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WORDS <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
PROPHET r<br />
Sunnah (pl. sunan) literally means way or practice. In Isl\mic<br />
terminology, it refers to any act performed, verbally encouraged or, to a<br />
lesser degree, sanctioned by <strong>the</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> All\h r by being<br />
performed in his presence or knowledge and not meeting with his<br />
disapproval. Of equal if not greater importance are <strong>the</strong> characteristics<br />
that made up <strong>the</strong> personality <strong>of</strong> Mu#ammad r, <strong>the</strong> concerns that<br />
impassioned him and <strong>the</strong> ideals that he strove for.<br />
The significance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sunnah lies in <strong>the</strong> fact that it is <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
beloved <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> One Who is <strong>the</strong> object <strong>of</strong> our worship, our adoration,<br />
our obedience. He commanded His beloved to announce:<br />
“Say: if you do indeed love All\h, follow me; All\h will love you...”<br />
(3:31)<br />
And it is <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> one whose love is a condition for all who claim<br />
faith:<br />
“None <strong>of</strong> you can be a true believer until I am more beloved to him<br />
than his child, his parent and <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> humanity.”<br />
AL-BUKH¬R£, MUSLIM<br />
All\h says that he sent His beloved<br />
“...to recite unto <strong>the</strong>m His verses and purify <strong>the</strong>m, and to teach<br />
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> Book and Wisdom.” (3:164)<br />
The wisdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> All\h has, since <strong>the</strong> dawn <strong>of</strong> his<br />
mission, served to inspire, guide, enlighten and heal millions through<br />
<strong>the</strong> journey <strong>of</strong> life. And how could it not have been <strong>of</strong> him whose<br />
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