Sunnah

The Prophet's way in belief, worship and conduct, and the measure against which innovation is judged.

Also written · Sunna · Sunnat · As-Sunnah · Sunnahs · Sunan · Way of the Prophet · Prophetic practice · Sunnah vs bidah

What Sunnah means in Islam

The word means a trodden path. In hadith study it covers what the Prophet peace be upon him said, did, and quietly approved; in fiqh it also names a recommended act; in creed it means the received way of the first generations, which is why the phrase Ahl al-Sunnah exists. Set against bid'ah, sunnah means the shape of the religion as it was handed over, rather than anyone's personal preference.

Evidence · Editorial · Our own summary, drawn from the sources named

Read beside it

Rooms that name it

The toothbrush of the sunnah is a frayed twigA Light · Abu Hurayra · daily practice, Madinah
The Preservation: Book, Sunnah, ChainThe Path · chapter 51
Surah At-TinSurah 95 · The Fig

Words that sit beside it

Bid'ahInnovation in religion: introducing an act of worship that has no basis in what was revealed.البِدْعَة
Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ahThe main body of Muslims who follow the Prophet's way and the practice of his companions.أَهْلُ السُّنَّةِ وَالجَمَاعَة
AqidahThe set of things a Muslim holds to be true, as opposed to the things a Muslim does.العَقِيدَة
ImanFaith: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and the decree.الإِيمَان