The Holy Quran and Sunnah cannot be separated because without Sunnah (the sayings and actions of the Holy Prophet), we cannot understand the Quran.

In fact, the absence of Sunnah could have led to wrong interpretations and therefore, it is essential for a Muslim to believe in both.

This was all bout the introduction to this topic. So, let’s move into further details without further introductions.

Relationship between Quran and Sunnah:

The relationship between Quran and Sunnah is very important to understand because both of them are primary sources of Islamic law. Ijma and Qiyas, on the other hand, are the secondary sources of Islamic law.

Relationship between Quran and Sunnah
Relationship between the Quran and Sunnah

The Quran is the word of Allah almighty. Therefore, it contains only instructions in a brief manner. The ahadith are there to elaborate those commandments of the Holy Quran.

This is because Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran to obey Allah and his messenger (4:59 Surah Nisa). Here, obeying Allah is following the Quran and obeying messengers refers to the following of the Hadith and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).

The same message is also given in Surah Nahl (chapter 16) in its verse 44. The Quran says:

“[We sent them] with clear proofs and written ordinances. And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.”

Moreover, it is important for us to know that the Hadis may work as the primary or secondary source of guidance. This means that if the Quran is silent on an issue but the Hadis talks about it then, in that case, it will work as the primary source of guidance.

However, if the Hadis and Sunnah talk about a topic that is already mentioned in the Quran then, in that case, it will be considered the secondary source of guidance.

Now, lets understand this topic with the help of some examples.

Some examples:

Pillars of Islam:

If we take a look at the pillars of Islam, some of them are Zakat, Hajj, Fasting and Prayer. The Quran talks about them. However, the method of performing hajj, sawm and prayer is not mentioned.

For instance, the Quran commands to pay Zakat in Surah Baqarah as:

And establish regular prayer and pay the charity tax.

Al-Quran (2:43 Al-Baqarah).
Relationship between Quran and Sunnah

However, there are no instructions about who has to pay zakat, who are the recipients of zakat and to whom zakat cannot be paid. With these, other important queries are also addressed through the ahadith and Sunnah. There is a separate chapter in Sahih Bukhari that talks about the topic.

Moreover, the Quran also commands Muslims to perform Hajj if they are wealthy enough to afford the journey and they have the physical capability for this pillar.

The Prophet (PBUH) not only demonstrated the method of Hajj and Umrah at the time of the farewell pilgrimage and in 8 A.H, but he also addressed some important concerns regarding the topic.

Similarly, the Quran commands Muslims to pray salat (prayer). The details about the raka’at in each prayer and the method of performing them have been clearly mentioned the Hadis books.

Related: Compilation of the Quran GCE | 3 Interesting facts

Crime and Punishment:

When it comes to crime and punishment, the Quran (5:38 Al-Maida) orders to cut the hand of the male or female that have been involved in a theft.

The Prophet (PBUH) elaborated that the hand has to be cut up to the wrist even if a quarter of dinar has been stolen.

Similarly, the Quran declares drinking as Satan’s handiwork and therefore, it commands Muslims to shun this evil act. The Prophet (S.A.W) ordered 40 lashes to a drunkard. This amount of increased to 80 later on on the insistence of Hazrat Ali (R.A).

These examples clearly elaborate on the relationship between Quran and Sunnah.

The Quran and Sunnah are the two guiding sources for all Muslims which they should consult for staying in the right path.

There are some Muslims who denies Sunnah as a source of guidance. This ideology is completely false. It is because ahadith are the interpretation of the Quran. They provide the Tafseer (commentary) of the Quran and Hadis never go against the Quran.

Secondly, the judge the history of the narration of the ahadith are questionable. This ideology is completely false. The companions of the Prophet (PBUH) not only memorized the Quran but they also memorized his ahadith.

Relationship between Quran and Sunnah

This was because they had excellent memory and the transmission of Quran was vital through its compilation in written form.

It is a Hadith in Musnad-i-Ahmad that the Prophet (peace be upon him said) that “I have been given the books and something similar to it”. The book refers to the Quran and “something similar to it” refers to the Prophet’s (PBUH) ahadith and Sunnah.

Furthermore, the Quran says:

And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allah’ indeed, Allah is severe in Penalty

Surah Hashr (59:7)

What is the difference between Quran and Sunnah:

The Quran is the word of Allah while the ahadith are the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Sunnah are the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

Also Read: Allah in Himself | GCE O Level Quranic passages

The Sunnah is the second source of religious knowledge and guidance after the Quran. Similarly, Ijma and Qiyas are the secondary sources of Islamic law. On similarities, Hadith and Sunnah are the sources of Islamic Shari’ah; they are mutually used and make the basis of Islamic history.

Therefore, although the Quran and Sunnah are very different when it comes to their relationship, a Muslim cannot deny anyone of them. When it comes to ahadith, various compilations are there such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

Conclusion:

With this the topic about the relationship between Quran and Sunnah has come to an end. Thank You very much for reading and staying with me till the end.

Relationship between Quran and Sunnah
The Holy Quran

The topic is very important to be addressed because there are some people who need guidance regarding the topic.

See: O Level Islamiat Articles of Faith Notes (Must Read)

Thus, we tried to provide your proper guidance. To conclude, Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Sunnah is vital to follow to remain on the righteous path. If we keep hold of the Quran and Sunnah, we can find guidance in all aspects of our life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *