Topic Under Discussion Some Questions relating to Sunnah Question Question from India Suppose at some point of time, if Shia Muslims form very large part of Muslim community then your method of determining Sunnah as 'complete consensus of the Muslims' will take entirely different meanings. Shias have different mode of Azan, Prayer and almost everything is different from Sunni Muslims. Then your method of determining Sunnah will no longer hold correct and it should be rather as 'complete consensus of the Sunni" Muslims all over the world'!!? Is not your definition of Sunnah inconsistent? Regard, Ameen Answer There is no difference among the Muslims regarding the recitation of Adan before the prayers, whenever a public call is required to be made for the prayers. The Shiite Muslims as well as the Sunni Muslims recite Adan before the prayer congregation. However, as you have mentioned, there is indeed a difference between the Shiite and the Sunni schools with reference to the words that should be recited in the Adan . The question that needs to be answered in this case is which one of the varying recitations was taught by the Prophet (pbuh) and which one of these recitations was practiced by the companions of the Prophet (pbuh). As for your specific question is concerned, I really feel that is it is based on a far-fetched presumption. Our understanding and definition of Sunnah relates to the methods through which the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) has reached us and would continue to be transmitted to the coming generations, under normal circumstances. Although, even in case of the complete annihilation of a significant part of the Muslim population, most of the constituents of the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) would remain in tact, yet there may be others, which may become difficult to recognize, except through historical records of the past years. If you would look closely at my definition of Sunnah , you shall see that it is not merely the annihilation of the Sunni or the Shiite sects that would affect its corpus, but it would also require that the historical record of the Muslims is also completely washed away. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad November 14, 2001 Answer published by Moiz Amjad Other Discussion(s) related to the Question 'Prohibitions' Mentioned in Sunnah Further Exchange on the Concept of Sunnah A Mistake... Some Questions Regarding Sunnah...