The popular use of the term “sunnah” in Islam refers to the practices, actions, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that are considered as a model for Muslims to follow. Sunnah complements the teachings of the Quran, providing practical examples of how to implement Islamic principles in daily life. While the Quran is the central religious text of Islam, the Sunnah offers guidance on various aspects of personal conduct, social behavior, worship, and law, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping Islamic ethics and jurisprudence.

Sunnah means ‘the way,’ or the way of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. The Quran (book) is the ultimate guide to the sunnah (path). And the prophet of Islam, Mohammed (saw) was the best example of a human life in accordance with the stipulated sunnah.

Since the creation of mankind, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has laid out one way for believers in Him. That way is called the sunnah. It’s Allah’s سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ eternally unchanging give and take relationship with man He created. What we do, how to do it and what we get.

It is the same way or path that all the thousands of prophets have come to teach their people to keep to in submission to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.

The prophets taught and messengers brought revelations to teach people the sunnah of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the seal of the prophets was the last messenger to come and remind people of the sunnah of their ancestors and show them by example – the best of examples. Hence people follow the example of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to be on the one sunnah.

The word “sunnah” appears several times in the Qur’an. Four verses (8.38, 15.13, 18.55) use the expression “sunnat al-awwalin”, which is thought to mean “the way or practice of the ancients”. “Sunnat Allah” (the “way of God”) appears eight times in five verses. Additionally, verses 17.77 and 33:62 talk of both the way of other, earlier Muslim messengers (Ibrahim, Musa, etc.), and of “our way”, i.e. God’s way, with verse 17.77 emphasizing that the sunnah of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ never changes.

Quran says as approximately translated:

Their faith did not help them when they faced our might; [this is] the way of Allah (sunnat Allah) which applied in the past to His servants, and there the disbelievers lost.

Qur’an 40:85

There is not to be upon the Prophet any discomfort concerning that which Allāh has imposed upon him. [This is] the established way of Allāh (sunnat Allah) with those who have passed on before. And ever is the command of Allāh a destiny decreed.

Qur’an 33:38

(O Prophet), nothing is said to you but what was already said to the Messengers before you. Surely your Lord is the Lord of forgiveness[53] and the Lord of grievous chastisement

Quran 41:43

[This is] the established way (sunnah) of Allah with those who passed on before; and you will not find in the way (sunnah) of Allah any change

Quran 33:62

[That is Our] established way (sunnah) for those We had sent before you of Our messengers; and you will not find in Our way (sunnah) any alteration.

Quran 17:77

In Islam there are 5 compulsory daily prayers. We however find that this sunnah is consistent with Judaism in which case 5 prayers were also prescribed as can be seen in this timing chart:

The motions and steps of prayer were likewise taught in the one sunnah through the various prophets as can be seen here known by Jews:

https://www.rebjeff.com/blog/we-bow-we-prostrate-we-give-thanks

And in the Bible:

When the sunnah gets lost or corrupted, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ sends a reminder, which was the role prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came to fulfill finally and to all humanity.

Quran 19: 58. Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping. 59. But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil. 

Quran Surah Mariam Vs 58-59

So by being a Muslim you are only belonging to the club and treading the the very same one true path of your righteous ancestors.

We also sent you a messenger from amongst you to recite Our revelations to you and to purify you, and to teach you ‘al-kitab’ (the Book/Scripture) and ‘al-hikmah’ (the wisdom), and to teach you what you knew not.

Quran 2:151

It takes wisdom to properly understand the Quran and to conduct ourselves righteously in life on the sunnah of our righteous ancestors. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the best of examples, taught Muslims the Quran and how to be wise and apply wisdom in life and in reading of the verses, and gave us the best demonstrations so we can follow the established sunnah.

And Allah knows best.