Class – 7

Living According to the Quran & Sunnah
 

Q.1 Why did Allah revealed the Qur’ân?

A. Allah revealed the Qur’ân so that it should be applied to our day to day lives, as Allah says: “[Say (0 Muhammad .., . ) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord [The Qur’än and the Prophet Muhammad’s Sunna],…” (V. 7: 3)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Read the Qur’ân and apply it, do not make your living from it.” (Ahmad)

Q.2 What is the status of applying authentic HadIth in Islam?

A. Applying authentic AhádIth is obligatory, as Allah says: “And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ ) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), …” (V.59:7)  

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ  said: “Hold fast to my Sunna and the Sunnah of my rightly guided successors.” (Ahmad)

Q.3 Is the Qur’an alone sufficient for us without the Hadith?

 A. No, the Qur’ân alone is not sufficient without the HadIth. Allah said (to the Prophet ﷺ “… And We have also sent down unto you (0 Muhammad ﷺ ) the reminder and the advice (the Qur’ân), that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.” (V. 16: 44) 

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Indeed I have been given the Qur’an and along with it that which is like it.” (Abu Dawud and others)

Q.4 Should we give priority to other opinions over the Word of Allah and His Messenger?

A. No, we should not give other opinions priority over the Word of Allah and His Messenger, as Allah says: “0 you who believe! Do not be forward (i.e. hasten not to decide) in the presence of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ , and fear Allah…” (V.49:1)

 The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Do not obey the created if it means disobeying the Creator”. (Ahmad) Ibn ‘Abbas said: “My opinion is you will be ruined, if I say to you,’The Prophet ﷺ  said (so & so) and you reply:’ but Abu Bakr or ‘Umar said (so and so) “(Ahmad)

 Q.5 What should we do if we differ in the religious matters?

A. We should refer to the Qur’ân and authentic Sunna. As Allah says: “… (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ , if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” (V.4:59)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “I am leaving two things with you, you will never go astray if you hold fast to them. And they are: Allah’s Book and the Sunna (traditions, sayings and actions) of His Messenger.” (Málik)

Q.6 How do we demonstrate our love for Allah and His Messenger?

A. We love Allah and His Messenger by obeying and following their commands, Allah says (to the Prophet ﷺ “Say (0 Muhammad p.., . . to mankind):“If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ân and the Sunna), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (V.3:31)   

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “None of you have perfect faith until you love me more than you father, son, and all mankind.” (Bukhári and Muslim)

Q.7 Should we give up deeds and rely only on fate?

A. No, we should not give up deeds, as Allah says: “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, and believes in AlH usna, We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness)”. (V.92:5-7)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Work (do deeds), for everything is easy for which it is created.” (Bukhári and Muslim)

He ﷺ also said: “The strong believer is better and loved more by Allah than the weak believer, though both are good, work hard for that which is beneficial for you and seek Allah’s help, and do not give up. If you are stricken by misfortune do not say: ‘If only I had done differently… ‘, rather say; ‘That is what Allah decreed, He does as He Wills’. ‘If only’ opens the door to Satan’s work.” (Bukhári and Muslim)

We learn from this HadIth that the believer whom Allah loves (most) is the one who has strong belief and works hard for that which is beneficial and seeks help from Allah and he will do what all he can with the help of worldly means. If thereafter he does not achieve the desired effect, he has no regrets, but is satisfied with that which Allah has decreed for him. He says: “… though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (V.22:216)

Q8 What are the challenges of the Contemporary World to follow the Sunnah?

A.

1. Modernity;
2. Peer pressure and corporate culture;
3. Pressure to ‘assimilate’
4. Ethnic culture and tradition; 
5. Invasion by Technology
6. Deviant Islamic Groups; 

Q9 What are the suggestions for one to adhere to Sunnah and live an Islamic life?

A. In order to implement the sunnah in one’s daily life in this day and age, there is no one, clear-cut methodology. Rather, a broad strategy that, when applied in the long-term, leads to surefire results:

1. Gain knowledge of Islam; By learning Qur’an recitation (tajweed), mastering Arabic, studying Quran exegesis (tafsir) and listening to Islamic lectures by the qualified teachers of the ummah, a Muslim can keep himself steadfast upon his practice of Islam, including the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
2. Study Seerah; (life story of Prophet Muhammad) and Hadith (verified prophetic traditions): This can be easily done through leisure reading and listening to lectures. The more you know about the Prophet, the more easily you love and imitate him.
3. Carry out the Religious Obligations; No matter how tough it might be, always follow the obligations of Islam primarily – such as the five daily prayers and fasting in Ramadan. They keep the Muslim grounded in faith, and prove to be stepping-stones for further spirituality.
4. Pious company; Strive to hang out with practicing Muslims and their families. This will automatically keep you tied to faith-based social events and knowledge circles among the righteous Muslims of the ummah.