Sunnah
摘要
The Sunnah is regarded as the second primary source in Islamic law, comprising the Prophet’s words, deeds, and affirmations. The basis of the Sunnah is rooted in the hadiths, which are meticulously narrated and documented by the companions of the Prophet’s words and deeds. In the predominant sources, the Sunnah is regarded as an integral component of fiqh, alongside the Qur’an. According to Islamic belief, systematic verification methods have been developed to determine the authenticity of hadiths, ensuring the reliable preservation of the Sunnah. However, the process of collecting and evaluating hadiths differs between the Shia and Sunni sects, and this remains a controversial issue. The Shiite sect places particular trust in the hadiths transmitted by the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt, while the Sunni sect considers the hadiths narrated through the Prophet’s Companions and Ahl al-Bayt to be part of the Sunnah. The theoretical underpinning of Islamic economics is predicated on a holistic framework that integrates social, moral, and economic norms. The Sunnah constitutes a pivotal reference point, encompassing the economic counsel and practices endorsed by the Prophet of Islam. The Prophet’s principles of business ethics, truthfulness, honesty, social solidarity, and justice continue to shape the fundamental principles of Islamic economics. The prohibition of interest serves as a salient example of the influence of the Sunnah in Islamic economics. The Qur’an and the Sunnah together form the cornerstones of the Islamic economic order, with the prohibition of ribâ’n-nesi’e (interest on debt) in the Qur’an and ribe’l-fadl (interest on surplus) in the Sunnah. While ribā’l fadl was not a known concept in pre-Islamic Arab society, its prohibition was intended to address concerns regarding unfair economic gains and inequalities. The Sunnah, understood as a comprehensive set of legal principles, serves not only as a framework for Islamic economic practices but also as a catalyst for fostering social solidarity and moral norms. Contemporary Islamic economic thought draws from the practical experiences and moral teachings of the Prophet, aiming to establish principles for the development of a just and sustainable economic system. This dynamic structure underscores the enduring significance of the Sunnah as a foundational reference for addressing economic challenges in the Islamic world.