The Credibility of the Al - Sunnah as a Source of Reference and Guidance for Muslims

The previous religious generations had not witnessed such emergence of confusion towards the authority of the al-Sunnah and the al-Quran as the main sources for the Muslims. Hence, when time had passed, the era changed and the distance between Muslims and the time of the Prophet‟s s.a.w generation of confidants or salaf al-soleh is too far apart, hence, these could be the reasons for the emergence of confusion among the latest generation of Muslims, especially regarding the al-Sunnah as a credible source of reference and guidance. This article will try to explain the confusion and elaborate on the complications that have emerged or purposely made to emerge by adducing arguments and authoritative opinions (dalil) that would prove that the al-Sunnah always compliments the al-Qur‟an and is a ready source of reference and guide to Muslims forever. The actual understanding needs to be portrayed to the Muslims about the meaning and definitions of the al-Sunnah that has become the subject of confusion and attacks, based on proof from the al-Qur‟an, al-Hadith and practices of past generations. The al-Sunnah is clearly a source that has been misunderstood by groups that are unwilling to accept it as a basic source of reference to Islam. This misunderstanding of this matter has its roots in the misunderstanding of the al-Qur‟an itself. The misunderstanding of the clear and apparent fact that the al-Qur‟an itself has relegated the power of explaining and elucidating the contents and syllabus of the al-Qur‟an to the al-Sunnah.