INTRODUCING SUNNAH/HADITH Meaning of the expression

The text of the teachings of Islam comprises the following:

1.     1. TheQur’an which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) recited and dictated to his scribes as the revelations from God;

2.     2. The Sunnah/Hadith of the Prophet which are narrations by his companions about his words and deeds. This also includes the narrations of his companions about their own practices during the Prophet’s period on which he did not say anything. Such silence too is considered his tacit approval, as he would not have allowed anything wrong to continue.

Literally Sunnah means deeds and Hadith means sayings but these two terms are used in synonymous manner as several narrations by the Prophet’s companions cover both words and deeds. The English word ‘Tradition(s)’ is used to describe this. [We may use the term Prophetic Tradition(s)]

 

The Importance of Traditions

The Qur'an has reminded dozens of times about the juridical importance of the Hadith:

 

"...obey God and obey the messenger..." (4/59)
"...what the messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids, abstain from it..." (59/7)
"nor doth he speak of his own desire; it is naught save a revelation that is revealed" (53/3-4)
"And verily in the messenger of God ye have a good example for him who looks unto God and the Last Day and remembers God much" (33/21-22).

 

Thus, whatever the Holy Messenger commanded, it was the will of his Divine sender.
Further, the Qur’an, on several issues, gives brief and principled commandments and leaves the details to be got from Prophetic Traditions. For example, the Qur’an commands, "Establish the service of worship," without giving the details of the manner in which it should be observed. The Prophet described certain related information and demonstrated through his own practices the rest details. In other words full required information is available by referring to both the words and deeds of the Prophet. Similar is the case of many other matters like zakah, Fasting and Hajj. The Prophetic Traditions compliment the Qur’anic injunctions.
The importance of the Hadith was increased for the Muslims by the fact that the Prophet Muhammad not only taught, but also took the opportunity of putting his teachings into practice in all the important affairs of life. He lived for twenty-three years after his appointment as the messenger of God. He endowed his community with a religion which he scrupulously practised himself. He founded a state, which he administered as supreme head, maintaining internal peace and order; heading armies for external defence; judging and deciding the litigations of his subjects; punishing criminals, and legislating in all walks of life. He married and provided a model for family life. Another important fact is that he did not declare himself to be above the ordinary law, which he imposed upon others. Therefore his practices did not only involve private conduct, but a detailed interpretation and application of his teachings.
Obviously it is through the Prophet we come to hear the word of Allah; and it is the Prophet himself who can properly explain and demonstrate the precepts in the Qur'an. Without the required explanations and illustrations given by the Prophet, the Qur'an may be misunderstood and misinterpreted by people.
Moreover, the revelation of each of the verses of the Qur'an took place at some critical junctures in the life of the Prophet. Of course, the verses of the Qur’an are of universal application and significance, irrespective of the context in which those verses were revealed. But for their proper understanding and interpretation the context in which they were revealed assume importance. There are other verses that can be understood or interpreted only in the light of the actual context in the life of the Prophet, which called for that revelation.
Hadith, in practical terms, explains, clarifies, and paraphrases the Qur'an. If we ignore or are not aware of the relevant traditions of the Prophet there is always the possibility of not understanding the Qur’anic verses itself.  Teachings of Islam can be had from its basic source comprising the Qur’an along with the traditions of the last Prophet.