SUNNA, THE. Sunna is an Arabic word meaning " way, rule. mode of acting or conduct." The term is used to describe the traditional sayings, actions, etc., of Muhammad. These are rules and patterns for all devout Muslims. This kind of information is also called Hadith. It ranks next in importance to the Qur'an. " The science of Tradition is considered the noblest and most excellent after that of the Qur'an, and its study the next in im portance to that of the Holy Book. Muhammad himself is said to have encouraged his followers to keep and transmit his sayings " (Klein). There is the Sunna of Saying, which consists of oral laws and utterance derived from the Prophet; the Sunna of Action, which consists of his deeds and practice; the Sunna of Approbation or Confirmation, which consists of his silent sanction of acts done by others. In course of time it was thought necessary to have the oral traditions sifted and written down. Khalif 'Unbar II. (99-101 A.H.) ordered this to
be done about one hundred years after Muhammad's death. There are six collections of exceptional authority, called " The Six Books." (1) The traditions of Bukhari b. A.H. 194), which professes to include only genuine traditions. Klein quotes a learned doctor of Islam as saying: " The collection of Bukhari is the most excellent book of Islam after the Book of God." (2) The tions of Muslim (d. 261 A.H.), a disciple of Bukhari. This again was supposed to include only genuine tradi tion. (3) The traditions of Abu Dftud (d. 275 A.H.).
(4) The traditions of Tirmidhi (4. 279 A.H.). (5) The traditions of An Nisft'i (d. 303 A.H.). (6) The traditions of Ibn Maja (d. 273 A.H.). See F. A. Klein.