For someone who has recently embraced Islam, an important question often arises: If the Qur’an is Allah's complete revelation, why must we also follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? The answer lies within the Qur’an itself. Allah did not merely reveal a Book; He also sent a Messenger to teach, explain and demonstrate how its guidance should be lived.
Before we proceed further, it needs to be understood that the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah are not two competing paths, but complementary sources of guidance that lead a believer towards Allah. The source of Divine commands is Al Qur’an conveys Allah's commands, while the Sunnah explains, demonstrates and brings those commands to life through the example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. For new Muslims, the journey begins not with knowing everything, but with learning sincerely, practicing gradually and allowing faith to shape everyday character.
Surah An-Nisā’ 4:59 reminds us that obedience to Allah and His Messenger belongs together. The true beauty of Islam emerges when the Qur’an guides our understanding, the Sunnah guides our actions, and both transform us into better human beings. Let us understand it in more detail:
The Divine Command — Surah An-Nisā’ 4:59
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا أَطِيعُوا ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ
"O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you."
The verse continues:
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ
"If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and His Messenger."
This command establishes two essential sources of religious guidance: the Qur’an, which contains Allah's revelation, and the authentic Sunnah, which preserves the Prophet's teachings and example. The verse also requires obedience to legitimate authorities. However, as Ibn Kathīr explains, such obedience is conditional upon what is right and does not extend to disobeying Allah.
How the Qur’an and Sunnah Work Together
The Qur’an and Sunnah are not competing authorities. They complement one another in understanding and practicing Islam. Consider three everyday examples:
1. Prayer (Ṣalāh): The Qur’an commands Muslims to establish prayer, but the Sunnah explains how the Prophet ﷺ performed it, including its movements and recitations. He instructed:
"Pray as you have seen me praying." — Sahih al-Bukhari 631.
2. Zakāh: The Qur’an repeatedly commands believers to give zakāh. The Prophetic Sunnah provides essential explanations about its calculation, applicable wealth and distribution.
3. Pilgrimage (Ḥajj): The Qur’an establishes the obligation of pilgrimage, while the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated its rituals, saying:
"Learn your rituals from me." — Sahih Muslim 1297.
The Sunnah also illustrates Islamic character through the Prophet's honesty, mercy, patience, justice and treatment of others.
What Do Scholars Say?
Ibn Kathīr, explaining 4:59, states that obeying Allah means following His Book, while obeying the Messenger means following his Sunnah. He further explains that religious disputes should be referred to the Qur’an and authentic Prophetic teachings. Allah reinforces this relationship elsewhere:
مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ
"Whoever obeys the Messenger has truly obeyed Allah." — Surah An-Nisā’ 4:80.
And in Surah Al-Aḥzāb 33:21, Allah describes His Messenger as an excellent example for believers.
A Practical Approach for New Muslims
A new Muslim should begin by reading the Qur’an with a reliable translation, learning its fundamental teachings and gradually becoming familiar with the Prophet's authentic Sunnah.
Begin with the basics of faith, purification, prayer and good character. Learn from trustworthy teachers who distinguish authentic hadith from unreliable reports and explain legitimate scholarly differences without creating unnecessary confusion.
Remember that not every saying circulated as a hadith is authentic. Reliable collections and qualified scholarly guidance are important.
The purpose is not to master every detail immediately, but to develop sound knowledge and put it into practice consistently.
Conclusion: One Faith, Two Complementary Sources of Guidance
The Qur’an teaches us what Allah expects of us; the authentic Sunnah explains, demonstrates and helps us understand how to fulfil those expectations.
For new Muslims, following both means learning Islam not merely as a collection of beliefs and commands, but as a complete way of life exemplified by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
To follow the Qur’an sincerely is also to honour its command to follow the Messenger. Together, they guide the believer towards correct worship, sound understanding and noble character.
Resource references for further reflection
Surah An-Nisā’ 4:59 — Obedience to Allah and His Messenger.
Surah An-Nisā’ 4:80 — Obeying the Messenger is obeying Allah.
Surah Al-Aḥzāb 33:21 — The Prophet as an excellent example.
Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, 4:59.
Sahih al-Bukhari 631 — Learning prayer from the Prophet ﷺ.
Sahih Muslim 1297 — Learning the rituals of pilgrimage.
The Qur’anic interpretation is supported by Ibn Kathīr's commentary on 4:59, and the practical examples are supported by the cited authentic hadith.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
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