Contemporary Approaches to The Quran and the Sunnah

THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH are the two primary sources of Muslim faith, life, law and morality. They are as well the framework of the Islamic worldview and civilization. The Qur’an is believed by all faithful Muslims to be literally the Book of God, and the Sunnah, or life-example of the Prophet Muhammad (ßAAS),* is the key to the understanding and interiorization of the Qur’an.

The Qur’an is for Muslims the foundation of their faith and the Sunnah is the framework of their morality. Together they constitute the two sources of the law (Shari¢ah) of God, which is humanity’s guide to prosperity and happiness in this life and to the bliss of the hereafter. Both the Qur’an and Sunnah were revealed by God. The Qur’an, being the divine communication or revelation (wa^y), was sent down to the Prophet through Gabriel, the angel of revelation. The Sunnah, being divine inspiration (ilh¥m), was taught and instituted by the Prophet Muhammad. God says, “He it is who sent a messenger to the unlettered people from among themselves to recite to them His revelations, purify them and teach them the Book and Wisdom…” (62:2). The Qur’an is the Book (Kit¥b) and the Sunnah is the wisdom (^ikmah) with which Muhammad, the last prophet of God was sent to guide humankind to the straight way (al-|ir¥~ al-mustaqÏm), which leads to God.