The Sunnah Is Like A Ship

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUNNAH

In Al-I’tisaam, Imaam Zuhri (Rahmatullah Alayh) narrates that Imaam Maa-lik (Rahmatullah Alayh) said:

“The Sunnah is like a ship. He who embarks on it is saved while be who remains behind (stranded in the ocean) will drown.”

Thus, those who have adopted the process of abandoning the Sunnah will soon find themselves drowning in the raging ocean of kufr, immorality and baatil. Diversion from the Deen and abandonement of the Sunnah is an incremental process. It commences with the abandonment of the Aadaab (etiquettes), progressing to the abandonment of Mustahab acts, then deteriorating to the abandonment of Sunnatul Muakkadah, then Waajib acts and finally it leads to the neglect of Fardh acts.

One’s very Imaan is exposed to the gravest dangers by the abandonment of Sunnat acts. Such abandonment leads to the total disintegration of Taqwa and Imaan. For this reason it is most dangerous for Muslims to view Islamic headgear as an insignificant item. Nothing in the Deen and Sunnah is insignificant. Every act of the Sunnah, be it an Adab or a Mustahab act is of great importance for the acquisition of the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. Every Mustahab act being part of Rasulullah’s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) Uswah Hasanah (beautiful example)plays a vital role in the rising stages of Taqwa.