Where Muslims look for guidance
Islamic Studies · Key Stage 1 · The School
The Quran
The QURAN is, for Muslims, the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is treated with great respect: handled carefully, recited aloud, and memorised by many people. It is the first place Muslims look when asking how to live.
The Sunnah
The SUNNAH is the example of the Prophet ﷺ — what he said, what he did, and what he approved of. It was remembered by the people around him and passed on. When the Quran says to pray but not exactly how, it is the Sunnah that shows the how.
Used together
Muslims use both together rather than one alone. The Quran gives the instruction and the Sunnah shows it being lived. That is why children learn stories about the Prophet ﷺ as well as verses — the story shows what the verse looks like when a person actually does it.
The Quran commands salah many times — but it does not say how many rakʿahs Dhuhr has, or what to say in rukūʿ. The Prophet ﷺ showed that, and said "pray as you have seen me pray". So the Quran gives the obligation and the Sunnah gives the form. Try the same with zakat: the Quran commands it and names who receives it; the rate and the threshold come from the Sunnah.