How to Pronounce sunnah

Meaning and Context

In Islam, the Sunnah (سُنَّة), meaning "trodden path" or "established custom," refers to the comprehensive record of the Prophet Muhammad's teachings, actions, silent approvals (taqrir), and his personal characteristics and habits. It is the second primary source of Islamic theology and law (Sharia) after the Quran, providing the indispensable practical elaboration and lived application of the Holy Book's principles. For Sunni Muslims, who constitute the majority of the global Muslim community, adherence to the Sunnah is a fundamental aspect of faith and piety, as it offers a detailed model for personal conduct, worship (ibadah), social ethics, and legal rulings (fiqh). The science of Hadith—the rigorous collection, verification, and classification of narrated reports (ahadith) about the Prophet—was developed to preserve the authenticity of the Sunnah. Key collections like Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are held in the highest esteem, and following this prophetic tradition is considered essential for achieving correct belief (aqidah) and righteous practice. The Sunnah thus functions as the ultimate guide for Muslim life, shaping daily routines from ritual prayer and charity to business dealings and family life, ensuring the continuity of Islamic practice as demonstrated by the final Messenger.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard transliteration from Arabic is Sunnah, with a double 'n' and an 'h' at the end. The most common alternative spelling is Sunna, which drops the final 'h'; this spelling is frequently encountered in older academic texts and some European languages. A frequent typo or misspelling is Suna or Sunah, which omits a consonant. It is also sometimes incorrectly capitalized in its entirety as SUNNAH. In non-specialist writing, it is occasionally confused with the term "Sunni," which is the adjective and noun for the largest Islamic denomination that follows the Sunnah; one might erroneously see "Sunni traditions" written as "Sunnah traditions." The Arabic plural, Sunan, is used in titles of classical works (e.g., Sunan Abu Dawood) but is rarely used in general English discourse, where "Sunnah" serves as both singular and plural.

Example Sentences

Muslim scholars meticulously studied the chain of narrators to verify the authenticity of every hadith before incorporating it into the body of the Sunnah.

For many believers, studying the Sunnah provides not just legal guidance but a profound connection to the Prophet's exemplary character and mercy.

In Islamic jurisprudence, a ruling derived directly from a clear text in the Quran or a well-established Sunnah is considered the most authoritative.

While the Quran commands prayer, it is the Sunnah that details the precise movements, recitations, and timings of the five daily Salah.

Critics of certain modern practices often argue that they represent a departure from the authentic Sunnah and the way of the early Muslim community.

His gentle approach to conflict resolution was deeply rooted in the prophetic Sunnah, emphasizing patience and forgiveness.

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