The Stairway Of The Sunnah

The Ninth Point

And O compassionate Messenger and merciful Prophet! If, through their foolishness, they fail to recognize your immense compassion, turn their backs on you, and refuse to heed your call, do not be distressed. Dhāt-i Dhu’l-Jalāl, under Whose command stand the hosts of the heavens and the earth and Whose dominion extends throughout the universe, is sufficient for you. He will gather sincere and obedient communities around you, cause them to heed your call, and lead them to accept your guidance.

Indeed, there is not a single matter within the Sharīah of Muhammed (saw) or within his Sunnah that does not contain countless instances of wisdom. Despite all my shortcomings and limitations, I affirm this claim and stand ready to prove it. Moreover, the seventy or eighty treatises of the Risale-i Nur written thus far stand as seventy or eighty truthful witnesses testifying to the profound wisdom and truth embodied in the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) and in Islam. Even if I possessed the ability to record all of these wisdoms, not seventy but seven thousand treatises would still be insufficient to encompass them all.

Furthermore, through personal observation, direct experience, and perhaps a thousand trials, I have come to realize that the principles of the Sunnah, together with the teachings of Islam, constitute highly effective remedies for spiritual illnesses as well as for ailments affecting the intellect, the heart, and society. I have personally experienced—and to some extent demonstrated in my treatises—that the healing they provide cannot be matched by philosophical systems or human theories. Whoever harbours doubts concerning this claim should consult the Risale-i Nur and judge for themselves.

Indeed, from all this one may understand how beneficial it is, both in this world and in the Hereafter, to adhere as closely as possible to the Sunnah of such a noble Messenger (saw).

The Ninth Point

To observe every aspect of the Sunnah in its entirety through one’s actions is a distinction granted only to the most select among the awliyā. Even if a person is unable to practise every aspect of it, everyone can strive towards it through sincere intention, conscious resolve, acceptance, and appreciation.

One category of the Sunnah consists of obligations that must, in any case, be observed. Another category comprises non-obligatory Sunnah acts related to worship. Neglecting these is not sinful, but it does result in the loss of immense blessings. Altering them, however, constitutes a serious error.

A further category consists of the Sunnah related to conduct and etiquette, known as ādāb. When these are observed, ordinary habits are transformed into acts of worship. If they are neglected, there is no punishment, but one’s share in the light, refinement, and spiritual benefit derived from the way of life of Habībullāh (saw) is diminished.

Indeed, introducing new rulings or practices into acts of worship is considered bidah. Since bidah contradicts the meaning expressed by the verse

اَلْيَوْمَ اَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ

it is to be rejected.