“I find seventeen aspects of the Sunnah of the Prophet in hadith, among which there is no mention of beard or cap.”

 To lead every aspect of an Islamic way of life beautifully, the guidance of Hadith is essential. Scholars have categorized the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) into 17 fundamental areas to help people easily live their lives in accordance with Hadith. When asked by Mawla Ali (RA), the Prophet (PBUH) reportedly mentioned the following seventeen principles. This hadith is narrated by the Prophet and is quoted from The Life of Muhammad by Egypt’s Muhammad Husayn Haykal, where these principles are summarized as the core of all his Sunnahs:

The 17 Principles of Sunnah

1. Ma'rifah (Spiritual Knowledge) = My Capital:
   Ma'rifah means spiritual insight or knowledge. It is another name for Salat (prayer). Everything that enters our being through the seven senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, etc.—if consciously observed, generates knowledge. This knowledge is a person’s true capital. The deeper one goes into the essence of prayer, the greater their capital becomes.
2. Reason = The Strength of My Religion:
   Humans are inherently weak in accepting or rejecting religious doctrines. Without rational discernment, religion becomes dogma and enslaves rather than liberates. When religion is approached with sound reasoning—ideally learned from a wise guide—it becomes a source of immense spiritual power.
3. Love = My Foundation:
   The foundation of creation is love. All actions of the Prophet were rooted in love. Life without love is worse than that of an animal. The Prophet and Allah taught humans to love them, and this love leads to spiritual ascension and closeness to God. Love aimed upward elevates, while love aimed downward nurtures others. A world without love is uninhabitable for humans.
4. Desire = My Vehicle:
   One achieves what they earnestly desire. Life revolves around and evolves through desire. This is repeatedly emphasized in the Qur'an. Therefore, the Prophet teaches us to harness our desires as a vehicle toward ultimate spiritual progress—this is a precious Sunnah.
5. Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) = My Eternal Joy:
   For effective and meaningful spiritual practice, one must remember Allah with joy. Those who remain in constant remembrance experience a deep and enduring happiness and are on the path of salvation.
6. Conviction (Yaqin) = My Treasure:
   Without self-confidence, no success is possible. Yaqin has three stages: Ilm-ul-Yaqin (knowledge of certainty), Ayn-ul-Yaqin (vision of certainty), and Haq-ul-Yaqin (truth of certainty).
7. Knowledge = My Weapon:
   The Prophet may have used a word that implies both “weapon” and “strength.” When one remains conscious of all sensory inputs entering the mind, they gain spiritual power. This process of awareness is a fundamental weapon against falsehood and idolatry, enabling purification.
8. Patience = My Adornment:
   Whether described as clothing or ornament, patience is essential for greatness. It allows one to overcome the impossible and is vital for true religious practice.
9. Contentment = My Jihad-acquired Wealth:
   Being content with little is not easy and requires the help of Jihad al-Akbar (the greater struggle, i.e., inner struggle). Contentment is a restful mental state achieved through spiritual warfare, where the mind transcends attachment to material things. This inner stillness is the treasure of true Jihad and leads to freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
10. Poverty = My Glory:
    Poverty here refers to an inner emptiness, complete detachment from all forms of idolatry (shirk). It is a state of being above materialism, floating above worldly attachments. True glory lies in such poverty of mind, where one lives in the material world but is not attached to it.
11. Asceticism = My Profession:
    The Arabic term is Ruhbaniyyah. Just as people live by their professions, the ascetic mindset is the lifestyle of the spiritually accomplished. Detachment from worldly allure while still living in the world is the Prophet's profession. This spiritual profession is essential for liberation from materialism.
12. Right Decision = My Strength:
    When free from idolatry, decisions made are strong and error-free. This spiritual clarity is the essence of true power and the compass toward liberation.
13. Truthfulness = My Mediator:
    Truth helps navigate the path of freedom. Falsehood resides in idolatry. Those who seek material gain find assistance in tangible things, but these are not truly liberating. Truthfulness exists only in a state free from idolatry and is the true companion on the path of salvation.
14. Obedience = My Logical Process:
    Even though the Prophet had a human body, he claimed no personal logic in worldly matters. His reasoning came solely from obedience to the Supreme Authority. As he said:
    “Though with flesh and blood I have no argument of my own in this humdrum world. All my arguments come from my obedience to the Highest Authority.”
15. Jihad = My Moral Philosophy:
    "Engage in Jihad" is a central teaching of the Prophet. This Jihad is primarily internal, a battle against the self. Socially, it involves resisting injustice under proper leadership. Jihad is always for welfare, never for aggression.
16. Salat (or Meditation) = My Ultimate Joy:
    Through prayer, the seeker attains realization. Hence, Salat is a source of eternal joy. Material happiness is fleeting, while Salat elevates one from impermanence to permanence. Constant remembrance through Salat leads to spiritual purification. One who practices Salat continuously is called a Musalli, and enjoys eternal bliss due to their detachment from idolatry.
17. Lament of Sorrow = My Eternal Companion:
    As the eternal Nur-e-Muhammad (Light of Muhammad), he exists within every soul. Due to people’s engagement in idolatry, this divine presence remains covered and unawakened. This inner pain is expressed as the Prophet’s sorrowful lament. In reality, this sorrow belongs to the soul itself, and the Prophet remains an eternal companion to this sorrow, lamenting on behalf of all humans and jinn.

Conclusion

The entire life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) can be seen through the lens of these 17 principles. These categories serve as comprehensive guidance for every level of Islamic life. This classification of Hadith offers a meaningful reference for students, researchers, and the general Muslim population alike.