Virtue and Importance of Following the Sunnah in Islam

✒ Compiled by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi

Introduction: The Command to Follow the Sunnah​

Allah ﷻ commands in the Qur'an:
﴿وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا ۚ﴾
"Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it..."
(Al-Hashr: 7)

Definition and Scope of Sunnah​

Sunnah refers to the sayings, actions, approvals, and way of life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It serves as a practical explanation of the Qur’an and is essential in Islamic jurisprudence and everyday practice.

Virtues and Importance of Sunnah in 40 Authentic Hadiths​

Here is a compilation of forty authentic Hadiths reflecting the significance, rewards, and consequences tied to following the Sunnah:

① Starting a Good Sunnah​

"Whoever initiates a good Sunnah, he will receive its reward and the reward of those who act upon it..."
(Sahih al-Jami‘ – al-Albani, Hadith 172)

② Avoiding the Sunnah is a Sign of Separation​

"Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 5063)

③ Practical Example of Observance​

A man prayed two Rak‘ahs after Fajr. When the Prophet ﷺ was informed that he had missed the Sunnah before Fajr, he ﷺ remained silent – signifying approval.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 619 – Sahih by al-Albani)

The Importance of Sunnah​

④ Obedience to the Prophet is Obedience to Allah​

"Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah."
(Sahih Muslim: 4747)

⑤ Clear Path Left by the Prophet ﷺ​

"I have left you upon clear guidance, its night is like its day..."
(Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 49)

Warning Against Innovations​

⑥ Every Innovation is Misguidance​

"Every innovation is misguidance."
(Sahih Muslim: 2005)

⑦ Innovation Invalidates Deeds​

"Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (Islam) something that is not from it – it is rejected."
(Sahih Bukhari: 2697)

⑧ No Repentance for a Persisting Innovator​

"Allah has veiled repentance from every innovator until he abandons his innovation."
(Sahih Targhib wa Tarhib, Hadith 52)

Sunnah over Personal Opinion​

⑨ Abu Bakr & the Grandmother's Inheritance Case​

He only ruled after verifying a Sunnah from trustworthy companions.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 2888 – Sahih)

⑩ Umar on the Diya for a Miscarriage​

Confirmed and implemented only after validation from two companions.
(Sahih Muslim: 4397)

Sunnah Complements the Qur’an​

⑪ Sunnah is a Parallel Revelation​

"Indeed, I have been given the Qur’an and something similar to it along with it (Sunnah)..."
(Sunan Abi Dawud: 3848 – Sahih)

⑫ The Danger of Denying Sunnah​

"Let me not find any of you reclining on his couch, when a matter of mine comes to him... saying: 'We follow only what we find in the Qur’an.'"
(Sunan Abi Dawud: 3849 – Sahih)

The Sahabah's Reverence for the Sunnah​

From Ibn Umar’s reaction to someone altering a Sunnah during sneezing to Umar’s firm adherence to Sunnah over speculation – the Sahabah’s attitude reflects their deep commitment to the path of the Prophet ﷺ.

Legacy of the Sunnah​

The Prophet ﷺ left behind two sources of guidance:

"I leave behind two things: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah. If you adhere to them, you will never go astray."
(Sahih al-Jami‘, Hadith 2937)

Conclusion​

The path of success in this life and the Hereafter lies in strict adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Innovations are deviations. The Sahabah, the best of this Ummah, upheld Sunnah as sacred, and so must we.

وَصَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَىٰ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلٰى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ