Principle of Preference Between the Actions of the Prophet ﷺ and the Rightly Guided CaliphsAnswered by: Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullah
❖ Question:
If the Prophet ﷺ taught and practiced a certain action, but later one of the Rightly Guided Caliphs adopted a new practice due to a situational need (e.g., the second adhān for Jumuʿah), which should be preferred?
❖ Answer:
When the guidance and practice of the Prophet ﷺ is present, there is no need for any alternative. However, understanding the approach of the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn (righteous predecessors) is essential to avoid self-invented interpretations.
✦ Two Foundational Principles:
① The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is always given preference and stands as the highest authority in matters of belief and practice.
② If one of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafāʾ al-Rāshidīn) adopted a new practice based on ijtihād (qualified reasoning) due to the need of the time, then it is permissible to act upon it, provided it does not contradict any clear and authentic Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
◉ No blame should be placed on someone who chooses to follow the original prophetic practice, especially in matters of ijtihād and temporal need.
✦ Prophetic Instruction:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"عَلَيْكُم بِسُنَّتِي، وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ، عَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ"“Hold firmly to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs after me. Cling to it with your molar teeth.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah: 42)
This ḥadīth highlights the importance and legitimacy of the practices of the Khulafāʾ al-Rāshidīn, provided they are not in direct contradiction to the Sunnah.
✦ Examples of Ijtihād-Based Decisions:
✔ Second Adhān for Jumuʿah:
Instituted by ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه to address the increased population and need for timely attendance.
⮚ No fatwa of bidʿah should be issued on this, but it is valid to assess its original context and current relevance.
✔ 80 lashes for drinking alcohol:
Established by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه due to increased severity of the crime.
⮚ Such contextual decisions can be re-adopted if the same need arises today.
Conclusion:
◈ The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ takes precedence, but the ijtihād of the Rightly Guided Caliphs — if not contradicting prophetic teachings — is acceptable and should not be condemned.
◈ These ijtihād-based rulings were driven by wisdom, public interest, and contextual necessity.
◈ It is essential to understand the reasoning behind such decisions and apply them appropriately in current circumstances.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
