1. Sources of Wisdom and Authority
7 – Importance and Significance of Hadith and Sunnah

2. Importance and Significance of Hadith and Sunnah
The Qur’an as the word of Allah is the most important guide for Muslims. However, should they need further help, Muhammad should be the one they turn to as the next best guide to how to live a good Muslim life.

3. Importance and Significance of Hadith and Sunnah
The hadith and sunnah often help Muslims ‘flesh out’ the instructions given in the Qur’an. For example, the Qur’an tells Muslims to pray 5 times a day, facing towards Mecca, performing wudu (cleansing) first. However, the hadith and sunnah are needed in order to give Muslims further instruction on what to do/say during these prayers.

4. Your Task
Work together (max 4) to think about other reasons why the hadith/sunnah/both are important or significant to Islam/Muslims. Think about implications on Muslim life.

5. Importance and Significance of Hadith and Sunnah
Muhammad perfect example (seal).
Helps Muslims to further understand the message of the Qur’an.
Shari’ah law is made up the Qur’an and hadith, showing the importance.
Qur’anic quotes explaining that Muslims should look to Muhammad as an example, what Allah wants them to do.

6. Importance and Significance of Hadith and Sunnah
“One who disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed clearly on the wrong path” (Surah 33:36) “What the Messenger teaches you, take it; and what he forbids you, avoid it” (Surah 59:47)

7. Importance and Significance of Hadith and Sunnah
Most Muslims accept that the hadith and sunnah should be used in conjunction (alongside) the Qur’an.
The Qur’an takes precedence, but the three together complement each other and give Muslims a more rounded view of Islam and how to live a good Muslim life.

8. Video Clip
Make notes as you watch the video clip.

9. Problems
It is possible that some of the hadith/sunnah have become changed over the years due to the way they were passed on initially.
In some cases, the hadith seems to contradict the teachings of the Qur’an – what should a Muslim do then?
Qur’an = Hell is permanent (Surah 5:18)
Hadith = It is possible to ‘escape’ from Hell

10. Problems The Qur’an has the final say as the unaltered word of Allah.
The Qur’an is often more difficult to understand due to its divine nature and ‘higher’ Arabic.
While the hadith and sunnah are very important, it is essential that Muslims do not use them to supersede the Qur’an (ultimate authority).

11. Progress Check Plenary
What have you learnt this lesson?
Facts – e.g
Ideas/viewpoints
Similarities/differences - diversity
Key words/concepts
Examples of how religion affects the world around us – e.g. culture
What contribution to your learning did you make?
Contributed to class discussion
Worked in a pair/group
Organised my time well
Found out information for myself
Answered thoroughly and thoughtfully
Completed extension task
Monitored my progress
Peer/ self assessed work
How did you learn it?
Research work
Discussion
Questioning
Pairs/ group work - collaborative
Independent learning
Using technology e.g video/ internet
What do you need to do in order to make further progress?
Do further research
Background reading
Develop my writing technique
Contribute more in class
Proof read my work
Give examples to back up my ideas
Make connections between different beliefs and faiths