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

Allah (swt) says in the Qur‟an: “He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.” (TMQ An-Nisa: 80)

“And no, by thy Lord, they would never believe until they refer to you in the issues and disputes that are between them” (TMQ An-Nisa: 65)

“He does not speak of his own desires and whims; indeed he is inspired by Wahy (revelation).” (TMQ An-Najm: 2 & 3)

“What the Messenger has given you then take it, and what he prohibits then abstain from it.” (TMQ Al-Hashr: 7)

“And we have revealed to you (O Muhammad) the Dhikr, for you to explain it to the people.” (TMQ An-Nahl: 44)

“Say (O Muhammad): If you love Allah then follow me, and Allah will love you.” (TMQ Al-Imran: 31)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

“One of you who while reclining on his chair is quoted a Hadith from me, and he says to the person who quoted the Hadith, „we have the Book of Allah (Qur‟an), so what we find in it from what is Halal we will take it as Halal, and what we find in it that is Haram, we‟ll treat as Haram.‟ (The Prophet (saw) continued...) But whatever the Messenger of Allah has made Haram, it is like that thing which Allah has made Haram.” 5

The narration of Jabir adds:

“Whosoever comes to know a hadīth about me and he rejects it. He has rejected three: Allah, His Messenger and the one who informed him of the hadīth.” Abdul-Aziz reported from Amr bin Amr - the freed slave of Al Mutallib bin Hantab that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

“I have left nothing concerning which Allah has given you an order without giving you that order; nor have I left anything concerning that which He has prohibited without giving you that prohibition.”6

These Ayah and Hadith establish without any doubt that both the Qur‟an and the Sunnah are from Allah (swt) and consequently both are sources for legislation. The Sunnah is a very fundamental element in Islam and knowing the Sunnah is a prerequisite for understanding and applying the Qur‟an.