Origination of Sunnah from the Prophet

"Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It isnot but a
revelation revealed." [Quran 53:3-4]
It is necessary for complete understanding of the meaning of the
Sunnah to appreciate and understand the way Sunnah originates from the
person of the Prophet . In essence, this took place in three forms or
ways:Through sayings, actions, as well as his physical characters and
per­sonal attributes and his approvals of others' acts and sayings:
Sayings: This includes everything he said. 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab said
that the Messenger of Allaah said: "Indeed,all actions are based on
intentions, and surely, every man shall have onlythat which he
intended. Therefore, whoso­ever immigrated for the sake of Allaah and
His Messenger, then his immigra­tion is for Allaah and His Messenger."
[Muslim]
Actions: All of his actions and deeds. For example, 'Aa'ishah said:
"He used to fast so much that we would say he would never break the
fast, and he used to abstain from fasting for so long that we would
say he will never fast." [Bukhaari]
Approval: This happens when someone does something in front of him, or
in his absence butit gets reported to him then he approves of it
either by being silent andnot commenting on it (Tacit Approval) or by
saying something that would indicate agreement or endorse­ment of it
(Explicit Approval). An example of the tacit approval would be the
incident reported by Sa'eed Ibn Abi Awfa that he went with the
Prophet, sallal­laahu alayhi wa sallam, on seven expeditions, and we
ate locust with him (while he was watching)." [Bukhaari and Abu
Daawood] An example for the explicit approval is reported by Abu
Sa'eed Al-Khudri that two men were trav­eling without water, so at the
time of the Prayer they made dry ablution (Tayam­mum). Then sometime
later, they found water and one of them repeated ablu­tion and Prayer
but the other did not. When they told the Prophet he told the one who
did not repeat: 'what youdid is the Sunnah,' and said to the other: '
you will get a double reward.' [Abu Daawood]
Descriptions: This includes everything related to his character like
Ibn 'Abbaas description of him as being, "The most generous of all
people." [Bukhaari], as well as his physical attributes, as in the
Hadeeth, "He had a face that was morebeautiful than all people's, he
was best in character, and was of an average height: not too long or
short." [Bukhaari]
Comments:
It is recommended that one keep in mind, for general purposes, the
definition used by the scholars of Hadeeth, mentioned before, as well
as remember that rulings derived from the Sunnah may vary in their
implication and weight as do the rulings derived from the Quran such
that some of them are obliga­tionsand prohibitions while othersare
just recommendations (Mustahabb) or dislikes (Makrooh). All, however,
must be revered and applied. Anas narratedthat the Prophet said:
"Whoever avoids fol­lowing my Sunnah does not belong to me."
[Bukhaari] Also, Talhah Ibn Auf stated that once he was praying "
behind Ibn 'Abbaas in a funeral prayer, when he recited Al-Faatihah,
the opening chapter of the Quran, then said: 'I have recited this
chapter for you to know that this is the Sunnah of the Messenger of
Allaah ." ' [Bukhaari] - - ▓███▓ Translator:->
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