Understanding Usul Al-Fiqh by Abu Tariq Hilal - Abu Ismael al-Beirawi

Sunnah, linguistically, means a path or a way. As a juristic term “Sunnah” has different meanings to various disciplines of the Islamic culture.

• To the Ulema of Hadith:

Sunnah refers to all that is narrated from the Prophet (saw), his acts, his sayings, whatever he has tacitly approved, and all the reports that describe his physical attributes and character.

• To the Ulema of Fiqh (Jurisprudence):

Sunnah refers to the category of Mandub or Nafilah. In this sense, Sunnah is used synonymously with Mandub. As an example, praying extra prayers or fasting extra days other than in Ramadan is Mandub or Nafilah.

• To the Ulema of Usul al-Fiqh:

Sunnah refers to another source of Shari‟ah along with the Qur‟an. Thus, in the usage of Usul al-Fiqh, one might say that fasting days other than in Ramadan is from Sunnah, denoting that the Sunnah has validated this ruling.

The usage of Sunnah in Usul al-Fiqh should not be confused with the Sunnah in Fiqh. In Fiqh, the term Sunnah is synonymous to Nafilah or Mandub, meaning a recommended act. In Usul al-Fiqh, it is a source for extracting rulings, and it establishes the following types of Hukm Shar‟i:

• Fard: (فشض ) For example, the method of praying the Salah is established from the Sunnah and not the Qur‟an. The Qur‟an issues the command to pray.

• Haram: (قشجَ ) Fasting on the day of Eid is Haram and is established from the Sunnah.

• Mandub / Sunnah: ( ذِٕٚخ/ع ٕس ) Fasting on Monday is Mandub and is established from the Sunnah.

• Makruh: (ِىشٖٚ ) Eating garlic before going to masjid is Makruh and is established from the Sunnah.

• Mubah: (رِح ) At times the Prophet (saw) drank water while sitting or standing.