The Authority of the Prophetic Sunnah: Foundations, Views, and Implications with an Emphasis on the Prophet’s Consultations (PBUH)

Roshanzamir, Mohammadebrahim; Nouraei, Mohsen

doi:10.22034/hsr.2026.52293.1139

The Authority of the Prophetic Sunnah: Foundations, Views, and Implications with an Emphasis on the Prophet’s Consultations (PBUH)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Quranic Sciences and Hadith, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Quranic Sciences and Hadith, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Mazandaran, Babulsar, Iran.

10.22034/hsr.2026.52293.1139

Abstract

The Prophetic Sunnah, after the Holy Qur’an, is the second authoritative source for deriving Islamic teachings; however, its scope and degree of authority have long been subjects of debate among Islamic scholars. In this regard, three main viewpoints can be identified: "The absolute authority of the Sunnah, the authority of the Sunnah in religious matters but not in non-religious affairs, and the differentiation of authority based on the Prophet’s threefold roles, prophetic mission, judiciary, and governance." Using a descriptive-analytical method and a critical approach, this study seeks to present a rational explanation of the Prophet’s consultations based on the theory of differentiating these roles. The findings indicate that consultation holds different positions in each of these three domains; in the context of the Prophet’s mission, consultation has no place because the mission is sacred in nature; in the judicial role, consultation is clearly relevant, since judicial rulings are issued on the basis of hearing evidence and outward judgments, making consultation functional; but in the domain of governance and leadership, consultation differs from the previous two. Here, consultation represents the application of collective reasoning in non-revelatory matters and in the system of governance. Therefore, it is not merely educational or ceremonial but an effective and decisive element in decision-making. This analysis shows that the Prophet’s consultations are not only compatible with his infallibility and exalted status, but also reflect the rational dimension of the Prophetic practice.

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