A Sunnah

JUNE 29 A Sunnah For the Muslims, the tradition laid down by the Prophet is the perfect example to follow, for it covers every aspect of life, be it a trivial, personal matter, or a larger issue, like jihad, which could affect the whole community, whether at that time or a thousand years later. There are two broad divisions of Sunnah. One of these pertains to the form that a practice should take. For instance, the Prophet said, “Say your prayers in the manner that you see me pray.” (Mishkat Al-Masabih, 1/215) This tradition relates to the form that Salat was to take. The companions observed the Prophet performing Salat and did likewise. Those who saw the companions praying offered their prayers in the same fashion and this example was followed meticulously from generation to generation. The form our prayers take today is identical to that practised by the Prophet. The same is true of the rites of Hajj. On the occasion of Hajjat al-wida (The Last Pilgrimage), the Prophet mounted his camel and performed the rites of Hajj so that others could observe their correct enactment. He said, “O people, observe my performance of Hajj and perform your rites accordingly.” Traditions of this nature refer to the form of an act. The creation of this form ensured that an act would be performed exactly in accordance with the example set by the Prophet. These may be called the traditions of form. There is another set of traditions which concern themselves with the spirit of an act. According to this tradition, the outer manifestation is relative, while the spirit is the reality. And in this, it is the spirit which is the more important. The Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet over a period of 23 years. As and when a portion of the Qur’an was revealed, the Prophet would summon a scribe to whom he would dictate the verses. A katib (scribe) was in constant attendance. In all, there were over 40 such persons. The Prophet was so particular about this that even on such a perilous journey as his emigration from Makkah to Madinah, he kept pen and paper with him and had a scribe (Abu Bakr) accompany him. The entire Qur’an was written on paper and other materials used for the purpose during the lifetime of the Prophet. Many of the companions, such as