The Stairway Of The Sunnah

The Seventh Point

This category includes following the Noble Prophet (saw) in his customary practices, daily habits, and natural actions that have been transmitted through tawātur. For example, numerous Sunnahs demonstrate the proper etiquette of speaking and explain the principles of eating, drinking, sleeping, and social interaction. Whoever observes this type of Sunnah transforms ordinary habits into acts of worship and receives abundant blessings. Even practising its simplest etiquette reminds one of the Noble Messenger (saw) and brings light into the heart.

Among all aspects of the Sunnah, the most important are those connected with the shaāir —the manifest symbols and distinguishing marks of Islam. These symbols constitute a communal form of worship and belong to the Muslim community as a whole. Just as the entire community benefits when even one person upholds them, so too the community as a whole bears responsibility when they are neglected. Acts belonging to the shaāir are free from riyā and are meant to be performed openly. Although they fall under the category of non-obligatory acts of worship, they are nevertheless more important than obligatory acts of worship whose benefit is limited to the individual.

The Seventh Point

The Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) embodies proper etiquette and refined conduct. There is not a single aspect of it that is devoid of light and propriety. The Noble Messenger (saw) declared:

اَدَّبَنِى رَبِّى فَاَحْسَنَ تَاْدِيبِى

That is, “My Lord has bestowed upon me the finest manners and perfected my conduct.”

Indeed, anyone who studies the life of the Prophet (saw) and is acquainted with his Sunnah will undoubtedly realize that Allah gathered every form of etiquette and refinement in His Beloved (saw). Therefore, whoever abandons the Sunnah of the Prophet abandons proper conduct and falls under the maxim:

بِى اَدَبْ مَحْرُومْ بَاشَدْ اَزْ لُطْفِ رَبْ

“He who lacks proper etiquette is deprived of the grace of his Lord.”

Such a person forfeits the blessings that accompany refined conduct and suffers the loss that comes with discourtesy.

Question: How can there be etiquette before Allām al-Ghuyūb, the Knower of the Unseen, Who sees and knows all things and from Whom nothing can be concealed? States that give rise to shame or embarrassment cannot be hidden from Him. Yet etiquette requires covering one’s private parts and concealing certain conditions arising from human necessity.