Obedience to the Prophet ﷺ and the Authority of Sunnah
The Qur’an clearly commands the obedience of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and establishes the Sunnah as a primary source of Islamic law. It affirms not only the legal standing of the Sunnah but also the scope of the Prophet's authority in religious matters. His commands, rulings, and interpretations are to be implemented fully in Islamic life.
Legislative Authority of the Prophet ﷺ
➊ Authority to Declare Lawful and Unlawful
وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ
(Al-Aʿrāf, 7:156–157)
Translation: He makes lawful for them the pure things and prohibits for them the impure things.
This verse confirms the Prophet’s right to legislate, including declaring things ḥalāl and ḥarām.
➋ Equal Status of Commands from Allah and His Messenger
وَلَا يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
(Al-Tawbah, 9:29)
Translation: They do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful.
The verse illustrates that prohibitions from the Prophet ﷺ carry equal weight to those from Allah Himself.
➌ No Personal Opinion After Divine Command
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ...
(Al-Aḥzāb, 33:36)
Translation: It is not for a believing man or woman to have any choice in a matter when Allah and His Messenger have decided it.
This affirms the binding nature of the Prophet’s rulings.
➍ Accepting the Prophet’s Judgment is a Condition of Faith
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ...
(Al-Nisāʾ, 4:65)
Translation: By your Lord, they do not believe until they make you (O Prophet) a judge in their disputes and accept your decision wholeheartedly.
Accepting the judgment of the Prophet ﷺ is a condition of true faith.
➎ Obligation to Obey Every Command
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ...
(Al-Ḥashr, 59:7)
Translation: Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.
This verse clearly establishes the absolute authority of the Prophet ﷺ in legislation and prohibition.
Interpretive Authority of the Prophet ﷺ
➊ Task of Explaining the Qur’an
لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ
(Al-Naḥl, 16:44)
Translation: So that you may explain to the people what has been revealed to them.
The Prophet ﷺ was divinely assigned the task of explaining the Qur’an.
Examples of Prophetic Interpretation of the Qur’an
❖ Salah (Prayer):
While the Qur’an commands Salah in many verses, the details (e.g., rukūʿ, sujūd, number of rakʿāt) are only found in the Sunnah.
إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا
(Al-Nisāʾ, 4:103)
“Indeed, prayer is obligatory upon the believers at fixed times.”
However, the timing, number, and structure of prayers are explained only through Sunnah.
❖ Zakāh (Almsgiving):
While the Qur’an repeatedly mentions Zakāh, it is the Sunnah that explains:
- Which assets are subject to Zakāh
- The minimum thresholds (niṣāb)
- The exact percentages to be paid
❖ Ḥajj (Pilgrimage):
The obligation of Hajj is stated in the Qur’an:
وَلِلَّـهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ
(Āl ʿImrān, 3:97)
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House…”
But the rites and sequence of Hajj (e.g., tawāf, saʿī, standing at ʿArafah) are clarified only through Sunnah.
❖ Clarification of Ḥarām and Ḥalāl:
The Qur’an mentions ṭayyibāt (pure things) and khabāʾith (impure things), but detailed lists of what is ḥalāl and ḥarām come through the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.
Conclusion
These evidences clearly establish that the Sunnah is a fundamental source of Islamic law. The commands, legislations, and interpretations of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are complementary and integral to the Qur’an. A complete and authentic Islamic life cannot be realized without adherence to the Sunnah.
وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ
And Allah knows best.
