Friday Sermon: The Sunnah and its position In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau

A sermon delivered by Murtadha Gusau highlights the pivotal role of the Sunnah, the traditions and practices of Prophet Muhammad, in Islam. The discourse emphasizes that the Sunnah holds a position equivalent to the Quran as a source of divine guidance.

The sermon recounts an anecdote where Ya’ala Ibn Umayyah sought to witness the Prophet receiving revelation. What he observed was the Prophet responding to a question through his Sunnah after a period of intense contemplation, which the sermon interprets as evidence of the Sunnah also being a revelation from Allah. This understanding positions both the Quran and the Sunnah as the ultimate safeguards against error and hardship for Muslims.

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I have left among you two things after which you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them and act upon them: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah. They will never separate until they meet me at the Prophet’s Basin (al-Hawd).

Referencing a Hadith, the sermon states that the Prophet Muhammad left behind two things, the Book of Allah and his Sunnah, ensuring that followers will never go astray as long as they adhere to them. These two elements are presented as inseparable parts of the divine Reminder (az-Zikr) sent down to the Prophet. Allah's guarantee to preserve this Reminder, as mentioned in the Quran, extends to both the Quran and the Sunnah, ensuring their integrity for future generations.

The sermon further elaborates on how Allah has preserved the Sunnah, tracing its origins back to the definitive verses of the Quran. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Sunnah's divine basis and its indispensable role in Islamic practice and belief.

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Indeed, it is We who sent down the message [the Reminder] and indeed, We will be its guardian.