Question
What is the meaning of the following terms according to the Hanafi scholars: obligatory (fard), required (wajib), and sunnah?
Answer
I say, and with God's success:
1. The obligatory act: It must be preferred over abandonment with a definitive evidence against abandonment, and its ruling: it is necessary in knowledge and action, and one who denies it is considered a disbeliever.
2. The required act: It must be preferred over abandonment with a presumptive evidence against abandonment, and its ruling: it is necessary to believe in it, but it is required to act upon it according to the obligation of following the presumption, and one who denies it is not considered a disbeliever.
3. The Sunnah: It must be preferred over abandonment without any prohibition against abandonment, and it is of two types:
A- The Sunnah of guidance: If the act is a prescribed way in religion, or if the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consistently practiced it while occasionally abandoning it as an act of worship. Its ruling: abandoning it leads to wrongdoing and dislike.
B- The Sunnah of extras: What the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consistently practiced while occasionally abandoning it as a customary act, which relates to the natural actions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), such as his Sunnah regarding his clothing. Its ruling: abandoning it does not lead to wrongdoing.