THE MEANING OF THE “SUNNAH” IN THE DISCOURSES OF THE SALAF

The word “sunnah” in the discourse of the salaf (the righteous first generations), is used to mean the “sunnah” (i.e. tradition or way of the Prophet) in acts of worship, and in beliefs, though many of those who wrote about the sunnah mean by that discussions of belief. An example is the statement of Ibn Masood, Ubayy ibn Ka’ab, and Aby Ad-dardaa’ (May Allah be pleased with them) who said:

“Modest efforts in something which is sunnah is preferable to exertion in something which is bid’a.” (innovation)

And Allah is the All-Knowing.

All praise is to Allah alone. Peace and salutations of Allah be upon Muhammad, and upon the people of Muhammad, and his companions.

This is the end of the words of Shaikh Ibn Taimia.

It was copied from an ancient original by the impoverished for the clemency of his Lord, Mawhoob ibn Ahmad ibn Hilal As-Saalihiy Al-Hanbaliy, may Allah forgive his sins by His grace and generosity. He completed this copying at the end of the year 840 after the Hijrah in the Islamic school known as “Al-Madrasah Al-Jauzia” in Damascus.

All praise is to Allah, He is sufficient, and the best of guardians.