«السنة لغة: الطريقة»
Linguistically, Sunnah means a way or established path.
Technically, the book names what is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ in the form of a saying, action or tacit approval. The Sunnah therefore includes more than spoken instructions.
«وسنة النبي ﷺ ما ينسب إليه من قول أو فعل أو تقرير»
The Prophet’s Sunnah consists of what is attributed to him as a statement, act, or tacit approval.
The word “attributed” matters: a report’s meaning and the historical establishment of its attribution are separate questions. Transmission evidence is examined later in this lesson.