2. Confusion about what the Sunnah is, and the authority of the Sunnah.

Most Muslims use the term Sunnah to refer to two things. The first is all the sayings and actions of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). We call this the Sunnah, and most Muslims know that we must follow the Sunnah.

In addition to this, when speaking about fiqh issues such as prayers or fasting, we also use the term Sunnah when we talk about recommended actions. For example, praying two rak'at before Fajr is Sunnah. Many people would say that they pray the Sunnah prayers before Fajr.

This sometimes causes confusion with some Muslims, and they mix up the two meanings of Sunnah. This leads some people to fall into the trap of believing that following the Sunnah is not obligatory, and that it is just recommended. It also leads some people to think that any commands from the Prophet that we find in the Sunnah are simply recommended and not obligatory.

This confusion has opened the door for a new deviant group, which claims that Islam calls for us to follow the Holy Qur'an only and not the Sunnah. This deviant groups ideas are supported by other deviant groups such as the Shia who attack the Sunnah at every chance they get.

Therefore, Muslims must be careful and must make sure that they understand that following any commands of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) that we find in the Sunnah is obligatory. Likewise, it is obligatory on Muslims to refrain from any actions the Prophet prohibited.

Muslims must know that the authority of the Sunnah is like that of the Qur'an, since both are revealed from Allah. No Muslim can claim that Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) made up any part of the Sunnah, or that he made up any commands or prohibitions for himself. It was all revealed to him from Allah (swt).

The evidence about the authority of the Sunnah is very abundant in the Holy Qur'an. Two special articles have been dedicated to discussion the Sunnah, please visit them using the links below:

1. The History of the Sunnah
2. The Authority of the Sunnah