Dr. Ali Gomaa, a member of Al-Azhar’s Council of Senior Scholars, stated that the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah represents a complete and integrated methodology for building both individuals and societies. He explained that the legacy left by the Prophet consists of the Book of Allah and his noble Sunnah, which serve as the fundamental reference for anyone seeking guidance and success in life.
He cited the Prophet’s saying: “I have left you upon a clear path; its night is like its day, and none deviates from it except one who is doomed,” emphasizing that Islam provides a clear and accessible path that requires proper understanding and practical application of its teachings.
He noted that Allah has preserved the Quran from distortion, while scholars throughout history developed numerous disciplines to safeguard the Sunnah, including Hadith terminology, narration, validation of transmitters, and other sciences that ensured the accurate transmission of the Prophet’s teachings across generations.
Dr. Gomaa raised the important question of how to transform this عظim heritage into practical daily programs that individuals can live by, stressing that the true objective is to implement Islamic teachings in real life in a way that strengthens societal cohesion and reflects prophetic values.
He highlighted a comprehensive Hadith narrated by Muslim from Abu Huraira, which includes key principles such as relieving distress, facilitating matters for others, concealing faults, seeking knowledge, and gathering upon the remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Quran.
According to him, this Hadith lays out a practical framework for building civilization through essential pillars, including the pursuit of knowledge, social solidarity, mutual support, and the holistic development of human beings in intellectual, ethical, and practical dimensions.
He further explained that Islam encourages seeking knowledge in all its forms, as indicated by the general wording “knowledge” in the Hadith, which encompasses both religious and worldly sciences. True knowledge, he said, is based on certainty, evidence, and understanding, and serves as a path toward awareness and progress.
He also referenced the Quranic verse: “Only those of His servants who have knowledge fear Allah,” illustrating the connection between knowledge and spiritual consciousness, where true knowledge nurtures moral integrity and guides behavior toward righteousness.
He concluded by affirming that applying the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah in daily life is the ideal path to building a balanced society rooted in mercy, cooperation, and justice, while achieving progress and stability simultaneously.
