭا**
>
>
> **It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allāh and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.**
>
> -Ahzab ayah 36
>
---
- Regardless of if the command is in the Quran or the Sunnah, we don't have a choice which demonstrates the status and position of the Sunnah in Islam.
- This verse also ties into the core meaning of Islam, which it itself means- **ٱلْإِسْتِسْلَامُ لِلَّهِ**
to submit to Allah.
Many have forgotten this, Islam isn’t about your personal choices, when Allah and his messenger decree something, you don’t have a choice.
And if one disobeys, it leads to **ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۭا مُّبِينًۭا**-A clear and manifest error.
</aside>
A verse that shows the Sunnah as a Source of Spiritual Life and an explanation of it
- <aside>
> **يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ**
>
>
> **O you who believe! Answer Allâh (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) calls youto that which will give you life,and know that Allâh comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered.**
>
> -Anfal 24
>
---
- Commanded to respond to what Allah and his messenger tell you to that which brings you life.
- The Sunnah is that which brings your heart to life, as one is not physically dead, but one was previously spiritually dead.
Such as the ayah:
> **أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًۭا فَأَحْيَيْنَـٰهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ نُورًۭا يَمْشِى بِهِۦ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُۥ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍۢ مِّنْهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ**
>
>
> **Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men - like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do.**
>
> -Al An’am 122
>
- Look at how Allah describes one before Islam, one before knowledge, and Allah gave the light of knowledge, and that before all of that, you were dead.
---
So in this ayah of Surah Anfal, Allah tells us that what brings us to life is what Allah and his messenger call us and command us to do.
Many people see Islam as having burdens, difficulties, responsibilites, etc, but in reality, before practicing Islam you were dead. There was nothing in that heart that was worthy to be mentioned. And Allah alongside the Sunnah and following the commands of Islam all contribute to bringing us to life. They give you a spiritual life, and they fulfill your purpose in life.
---
And this shows us the status of the Sunnah, as it shows us how we are obliged to follow everything the messenger calls us to, and that will lead to us having life in this world, and the next {paradise}.
---
And there is a warning
> **وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ**
>
>
> **and know that Allâh comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered.**
>
and the meaning of this warning is that if one turns away from the Quran, the Sunnah, Allah will seal your heart, prevents the believer from disbelief and the disbeliever from faith, Prevents oneself from his own heart, so he will neither believe nor disbelieve except by His leave, {Tafsir ibn Kathir.} and that to him we all will return.
</aside>
Verse that shows The Prohibition of Turning Away from the Prophet ﷺ
- > يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَلَا تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَوَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَO you who have believed, obey Allāh and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].And do not be like those who say, “We have heard,” while they do not hear.-Al Anfal 20-21
- Don’t be like those who claim to hear the ayat, ahadith, but never desire or implement it.
- The one who turns from his Sunnah, whether partially or completely, are included.
Verse that proves The Sunnah Contains Beneficial Knowledge and Righteous Actions
- <aside>
> **هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۭا**
>
>
> **He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islâm), that He may make it (Islâm) superior to all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allâh as a Witness.**
>
> -Fath 28
>
---
### **Benefits**:
- The Messenger was sent with 2
- **بِٱلْهُدَىٰ-**The scholars say this is **العِلْمٌ نَافِعٌ- Beneficial knowledge**
- **وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ- The Scholars say this is ٱلْعَمَلُ ٱلصَّالِحُ- Righteous actions**
The Sunnah of the messenger contains these 2- Beneficial knowledge, and righteous actions.
Even without the Tafsir, it contains guidance, and the religion of truth.
</aside>
Evidences that show that Allah instructs bowing, prostration, etc.
This is why if you look at the so called “Quraaniyoon” (who don’t even deserve such a name, rather they should be called Kafiroon as that attributes them to the Qur’ān).
Look at how the pray, fast Ramadan, give zakah etc, you’ll see it’s missing so many things.
One of them prays 3 times a day, as the Quran only mentions 3 (which isn’t even correct as the Qur’ān does mention all 5).
One of them does not give any zakah
Another does not fast according to the rulings of ramadan.
There is even from some of them Ruku’ even though that is mentioned in the Quran
<aside>
> **وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ ٤٣**
>
>
> **And establish prayer and give zakāh1and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].**
>
> -Baqarah 43
>
</aside>
Some of them don’t even do Sujūd despite the vast amount of verses that tell us to do so
<aside>
> **فَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ۩**
>
>
> **So fall you down in prostration to Allâh and worship Him (Alone).**
>
> -Najm 62
>
</aside>
<aside>
> **كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب ۩**
>
>
> **No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allāh].**
>
> -Alaq 19
>
</aside>
<aside>
> **يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱفْعَلُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ۩**
>
>
> **O you who have believed! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful.**
>
> -Hajj 77
>
</aside>
The same is the case with other deviants, such as the Ismailīs, who stand in a row or as a group, say oh ﷲ forgive me, and move on with their day.
As Muslims, this is not the case, as:
> الأَمْرُ بِالصَّلَاةِ لَا يَتِمُّ إِلَّا بِالسُّنَّةِThe command for prayer is not complete except with the Sunnah
And this applies to many other things as well, where ﷲ commands us something in the Quran, which cannot be fulfilled except with the Sunnah.
Examples of how The Quran Endorses the Sunnah
- The Quran speaking of something that came from the Sunnah
سَيَقُولُ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَا وَلَّاهُمْ عَن قِبْلَتِهِمُ الَّتِي كَانُوا عَلَيْهَا ۚ قُل لِّلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ۚ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
The foolish among the people will say, “What has turned them away from their qiblah, which they used to face?” Say, “To Allah belongs the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a straight path.”
-Baqarah 142
The new Qibla facing Mecca is proven in the Quran
قَدْ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ۖ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضَاهَا ۚ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ ۗ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ
We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.
-Baqarah 144
وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And from wheresoever you start forth (for prayers), turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid-Al-Harâm (at Makkah), that is indeed the truth from your Lord. And Allâh is not unaware of what you do.
-Baqarah 149
However, the command to face Jerusalem, the first Qibla came from the Sunnah. When Allah speaks about it, he speaks of it as something that was already being done and known by the Muslims.
This is one out of the many examples of Allah speaking of something in the Sunnah as something already known.
The Quran and Sunnah are not separated from each other
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْىٌۭ يُوحَىٰ
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
It is only a Revelation revealed.
-Najm 3-4
rather Allah speaks about something from the Quran, and something from Sunnah he may speak about something in both, or something in only one of them.
As such there was no discussion on the old Qibla, Allah didn’t say you had been told to face Jeruselem, now face Masjid Haram, etc.
When you remove the Sunnah and use the Quran alone, you remove the religion of Islam in it’s entirety.
And the examples of that are the deviant groups that sprung from this idea, we shouldn’t even say they have 90,95% of Islam, rather they have nothing of Islam left.
And this is the meaning of the statement of Allah:
فَلْيَحْذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِۦٓ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah - legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.
-Nur 63
