How Practicing Sunnah can Positively Impact our Life

Dear readers, In this transient world, when a person begins to love someone, they start following in the footsteps of their beloved, adopting their habits and actions. Sometimes, they even perform tasks out of love that they may personally dislike. Similarly, every Muslim claims to love the final Prophet (peace be upon him). True love means embracing all of his commands with heart and soul and acting upon them.

In this blog post, we will understand what is a Sunnah, what it means to follow it, and how it benefits in our daily spiritual life.

What is the Sunnah

The meaning of sunnah is a “method” or “way of conduct,” whether good or bad. In the terminology of Hadith scholars, it refers to “whatever has been narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whether it be his sayings, actions, silent approvals, physical characteristics, or moral qualities, whether before or after his Prophethood. It has three types:

• Qawli (Verbal): This includes the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), where he verbally taught or guided something.
• Fi’li (Practical): This refers to the actions performed by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
• Taqriri (Tacit Approval): This includes actions performed in the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him) where he remained silent, implying approval of the action since he did not express any disapproval or objection.

The Benefits and Virtues of Following the Sunnah

To follow any way of life, it is essential to have a complete role model. Throughout history, whoever presented a philosophy first tried to live according to it, which led people to accept their ideas. The Prophets (peace be upon them) were sent to this world for the guidance, success, and prosperity of mankind. Their lives were entirely shaped by divine revelation. We can truly follow the Prophet (peace be upon him) when we adhere to both the Quran and Hadith. Following the life of the Prophet (PBUH) offers a lot of benefits mentioned below:

• Sunnah is an Islamic way of life that brings peace and happiness into one’s life.
• By adhering to it, a believer earns the love of Allah Almighty.
• Any shortcomings in fulfilling obligatory acts (Fara’id) are compensated by practicing the Sunnahs.
• Following the life of the Prophet protects a person from falling into innovations (Bid’ah).
• Observing the blessed life is part of respecting the symbols of Allah (Sha’air Allah).
• A person who follows the footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH) is always beloved by Allah.

Role of Sunnah in Our Life

Apart from these, there are countless other benefits of following the Sunnah. Upon reflection, you’ll notice that while the Quran commands us to perform Salah (prayers), give Zakah (charity), fast, and perform Hajj if we have the means, it doesn’t provide detailed instructions on these acts. For instance:

• How many units (Rak’aat) should we pray in each Salah?
• What supplications should be recited in Ruku’ and Sujood?
• When does Zakah become obligatory?
• What are the rules related to fasting?
• What are the rites of Hajj, like how many nights to spend in Mina, or how long to stay in Arafat?

Who provides us with these details? If you think a scholar or Mufti explains these matters, it’s important to understand that they don’t come up with these rulings on their own. Instead, they turn to the life of the Prophet (PBUH), study it carefully, and then provide guidance.

Therefore, it is essential to understand the importance of the blessed life of the Prophet and implement it in our lives. Just as following the Sunnah is required in acts of worship like Salah, fasting, and Hajj, it is equally important in our morals, business dealings, and interactions with others. In essence, the following it should be integrated into every aspect of our lives—whether individual or collective, inside or outside the mosque, with family or with friends.

Is Following Sunnah Obligatory

Yes! Following the path of the Prophet and Followers is obligatory to become a true believer. Allah Almighty says in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 7:

“And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you from, abstain from it.” [Al-Hashr: 7]

Similarly, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“It is obligatory upon you to follow my Sunnah and of the rightly guided caliphs.” [Abu Dawood: 4507]

This clearly shows that neglecting these Prophet’s actions prevents one from being a true believer. To be a complete believer, one must acknowledge and strive to follow the complete life of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Conclusion

In conclusion, practicing the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in our daily lives can have a positive impact on our physical and spiritual lifestyle. By following His teachings and walking on His footsteps, we not only strengthen our relationship with Allah but also become a role model for Muslim Ummah. The life of the Prophet teaches us important values such as kindness, patience, and forgiveness which can help us navigate through life’s challenges with grace. Let us strive to follow the beautiful example set by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Let us all come together to make a commitment to embrace and practice the beautiful Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) wholeheartedly.