Topic Under Discussion Some Questions relating to Sunnah Question Question from India You write: "The Prophet's amputating the hand of those guilty of theft..." are all beyond the scope of Sunnah , as all these actions were, in fact, an implementation of the various directives of the Qur'an." How much part of the hand should be amputated in case of theft? If you don't place the implementation of the directive of the Qur'an as a part of Sunnah then you are making a room for different way of implementing the directive of the Qur'an. Can we amputate the full hand in case of theft in contrast with the Prophet's way? Obviously we can't. So it is in fact Sunnah of the Prophet and it is 'compulsory' upon all Muslim to practice according to the way Prophet practiced Qur'an and not according to the way we think. Also, if you say something to be outside the scope of Sunnah , in other words you are saying it is not 'compulsory' (to follow). But It is 'mandatory' upon all Muslims to follow the 'Excellent example of the Prophet' (according to the Qur'an) even in following the directive of the Qur'an. Thus the implementation of the directive of the Qur'an according to the way Prophet did is compulsory and it entails Sunnah . Please correct me if I am wrong in my understanding. Regards, Ameen Answer The interpretation and the implementation of the Qur'anic directives are clearly not independent of the Qur'an. You write: How much part of the hand should be amputated in case of theft? The clearest and the most unambiguous application of the Arabic word 'Yadd' is on the hands up to the wrists, if any area more (for instance, the whole arm) or less (for instance, a finger) than that was implied by the Qur'anic directive, the Qur'an would then have specified or limited that area through such qualifications as it has made in, for instance, the verse in which the directive for Wudu (ablution) has been given. The Prophet (pbuh) implemented the directive of the Qur'an, according to the clearest and the most unambiguous implication of its directive. Had the Qur'an wanted us to cut of a finger of the thief, it would have used the words, which were more commonly used for 'fingers'; while had it desired us to cut-off the thief's arm from his elbow, it would then have qualified the implication of the word 'Yadd' by adding words like 'from the elbow' and, thereby, would have removed all ambiguity. You write: So it is in fact Sunnah of the Prophet and it is 'compulsory' upon all Muslim to practice according to the way Prophet practiced Qur'an and not according to the way we think. The ascription of all interpretations and applications of the Qur'anic directives to the Prophet (pbuh) would only be accepted as correct, if they correspond to, corroborate and are in accordance with the directives of the Qur'an. The reason for this exercise, obviously, is that even honest and truthful narrators may err in reporting a saying, incident or an action of the Prophet (pbuh). This clearly requires that any interpretations or applications of the Qur'anic verses ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) should not be considered as correct, unless the words of the Qur'anic directive accept such ascribed interpretation and application to be correct. In view of this fact, I do not think that your statement carries any weight. You write: Also, if you say something to be outside the scope of Sunnah , in other words you are saying it is not 'compulsory' (to follow). I do not agree with this point. You write: But It is 'mandatory' upon all Muslims to follow the 'Excellent example of the Prophet' (according to the Qur'an) even in following the directive of the Qur'an. I would not differ much with you on this point. However, before we can satisfactorily ascribe an action to the Prophet (pbuh), as one in which he is reported to have followed the directive of the Qur'an in a particular way, we will first have to determine what the Qur'anic directive actually is. I hope this would clarify my stance. Regards, Moiz Amjad November 3, 2001 Answer published by Moiz Amjad Other Discussion(s) related to the Question Is the Method of Determining Sunnah Inconsistent? 'Prohibitions' Mentioned in Sunnah A Mistake... Some Questions Regarding Sunnah...