Art. #14: ARE THERE ANY OTHER SACRED SOURCES?  Yes, the Sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet, is the second authority for Muslims.  A Hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet said, did, or approved.  Belief in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.

REBUTTAL:  There are several thousand hadiths, covering a multitude of subjects, including how to tend one’s hair, receive guests, and conduct routines of hygiene.  Since Muhammad, as God’s Messenger was perfection personified, the Sunnah is considered to be God’s mandate.  Unfortunately, many hadiths, along with the Koran, have been used as part of the formation of Islamic jurisprudence, the Shari’a.  Thus, casual comments of Muhammad, such as how a man’s beard should be worn and his criticism of music, were incorporated into Islamic law.  In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, there were severe penalties against playing music of any kind and the men were obligated to carry a full beard.