Where Muslims look for guidance
Islamic Studies · Key Stage 1 · The School
The Quran
The QURAN is, for Muslims, the word of God. It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is treated with great respect. It is handled carefully. It is recited aloud. Many people memorise it. It is the first place Muslims look when they ask how to live.
The Sunnah
The SUNNAH is the example of the Prophet ﷺ. It is what he said. It is what he did. And it is what he approved of. The people around him remembered it and passed it on. The Quran says to pray. But it does not say exactly how. The Sunnah shows the how.
Used together
Muslims use both together, not one alone. The Quran gives the instruction. The Sunnah shows it being lived. That is why children learn stories about the Prophet ﷺ as well as verses. The story shows what the verse looks like when a person really does it.
The Quran commands salah many times. But it does not say how many rakʿahs Dhuhr has. It does not say what to say in rukūʿ. The Prophet ﷺ showed that, and said "pray as you have seen me pray". So the Quran gives the duty. The Sunnah gives the form. Try the same with zakat. The Quran commands it and names who receives it. The rate and the threshold come from the Sunnah.