In the name of Allah (SWT), the Beneficent, the Merciful.

There is much disagreement among Muslims as to the exact sources of Islamic Laws and beliefs. It is difficult to discuss this issue without getting into polemical arena. However, we would like to approach this issues from a very high level where there is not much disagreement.

Without doubt the Holy Qur'an is the most authentic source of Islam as there is no disagreement among Muslims that it is indeed the exact word of Allah (SWT). Muslims revere the Holy Qur'an with utmost respect even to the point that they do not touch the writings of the Qur'an in the state of physical impurity. Not only that the Muslims treat it with respect but they also believe that reciting it is part of worship of Allah (SWT). A cursory reading reading of Holy Qur'an will convince one without doubt that it is the primary source of Islam. There are many verses of the Holy Qur'an urging the Prophet (SAW) and his followers to follow what was revealed to him by Allah (SWT):

Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; there is no god but He; and withdraw from the polytheists (Holy Qur'an 6:106)

Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow guardians besides Him, how little do you mind (Holy Qur'an 7:3)

Say: I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord; these are clear proofs from your Lord and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe (Holy Qur'an 7:203)

And follow what is revealed to you and be patient till Allah (SWT) should give judgment, and He is the best of the judges (Holy Qur'an 10:109)

And follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; surely Allah (SWT) is Aware of what you do (Holy Qur'an 33:2)

After the Holy Qur'an, teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which is only known as Sunnah, is the other source of Islamic laws and beliefs. Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) means either his saying or action or even approval or disapproval. The Holy Qur'an itself has repeatedly commanded the believers to submit to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In fact most of the places in the Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has conjoined obedience of the Prophet (SAW) with Allah (SWT) in sayings like - Obey Allah (SWT) and obey the Messenger:

Obey Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (Holy Qur'an 3:32)

And obey Allah (SWT) and the Messenger, that you may be shown mercy (Holy Qur'an 3:132)

Those who obey Allah (SWT) and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath (Holy Qur'an 4:13)

And whoever obeys Allah (SWT) and the Messenger, these are with those upon whom Allah (SWT) has bestowed favors from among the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the good, and a goodly company are they (Holy Qur'an 4:69)

Obey Allah (SWT) and His Messenger, if ye do believe (Holy Qur'an 8:1)

And there are many other similar verses in the Holy Qur'an urging the believers to obey the Prophet (SAW). This command of Allah (SWT) is unconditional, that is to say that no where in the Qur'an Allah (SWT) has put any condition to obeying the Prophet (SAW). There can be no question about this. Allah (SWT) has even mentioned that we not only have to submit to the Prophet but also not feel any rancor in our hearts about it:

But no! by your Lord! they do not believe (in reality) until they make you a judge of that which has become a matter of disagreement among them, and then do not find any rancor in their hearts as to what you have decided and submit with entire submission (Holy Qur'an 4:65)

Hence, as far as obedience is concerned, there is no difference in obeying Allah (SWT) and obeying the Prophet (SAW). In other words, if it is proven beyond any doubt that a report is indeed from the Prophet (SAW), Muslims must submit to it.

One point must be made clear that not everything in the Holy Qur'an is obligatory and similarly not every teaching of the Prophet (SAW) is obligatory. Muslims scholars have categorized these as follows with respect to both the Qur'an and Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet):

• Obligatory - must be obeyed. Not doing it constitutes sin. Ex: Five time daily prayer.
• Prohibited -  must not be done. Doing it constitutes sin. Ex: Drinking alcohol.
• Recommended - good to do, but no sin if not done. Ex: Late night (Tahajjut) prayer.
• Disliked - good not do, but no sin if done. Ex: Eating onions/garlic before going to mosque.
• Allowed - Allowed to do. Ex: Eating rice.

In the books of Islamic jurisprudence others sources are mentioned as valid like consensus (of either companions of the Prophet or scholars depending on the school of thought), analogy or reason. However, they can be viewed as secondary sources as nothing else can supersede the Qur'an or authentic Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

We pray to Allah (SWT) that He may give us the ability to know His path and follow it, insha'Allah.