Difference between the Quran and Sunnah?
The Quran and the Sunnah are the two main sources upon which Islam is based. These together constitute the cornerstone of the Islamic faith, influencing the moral compass, customs, and beliefs of more than a billion Muslims worldwide.
The Quran, the sacred text of Islam, is regarded as the authentic word of God (ALLAH), conveyed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by the angel Gabriel.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍۢ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا ٥٩
O believers! Obey ALLAH and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. Should you disagree on anything, then refer it to ALLAHand His Messenger, if you ˹truly˺ believe in ALLAH and the Last Day. This is the best and fairest resolution.
The teachings, deeds, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, however, are all included in the Sunnah. The fundamental doctrinal and legal precepts of Islam are found in the Quran, but the Sunnah provides instances of how these teachings can be applied in real-world situations.
To fully comprehend Islam, its moral and spiritual precepts, as well as its law (Sharia), one must have a solid understanding of the Quran and Sunnah.
The Sunnah supports the Quran, which serves as the major source of Islamic doctrine, by providing a real-world example of its precepts.
The Prophet Muhammad’s sayings (hadith), deeds, and endorsements make up the Sunnah. It acts as a guide for understanding and applying the lessons of the Quran to daily life.

The Quran: As The Divine Revelation
The Quran is regarded as the holy book in Islam, with Muslims believing it to be the exact words of ALLAH. The Quran is comprised of 114 chapters (surahs) and over 6,000 verses (ayahs), which were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of 23 years.
The Arabic-language Quran is considered the last word on revelation, preceding even older texts like the Torah and the Bible.
The entire text of the Quran was assembled soon after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) passed away.
Throughout his life, his companions committed the Quranic revelations to memory and recorded them on a variety of surfaces, including parchment, bones, and palm fronds.
In order to maintain the correctness of the text and avoid any errors resulting from the many languages and recitations, Uthman ibn Affan, the third caliph, ordered the gathering of these written verses into a single book form. The Quran that Muslims read and recite today is this basic text.
The Nature and Importance of the Quran
The Quran is unique in its claim to divine origin. Muslims believe it is the final, unaltered word of God, meant to guide humanity for all times.
It addresses all aspects of life, from personal conduct to social justice, law, and governance, offering a comprehensive moral and ethical code.
The Quran’s importance is highlighted in its self-description as a “clear book” (Kitab Mubeen) meant to provide guidance (Hudan), discernment (Furqan), and a mercy (Rahmah) to those who follow it.
1.2. Structure and Themes of the Quran
The Quran’s structure is not chronological but is instead arranged roughly in descending order of surah length, with longer chapters at the beginning and shorter ones toward the end.
The Quran’s themes are diverse, covering theology, morality, legal injunctions, historical narratives, and guidance for personal conduct. Key themes include:
- Tawhid (Oneness of God): The Quran repeatedly emphasizes monotheism, asserting the singularity of God and rejecting polytheism and idolatry.
- Prophethood: It narrates the stories of various prophets, reinforcing the continuity of the message of Islam with earlier monotheistic traditions.
- Eschatology: The Quran vividly describes the afterlife, detailing the rewards for the righteous and the punishments for the wicked, thus underscoring accountability and the transient nature of worldly life.
- Guidance and Legislation: It provides guidelines for personal and communal conduct, ranging from prayer and fasting to issues of inheritance, marriage, and criminal justice.

1.3. The Inimitability (I’jaz) of the Quran
One of the fundamental beliefs in Islam is that the Quran is inimitable and miraculous (i’jaz). This belief is based on the assertion that the Quran’s linguistic style, profound meanings, and legislative impact are beyond human ability to replicate.
Scholars argue that its unique use of language, unmatched eloquence, and ability to convey deep, multifaceted meanings in a concise form are signs of its divine origin.
2. The Sunnah: The Practical Manifestation of the Quran**
While the Quran provides the primary textual foundation of Islam, the Sunnah complements it by offering a practical demonstration of its teachings.
The Sunnah consists of the sayings (hadith), actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. It serves as a model for interpreting and implementing the Quran’s teachings in everyday life.
Definition and Components of the Sunnah
The Sunnah is broadly categorized into three components:
– Sunnah Qawliyyah: These are the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, documented as hadith. They provide explicit statements on various issues, including beliefs, worship, and ethics.
– Sunnah Filiyyah: These are the actions of the Prophet, which serve as a practical demonstration of the Islamic way of life, such as how to perform prayers (salat) or fast during Ramadan.
– Sunnah Taqririyyah: These are the approvals or silent endorsements by the Prophet of actions done by his companions, indicating tacit approval and setting a precedent for permissibility in Islamic law.
2.2. The Role of Hadith in Preserving the Sunnah
Hadith literature is the primary source through which the Sunnah has been preserved. Each hadith consists of two parts: the isnad (chain of narrators) and the matn (text of the hadith).
The authenticity of a hadith is determined by examining the reliability of the chain of narrators and the consistency of the text with established Islamic principles.
Hadiths are classified into various categories based on their authenticity: Sahih (authentic), Hasan (good), Da’if (weak), and Mawdu‘ (fabricated).
The most reliable collections of hadith are those compiled by scholars like Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, which are considered highly authoritative in Sunni Islam.
2.3. The Sunnah as a Source of Islamic Law
The Sunnah serves as the second primary source of Islamic law after the Quran. It provides explanations, clarifications, and additional details not explicitly mentioned in the Quran.
For instance, while the Quran commands Muslims to pray, the Sunnah details the method and times of prayer. Similarly, the Sunnah provides additional rulings on matters like inheritance, marriage, and criminal justice, which are not fully detailed in the Quran.
3. The Relationship Between the Quran and Sunnah
The Quran and Sunnah are intrinsically linked, with the Sunnah acting as a key to understanding the Quran. They complement and explain each other, creating a holistic framework for Islamic theology and jurisprudence.

3.1. The Sunnah as an Explanation of the Quran
One of the primary roles of the Sunnah is to explain and elaborate on the Quranic text.
Many Quranic verses are brief and general in their directives, necessitating further explanation to be fully understood and implemented.
The Prophet Muhammad, through his actions and sayings, clarified these verses, making the Quran’s teachings accessible and applicable to all aspects of life.
For example, the Quran commands the establishment of prayer but does not detail how it should be performed.
It is the Sunnah that provides the specifics, such as the number of units (rak’ahs) in each prayer, the recitations, and the physical actions involved.
Similarly, the Quran commands fasting but does not detail what breaks the fast or the exemptions from it; the Sunnah provides these necessary details.
3.2. The Sunnah as a Reinforcement of Quranic Principles
The Sunnah often reinforces the principles and laws found in the Quran.
For instance, the Quranic prohibition of intoxicants is echoed and elaborated in the Sunnah, where the Prophet condemns all forms of intoxicants and implements penalties for their consumption.
Similarly, the principles of justice, charity, and kindness enjoined in the Quran are repeatedly emphasized in the Sunnah through the Prophet’s teachings and actions.
3.3. The Sunnah as an Independent Source of Law
While the Sunnah primarily serves to explain the Quran, it also functions as an independent source of law in cases where the Quran is silent.
The Prophet, as the final messenger, was given the authority to legislate on matters of religion and governance.
For example, the prohibition of gold and silk for men, the guidelines on the treatment of prisoners of war, and specific punishments for certain crimes are derived from the Sunnah, even though the Quran does not explicitly mention them.
4. The Interdependence of the Quran and Sunnah in Islamic Jurisprudence**
Islamic jurisprudence, or fiqh, is the science of understanding and applying Islamic law.
The Quran and Sunnah form the bedrock of fiqh, providing the primary sources from which legal rulings are derived.
The interdependence of these two sources is evident in the principles and methodologies employed by Islamic jurists (fuqaha) to interpret and apply Islamic law.
4.1. Usul al-Fiqh: The Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
The science of usul al-fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence) outlines the methodologies for deriving legal rulings from the Quran and Sunnah.
This discipline is fundamental in understanding the interplay between these two sources. Some key principles include:
– Ijma (Consensus): This refers to the agreement of Islamic scholars on a particular issue. Ijma is based on the Quranic principle of consultation and the Sunnah’s emphasis on collective decision-making.
– Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning): This involves drawing analogies between new issues and existing rulings based on the Quran and Sunnah.
For example, the prohibition of harmful substances like drugs is derived through qiyas, based on the Quranic prohibition of intoxicants.
– Istihsan (Juristic Preference): This principle allows jurists to depart from strict analogy to consider the broader objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shariah), such as justice, welfare, and mercy, which are rooted in the Quran and Sunnah.
4.2. The Role of the Quran and Sunnah in Ijtihad
jtihad refers to the process of independent reasoning employed by qualified jurists to derive legal rulings in cases where the Quran and Sunnah are not explicit.
Ijtihad is essential for the dynamic application of Islamic law to new situations and challenges.
It is guided by the principles and values enshrined in the Quran and Sunnah, ensuring that the spirit of these foundational texts is preserved even as new rulings are formulated.
The Preservation and Transmission of the Quran and Sunnah
The preservation and transmission of the Quran and Sunnah have been of paramount importance to Muslims throughout history.
Ensuring the integrity and authenticity of these sources has been a collective effort, involving meticulous scholarship and rigorous verification processes.
5.1. The Compilation of the Quran
The Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years and was initially preserved through memorization and written materials.
After the Prophet’s death, the first caliph, Abu Bakr, commissioned the compilation of the Quran into a single manuscript to safeguard it from any potential loss.
This compilation was carried out by a committee of scribes and memorizers who meticulously cross-checked the written text with oral recitations.
During the caliphate of Uthman, the third caliph, the Quran was standardized into a single, unified text to prevent discrepancies in pronunciation and recitation that had arisen among different Muslim communities.
This standardized text, known as the Uthmanic codex, has remained unchanged to this day, ensuring the Quran’s preservation.
5.2. The Compilation of Hadith
The compilation of hadith followed a different trajectory due to the sheer volume and diversity of the Prophet’s sayings and actions. Initially, hadith were transmitted orally by the Prophet’s companions and their successors.
However, as the Muslim community expanded and the risk of forgery increased, scholars began compiling hadith into written collections.
This process involved rigorous criteria for verifying the authenticity of each hadith, including the reliability of the chain of narrators and the consistency of the text.
Renowned scholars like Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, and others traveled extensively to gather hadith and ensure their authenticity.
Their collections, known as Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and others, remain the most trusted sources of hadith in Sunni Islam.

5.3. The Role of Scholars in Preserving the Quran and Sunnah
Islamic scholars, known as ulama, have played a crucial role in preserving and interpreting the Quran and Sunnah. Their efforts include:
- Exegesis (Tafsir): Scholars have written extensive commentaries on the Quran, explaining its meanings, context, and implications. These commentaries, known as tafsir, help Muslims understand the Quran’s teachings in depth.
- Hadith Criticism (Ilm al-Hadith): Scholars developed a sophisticated science of hadith criticism to evaluate the authenticity of hadith. This involved scrutinizing the chain of narrators, cross-referencing different reports, and examining the consistency of the text with established Islamic principles.
- Legal Theory (Usul al-Fiqh): Scholars have systematized the principles and methodologies for deriving legal rulings from the Quran and Sunnah. This has ensured that Islamic law remains coherent and grounded in its primary sources.
The Relevance of the Quran and Sunnah Today
The Quran and Sunnah continue to be relevant today, providing guidance for Muslims in navigating contemporary challenges and opportunities.
They offer a moral and ethical framework that addresses issues like social justice, environmental stewardship, and interfaith relations.
Conclusion
The Quran and Sunnah are the twin pillars of Islamic guidance, providing a comprehensive framework for faith, practice, and morality.
They complement each other, with the Quran offering the divine word and the Sunnah providing a practical model for its implementation.
Together, they shape Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and ethics, guiding Muslims in their personal and communal lives.
Despite challenges and critiques, the Quran and Sunnah remain relevant today, offering timeless principles that address contemporary issues.
Their teachings on social justice, environmental stewardship, and interfaith relations continue to inspire Muslims and provide a foundation for building a just, compassionate, and harmonious world.
Ultimately, the Quran and Sunnah are more than just texts; they are living sources of guidance that continue to shape the lives and beliefs of over a billion Muslims worldwide.
Their enduring relevance and transformative power are a testament to their divine origin and the timeless wisdom they embody.
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