The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 38
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 38 other hand, the term Sunnat refers to the actions, or in other words, the ‘deeds’ of the Holy Prophet sa , which were transmitted not through verbal narrations, rather, by the unified deeds of the Muslims from generation to generation. On the basis of this concept, this phenomenon continued. For example, the Holy Qur’ān contains an order for the observance of Ṣalāt 1. Irrespective of whether a verbal explanation or instruction was presented by the Holy Prophet sa in this regard or not, he demonstrated, before his companions the details pertinent to this order through his actions. Throughout the course of his life, the Holy Prophet sa repeatedly performed this action, and thus instilled it in his companions. Furthermore, under his own supervision, the Holy Prophet sa made his companions firmly adherent to the correct particulars and practice of Ṣalāt. Consequently, through the companions of the Holy Prophet sa , this deed reached the Tābi‘īn , who learned its correct practice not through a verbal explanation, rather by way of its practical observance. This successive system continued forward from generation to generation and so is the case in other affairs as well. From this it becomes apparent that the true foundation of Islām is laid on the Holy Qur’ān and Sunnat , which have always run in parallel since its inception. Ḥadīth is merely a supplementary component which can be utilised for academic progress or ancillary assistance and, in reality; the true foundation of Islām has not been laid upon it. However, erroneously, various individuals have fallen victim to the incorrect notion that Ḥadīth and Sunnat are one and the same thing. This discussion is irrelevant to the topic at hand. However, it seemed appropriate to rectify the general misconception that exists with relevance to Ḥadīth in order to ensure that unacquainted hearts do not give birth to the ideology that the foundation of Islām is laid upon something which came into existence 150 years after the Holy Prophet sa. Books of Exegesis The second collection of narrations consists of those relevant to exegesis. Since this is primarily related to the commentary of the Holy Qur’ān, and is of academic merit, in this field of study, prudence, equivalent to that of Ḥadīth , has not been exercised. However, the relevant areas of this collection are also beneficial in the compilation and composition of Sīrat and history. In this regard, the most renowned books, which comprise the commentary of the Holy Qur’ān by the inclusion of various transcriptions and traditions, are 1 The prescribed 5 daily prayers (Publishers)