Dr. Ali Gomaa, member of the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar, emphasized that relying on and acting upon the Prophetic Sunnah is an established principle, explaining that obedience to the Prophet ﷺ is obedience to Allah Almighty. He also stated that adhering to both the Quran and the Sunnah is the way to protect Muslims from deviation and misguidance.

Ali Gomaa explained that discussing the recording of the Prophetic Sunnah during the Prophet’s era ﷺ reveals numerous pieces of evidence confirming that the Prophet ﷺ allowed some Companions to write down his sayings in different situations.

Although the Sunnah was not compiled in a complete and organized manner during the Prophet’s lifetime as the Quran was, this does not mean that writing Hadith was completely prohibited.

Recording the Prophetic Sunnah During the Prophet’s Era ﷺ

Was the Sunnah Written During the Prophet’s Lifetime?

Ali Gomaa explained that the Prophetic Sunnah was not recorded during the Prophet’s lifetime in a comprehensive collection similar to the Quran. The Prophet ﷺ did not appoint specific scribes for Hadith as he did for the revelation of the Quran.

However, this does not mean that writing Hadith was forbidden, as authentic reports confirm that the Prophet ﷺ permitted some Companions to write what they heard from him for preservation and teaching purposes.

Reconciling the Hadiths About Prohibition and Permission of Writing

Why Was Writing Hadith Initially Discouraged?

Ali Gomaa pointed out that some people may think there is a contradiction between the Prophet’s statement:

“Do not write anything from me other than the Quran, and whoever wrote something other than the Quran should erase it.”

and the authentic reports allowing the writing of Hadith.

Scholars reconciled these narrations in several ways. The most well-known explanation is that the prohibition occurred at the beginning of Islam, when Quranic revelation was still being revealed, out of concern that the words of the Prophet ﷺ might be confused with the Quran or that people might become distracted from memorizing Allah’s Book.

After the Quran became firmly established and clearly distinguished, the Prophet ﷺ permitted the writing of Hadith.

Evidence of the Prophet’s Permission to Write Hadith

The Story of Abu Shah and Writing the Prophet’s Sermon

One of the clear proofs of permission for writing Hadith occurred after the conquest of Makkah. When the Prophet ﷺ delivered a sermon, a man from Yemen named Abu Shah said:

“O Messenger of Allah, write it for me.”

The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“Write it for Abu Shah.”

Scholars explained that this narration clearly indicates the permissibility of writing and preserving the sayings of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Record of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As

Another proof is the narration of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As رضي الله عنهما, who used to write everything he heard from the Prophet ﷺ in order to preserve it.

Some people objected, saying that the Prophet ﷺ was human and spoke in both times of anger and satisfaction. Abdullah mentioned this to the Prophet ﷺ, who gave him permission to continue writing and said:

“Write, for by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, nothing comes out of it except the truth.”

The Companions’ Care in Preserving the Sunnah

The Efforts of the Companions in Transmitting Hadith

Ali Gomaa emphasized that the Companions received this prophetic permission with great care. Many of them began recording, memorizing, and transmitting Hadith to later generations.

Their goal was to preserve the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ as the second source of Islamic law after the Quran and to convey the teachings of Islam accurately.

The Importance of the Prophetic Sunnah in Muslims’ Lives

The Sunnah Explains the Meanings of the Quran

Ali Gomaa explained that abandoning the Sunnah means losing an essential part of understanding the Quran, because the Sunnah clarifies rulings and explains how Islamic teachings are applied in daily life.

For example, the Quran commands prayer and charity, while the Sunnah explains their details and practical methods.

Conclusion: Ali Gomaa’s Message About Recording the Sunnah

Ali Gomaa confirmed that recording the Prophetic Sunnah began with the Prophet’s permission during his lifetime. The initial prohibition was related to a specific period, and later permission was granted after the Quran had been preserved and distinguished.

Through the efforts of the Companions, the Prophetic Hadith was carefully preserved and transmitted across generations until it reached Muslims today.

Was the Prophetic Sunnah written during the Prophet’s era ﷺ?

Yes, some Companions were permitted by the Prophet ﷺ to write Hadith, although it was not compiled as a complete collection like the Quran.

Why was writing Hadith initially prohibited?

The prohibition was at the beginning of Islam to prevent confusion between Hadith and Quranic revelation.

What is the evidence that the Prophet allowed writing Sunnah?

Among the evidence is his statement to Abu Shah: “Write it for Abu Shah,” and his permission to Abdullah ibn Amr to write Hadith.

Is the Prophetic Sunnah a source of Islamic law?

Yes, the Sunnah is the second source of Islamic legislation after the Quran.

How did the Companions preserve the Sunnah?

They preserved it through memorization, writing, and careful transmission to later generations.

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