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Quran and Hadith are collectively
called the primary sources (usool) of Islamic law. The Holy Quran gives concise
and brief commandments about all important issues. Details of such rulings are
found in the Hadith literature. For example, the Quran asks Believers to stay
away from strong drinks (Khamr) by terming it the "handiwork of
Satan" in 5:90:
"O you who believe! Wine, gambling, idolatrous practices and divining arrows are filth, made up by Satan; therefore, refrain from it.
However, the Quran at no place
prescribes any punishment for those who consume Khamr. The Holy Prophet (ï·º) prescribed a punishment of 40 lashes for this
offense (later Caliph Umar doubled the punishment under his own discretionary
powers). This shows how the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (ï·º) interprets and, indeed, supplements Quranic
teachings. Another example is that the Quran repeatedly commands the Believers
to offer Salah and pay Zakah, e.g.:
"And establish Salah and pay Zakah".
The Quran, however, provides no
details about the format, number of Rak'at, and timings of the daily prayer.
The Holy Prophet (ï·º) interpreted the Quranic
commandment by saying:
"Pray (offer Salah) as you have seen me pray".
The companions thus followed the way of offering the
prayers and a format was determined for all times. Similarly, the details of
Nisab and the mode of payment of Zakat were also explained by him. He dictated
all these details to his companions and a special booklet was compiled, called
the Kitab al-Sadqah. Moreover, the relevant detail of Zakat (e.g. Khums and
Ushr, etc.) are also mentioned in the Sahifa of 'Amr bin Hazm.
