Meaning of the Relationship
This relationship holds that the “Sunna” is not a single monolithic entity in this framework; rather, Shahrur distinguishes between a messengerly Sunna connected to messengerhood and legislation, and a prophetic Sunna connected to the status of prophethood and to the historical reports and interpretive judgments associated with it.
The Two Terms of the Relationship
- First term: the Sunna
- Relationship: is divided according to status
- Second term: the messengerly Sunna and the prophetic Sunna
Evidence and Claim-Atom Links
- Direct structure: The Sunna is divided into messengerly and prophetic according to status
- Conceptual distinction: The distinction between the messengerly Sunna and the prophetic Sunna
- The two statuses: The status of prophethood and the status of messengerhood
- Limits of application: Prophetic obedience is historical and limited
Its Effect on the Map
This relationship gives the reader a key for reading the pages on the Sunna and hadith: one first asks about the status and function before assigning every practice a permanent legislative ruling. From here, it connects to the pages on the Qur’an, messengerhood, prophethood, and hadith criticism.
Limits of the Evidence
The division is a framework within Shahrur’s reading, not a general rule beyond its source. Nor does this title alone establish the degree of binding force in every particular matter; that requires the evidence for the messengerly and prophetic Sunna, each in its proper place.