Why was establishing the sunna necessary?

The Sunna, including the sayings, actions and approvals of the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, which comprise one of the two main sources of Islam, was memorized and recorded, and carefully preserved, and has been handed down to us without any distortion or alteration. The Sunna is included in the meaning of the verse,

Surely We have sent down the Dhikr [the collection of Divine warnings and recitations, the Divine guidance] in parts, and surely We are its preserver. (al-Hijr, 15.9)

The establishment of the Sunna was necessary

The Sunna is the way of life of God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings; the unique example set by him for all Muslims to follow. God sent His Messenger to guide people to truth, to lead them in all aspects of life and to show them how to design their life according to God’s Commandments. The Messenger stood at the crossing-point between ignorance and knowledge, truth and falsehood, right and wrong, and between this world and the other, and established through all his words, his own actions and the actions he approved, the Divine way which all Muslims must follow.

The Sunna is the window opened on the Messenger of God, the sacred way leading to the blessings of Islam. Without the Sunna, it is impossible to follow Islam in practical life. Only through the Sunna can a Muslim establish a connection with God’s Messenger and receive his blessings. Anyone who ignores the Sunna makes himself absolutely liable to deviation and cannot remain securely within the fold of Islam. The Sunna is the most unbreakable rope which guarantees the unity of Muslims and elevates those who hold fast to it to Paradise.