just cause; His prohibition of indecencies, whether open or hidden; His prohibition of sin and unjust aggression; and His prohibition of speaking about religion without knowledge. This also includes what affirming Allah’s oneness entails: devoting one’s religion sincerely to Allah, relying upon Him, hoping for His mercy, fearing Him, patiently accepting His judgment, and carrying out His commands; and that Allah and His Messenger be dearer to the servant than his family, his wealth, and all people. These and other fundamentals of faith are mentioned in various passages of the Quran, including the Meccan surahs and some of the Medinan surahs.

(As for the second, it consists of the laws of His religion that Allah revealed in the Medinan surahs, and what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prescribed for his community. For Allah, glorified be He, revealed to him the Book and wisdom, bestowed this favour upon the believers, and commanded the wives of His Prophet to remember it. He said:

“Allah has sent down to you the Book and wisdom and taught you what you did not know.”

And He said:

“Allah certainly bestowed a favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting His verses to them, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom.”

And He said:

“And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom.”

Several of the early generations said: “Wisdom is the Sunnah.” For what was recited in the houses of his wives, may Allah be pleased with them, besides the Quran was his Sunnah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Hence he said:

“Indeed, I have been given the Book and something like it along with it.”

Hassān ibn ‘Atiyya said: “Gabriel, peace be upon him, would descend to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with the Sunnah just as he would descend with the Quran, and would teach it to him just as he taught him the Quran.”