AUTHORITY OF THE SUNNAH BY IMĀM JALĀL AL-DĪN AL-SUYŪṬĪ [D. 911H]

Allāh Most High Said, “And whatever the Messenger has given you, take it; and what
he has forbidden you, refrain from it.” [Al-Hashr (59):7]

The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “I have not left out anything of which Allāh, The Most High has Commanded you with except I have apprised you of it. Likewise, I have not left out anything of which Allāh has Prohibited you from it, except I have apprised you of it…” [Al Bayhaqi, 7/76 & others]

Together with the Qur’ān, the Sunnah is the pivotal foundation and primary source of
the Islāmic faith. Following both of them is mandated by Allāh Himself and obligated
upon Muslims to adhere and live accordingly. Muslim theology is established upon
them and remains defective and incomplete should either be forsaken for they both
explain and interpret each other.

During his time, Imām al-Suyūṭī felt a genuine need to pen this compelling book
in confuting those who either rejected the Sunnah altogether or did not grant it
the status and respect it deserves in the religion. He primarily compiled from the
works of Imām Al-Bayhaqī elucidating the position of Imām Shāfi’ī, and firmly laid
out the arguments supporting the Sunnah of the Prophet by outlining its critical
importance, its authority and implication to one’s life.

Salvation therefore lies in embracing the Sunnah fully, for indeed it is the key to
facilitating our worldly lives and thereafter, unlocking the doors of Paradise, as
Shādh ibn Yaḥyā said perfectly, “There is no better way to Paradise than the way of
those who have followed the Sunnah.”

The author, Imām ʿAbdu’l-Raḥmān Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī [d. 911H] was born in 849H, Cairo, Egypt. He was raised as an orphan after the death of his father when he was aged five. He became a prolific Scholar of Ḥadīth and renowned in many sciences, including Tafsīr, Sīrah, History, Fiqh, Medicine and many others. He was distinguished for his modesty, kindness, righteousness and piety. May Allāh shower His Mercy upon him.