المصابيح Mishkat-ul-Masabih With Arabic Text (Set of 3 Volumes)

The Qur'an and the Sunnah are the two foundations upon which is raised the structure of Islam; the one being the Word of God, and the other being its elucidation in the form of Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him). The Qur'an says:
He it is Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth that He may cause it to prevail over all religions. (9:34)
This verse clearly shows that the only reliable source through which the Will of God has been made known to mankind is Muhammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He is the final recipient of revelation amongst the Prophets of God, and as such he is Divinely authorised to explain its practical implications with the help of his words and deeds. The Qur'an says:
And We have revealed to thee the Reminder that thou mayest make clear to men that which has been revealed to them, and that haply they reflect. (16:44) The exposition of the Qur'anic injunctions is thus one of the main responsibilities of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) which he had to undertake on the authority of the Lord Who had revealed to him the Holy Qur'an. This task of exposition and elucidation has a divine sanction behind it as the Holy Prophet does not speak or act of his own accord. Whatever he says and whatever he does emanates from the Lord Himself.
He does not speak of his own desire. (1038)
I follow only that which is revealed to me from my Lord. (7:203)
This shows that he speaks only when there is an objective necessity for it and he acts because God commands him to do so. In a number of verses of the Holy Qur'an, the Muslims are enjoined upon to accept his guidance as final in all spheres of life, since his guidance is Divinely inspired and as such, is as binding on a Muslim as the guidance found in the Qur'an.
And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, accept; and whatsoever he forbids you, avoid. (59:7)
Right from the time of the Companions down to this day there has been consensus of opinion. amongst the Muslims that whatever is authentically transmitted to us from the Holy Prophet, be it in the form of the Qur'anic revelation or his commands, or his explanations and enunciations of the Will of God, is the only reliable source of Islamic Shari'ah.