Linguistic and Technical Meanings of Sunnah in Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 559
Question:
Please explain the linguistic and technical meanings of the word Sunnah.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The term Sunnah has four usages:
◄ One linguistic
◄ Three technical
◄ In language, sunnah means: الطریقة المسلوكة — “a trodden path.”
◄ Some linguists say: الطریقة المعتادۃ — “a customary path.”
◄ Others wrote: الطریقة المحمودۃ — “a praiseworthy path.”
The first two meanings are broader, while the third is more specific.
(1) Prophetic Statements, Actions, and Approvals
◄ The sayings, actions, and tacit approvals of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are termed Sunnah.
◄ When sunnah is used in the context of proofs and evidences, this meaning is intended.
◄ Example: هٰذَا الْحُكْمُ ثَابِتٌ أَوْ ثَبَتَ بِالسُّنَّةِ
(2) Recommended (Mandūb) Acts
◄ A sunnah is also a recommended act.
◄ This meaning is usually intended when the term appears in books of rulings.
◄ Example: if it is said “al-amru al-fulānī sunnah,” it means that act is recommended:
✿ not obligatory (wājib)
✿ not compulsory (farḍ)
✿ not permissible (mubāḥ)
✿ not disliked (makrūh)
✿ and not forbidden (ḥarām).
(3) Opposite of Bidʿah (Innovation)
◄ Anything that is not an innovation is also termed Sunnah — even if it is an obligation or compulsory act.
◄ In this sense, sunnah is the opposite of bidʿah.
◄ Just as:
✿ In the first sense, Sunnah is contrasted with the Qur’an.
✿ In the second sense, Sunnah is contrasted with farḍ, mubāḥ, makrūh, and ḥarām.
◄ Which of these three technical meanings is intended depends on the context, wording, and surrounding indications — as with other words that have multiple meanings.
◄ The Qur’an and Hadith do not adopt these later technical distinctions.
Therefore:
◈ It is incorrect to interpret Qur’anic or Prophetic terms solely through technical definitions of later sciences.
◈ Since technical meanings are based on the conventions of specialists, their authenticity does not require Qur’an or Hadith evidence.
For further detail, consult the discussion on Sunnah in Irshād al-Fuhūl.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 559
Question:
Please explain the linguistic and technical meanings of the word Sunnah.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The term Sunnah has four usages:
◄ One linguistic
◄ Three technical
Linguistic Meaning of Sunnah
◄ In language, sunnah means: الطریقة المسلوكة — “a trodden path.”
◄ Some linguists say: الطریقة المعتادۃ — “a customary path.”
◄ Others wrote: الطریقة المحمودۃ — “a praiseworthy path.”
The first two meanings are broader, while the third is more specific.
Technical Meanings of Sunnah
(1) Prophetic Statements, Actions, and Approvals
◄ The sayings, actions, and tacit approvals of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are termed Sunnah.
◄ When sunnah is used in the context of proofs and evidences, this meaning is intended.
◄ Example: هٰذَا الْحُكْمُ ثَابِتٌ أَوْ ثَبَتَ بِالسُّنَّةِ
(2) Recommended (Mandūb) Acts
◄ A sunnah is also a recommended act.
◄ This meaning is usually intended when the term appears in books of rulings.
◄ Example: if it is said “al-amru al-fulānī sunnah,” it means that act is recommended:
✿ not obligatory (wājib)
✿ not compulsory (farḍ)
✿ not permissible (mubāḥ)
✿ not disliked (makrūh)
✿ and not forbidden (ḥarām).
(3) Opposite of Bidʿah (Innovation)
◄ Anything that is not an innovation is also termed Sunnah — even if it is an obligation or compulsory act.
◄ In this sense, sunnah is the opposite of bidʿah.
◄ Just as:
✿ In the first sense, Sunnah is contrasted with the Qur’an.
✿ In the second sense, Sunnah is contrasted with farḍ, mubāḥ, makrūh, and ḥarām.
Clarification
◄ Which of these three technical meanings is intended depends on the context, wording, and surrounding indications — as with other words that have multiple meanings.
◄ The Qur’an and Hadith do not adopt these later technical distinctions.
Therefore:
◈ It is incorrect to interpret Qur’anic or Prophetic terms solely through technical definitions of later sciences.
◈ Since technical meanings are based on the conventions of specialists, their authenticity does not require Qur’an or Hadith evidence.
For further detail, consult the discussion on Sunnah in Irshād al-Fuhūl.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
