What Does Sunnah Mean in Arabic?
سُنَّة
sunnah
Root: س ن ن
Sunnah refers to the practices, sayings, and tacit approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. As a source of Islamic law, it is second only to the Quran. In jurisprudence, it also denotes recommended acts — those encouraged by the Prophet but whose omission is not sinful. Following the Sunnah is considered an act of love for Allah.
The root of Sunnah (sunnah) appears 16 times in the Quran, reflecting its foundational importance in Islamic theology and practice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sunnah
What does Sunnah mean in Islam?
Sunnah refers to the practices, sayings, and tacit approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. As a source of Islamic law, it is second only to the Quran. In jurisprudence, it also denotes recommended acts — those encouraged by the Prophet but whose omission is not sinful. Following the Sunnah is considered an act of love for Allah.
How many times is Sunnah mentioned in the Quran?
The root of the word Sunnah appears 16 times in the Quran, underscoring its central importance in Islamic theology and practice.
What is the Arabic root of Sunnah?
The Arabic root letters of Sunnah are س ن ن.
Related Words
الْمَصْلَحَة
Maslaha
Maslaha refers to public interest and welfare in Islamic jurisprudence — the benefit of individuals and society that Islamic law aims to protect. It is central to the Maqasid al-Sharia (objectives of Islamic law): protecting religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property. Many scholars hold that Islamic law is fundamentally designed to realise maslaha and prevent harm.
الْمُنْكَر
Munkar
Munkar refers to evil and wrongdoing — all acts that Islam prohibits and that sound conscience rejects. "Commanding the good and forbidding the munkar" is a communal obligation mentioned repeatedly in the Quran. It encompasses all forms of moral corruption, injustice, and transgression of Allah's limits, from major sins to subtle wrongdoing.
الْمَعْرُوف
Ma'ruf
Ma'ruf refers to the good and the recognised right — all acts, words, and conduct that Islam endorses and that sound human nature approves. It is the opposite of munkar (evil). Appearing 38 times in the Quran in the command to "enjoin the ma'ruf and forbid the munkar", it encompasses all virtuous actions benefiting the individual, family, and community.
الْقَضَاء
Qada
Qada has two meanings in Islamic scholarship. In theology it refers to the execution of Allah's eternal decree when its appointed time arrives — the realisation of qadar. In jurisprudence it refers to making up missed obligatory acts of worship such as missed prayers or Ramadan fasts that must be performed after their time has passed.
الْفِقْه
Fiqh
Fiqh is Islamic jurisprudence — the body of knowledge governing a Muslim's practical obligations in worship, transactions, family law, and ethics. Literally meaning "deep understanding", fiqh derives its rulings from the Quran, Sunnah, scholarly consensus (ijma), and analogical reasoning (qiyas). The four Sunni schools — Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — represent its main methodological traditions.