The Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam)

"The Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) is like the boat of Hazrat Nuh (Alaihis Salam). The one who boarded it got saved but the one who missed it was drowned." [Imam Malik (Rahmatullaahi alayh)]

The salvation of humanity is found in the practice of the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam).  And this should be in all areas of life. Otherwise, there is no salvation. The only solution to all problems is in following the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). The extent that a person distances himself from this point, is the extent that he will be away from success. Seeking success elsewhere is like travelling in the opposite direction of one's destination.

Qazi Sana-ullah (Rahmatullaahi alayh) says:

"No word has value so long as it is not put into practice. And that is not acceptable without sincerity. And only that sincerity is acceptable which is according to the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam)."

A person may perform an act of Ibaadah with full sincerity but the manner in which it is conducted does not conform to the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). Thus, it will be rejected simply because it is against the Tareeqah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam).

For example, performing Nafl Salaah is a very good action which yields a lot of Sawaab but it is not good to perform it in congregation. Thus, one should not perform Salaah such as Awwaabeen or Salat-ut-Tasbeeh in congregation as is the norm in certain places on specific occasions. According to the Fuqaha, it is Makruh to perform Nafl in a congregation of more than 3 or 4 people.

By following the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), a person shows his Muhabbat (love) for Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). And this is very essential for Imaan. And true love for Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) is shown by following his Sunnah. According to a Hadith, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) says:

"The one who loves my Sunnah is the one who loves me ..."

[English version of "Sounnat de Nabi ‎(Sallallaahou A'laihi Wasallam)‎" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.10]