SUNNAH
Literally, the word "sunnah" means path, attitude, style, method, and temperament. It is used in these meanings 15 times in the Quran.
Islamic theologians speak of three types of sunnah:
Sunnah can be divided into three types: active sunnah (as-sunnah al-filiyyah), verbal sunnah (as-sunnah al-qawliyyah), and tacit sunnah (as-sunnah al-taqririyyah).
The first of these three types involves the Prophet's own actions; the second involves his sayings, or hadiths; and the third involves actions he witnessed but did not forbid.
All three of these are considered within the scope of Sunnah, which is regarded as a religious source.
However, the term "sunnah" has also been used to describe the sayings and actions of the Companions, and even the sayings and actions of later scholars, as well as the customs of cities and regions.
Over time, these second type of 'sunnah' practices became intertwined with, or even replaced, the first. Eventually, the word 'sunnah' evolved into a concept encompassing almost all Arab tradions, but ultimately attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Nowhere in the Quran is the term "the Sunnah of the Prophet" or "the Sunnah of Muhammad" found. If these concepts existed in our religion, wouldn't they be described in the Quran with both their names and qualities? The presentation of these concepts in a way that is not found in the Quran is evidence that these conceptualizations are human creations. To expect additional reward for actions not mentioned in the Quran, or to establish a connection with religion, would be to add to the religion.
The Quran uses the term "Sunnah of Allah" (Sunnatullah) to describe God's manner and approach. Sunnah of Allah refers to the unchanging, sovereign principles and laws that God has established in creation. The verses in which it appears are listed below.
That has been the Way(Sunnah) of Allah already with those who passed away before. And you will not find any change in the Way(Sunnah) of Allah.
There is no blame on the Prophet in that which Allah has made legal for him. That has been Allah's Way(Sunnah) with those who have passed away of (the Prophets of) old. And the Command of Allah is a decree determined.
That was the Way of Allah in the case of those who passed away of old, and you will not find any change in the Way of Allah.
42.And they swore by Allah their most binding oath, that if a warner came to them, they would be more guided than any of the nations (before them), yet when a warner came to them, it increased in them nothing but flight (from the truth),
43.(They took to flight because of their) arrogance in the land and their plotting of evil. But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it. Then, can they expect anything (else), but the Sunnah of the peoples of old? So no change will you find in Allah's Sunnah, and no turning off will you find in Allah's Sunnah.
But never did their faith benefit them once they saw Our punishment. [It is] the established way of Allah(Allah's Sunnah) which has preceded among His servants. And the disbelievers thereupon lost [all].
Those who call themselves "Ahl al-Sunnah" (People of the Sunnah) and try to portray themselves as followers of the Prophet's path, but are in reality following Arab customs, should be reminded that by calling their practices "the Sunnah of the Prophet," they are adhering to sources filled with slander against our Prophet, Arab customs and traditions, and fabrications from the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
Let's not search for the religion in our minds within the Quran. Let's open the Quran, learn what religion is, and cleanse our minds of whatever remains. Let's not struggle to find a specific thing in religion. The Quran is the entirety of religion. If Allah had wanted, Allah could have made those things in our minds into religion as well. Why this struggle to find in religion what Allah hasn't made into religion? Allah is the sole founder of religion, and Allah has explained His religion in the Quran. Instead of seeking a religion based on our customs and obsessions, we should cling to what Allah has revealed to us.
Since the Prophet's actions in religious matters were no different from adhering to and adhering to the Quran, it is important to remember that his words and actions in matters outside of religion—as a father, a state leader, a military commander, etc.—could be shaped by time, place, customs, and traditions. Consequently, every point and every moral norm mentioned in the Quran is also the Sunnah (way of life and conduct) of the Prophet.
If there were other norms and modes of behavior that this community should emulate in the name of religion, the Quran would undoubtedly have included them. While the Quran presents itself as detailed, how could it possibly leave the knowledge of any religious detail to books written by others in later periods of history? The details not mentioned in the Quran are practices that are not part of religion, that we can refrain from doing without any harm, and that will not bring us any reward. What will save us is not the fabricated traditions of turbaned, bearded, and robed figures, resulting from the attempt to pass off Arabism as "religion," but the true Prophetic way(sunnah) depicted in the Quran regarding faith, morality, and virtue.