The authority of the Prophet is only limited to doctrinal affairs and the matters of worship, as the worldly affairs are concerned; they are not governed by the prophetic authority.

The holy Quran is the main source for the majority of Islamic believes and rulings. Quran does not explain in detail some important subjects mentioned in the Quran. Daily prayer is not explained in the Quran in details. Compulsory giving (zakat) is not explained in the Quran in details and fasting Ramadan is not explained in detail in the Quran as well. Therefor, scholars of Islam define Sunnah (Hadith) as the second source of Islam. Hadith explains in detail all these main subjects mentioned under general meaning in Quran. Hadith is defined as reports of the prophet Muhammad’s words and deeds. (1)
Both main sources of Islam give doctrinal authority to the Prophet. 
‘Nor doth he speaks of (his own) desire. It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired’. (2)
‘Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): if you love Allah, follow me… Say: Obey Allah and the messenger’ (3)
‘O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger…’ (4)
‘Pray as you have seen me praying …’ (5)

Prophet`s authority is founded on the Quran and the Hadith. There are some exaggerations regarding Prophet`s authority, and some scholars give prophetic authority to every action he did. Though, the Prophet`s authority is legitimated by the Quran and the Hadith still, not all his actions are part of the Sharia.


Life of the Prophet prior his prophecy is not authorized by Allah in context that it is unavoidable part of the Shariah. Prior his prophecy Muhammad was ordinary citizen with highest human morality. He was honoured as al-Ameen- the trustworthy. Bevor his 40th he behaved as an ordinary man. Ha was trader in his 20s and 30s. As a child he was shepherd. None of these occupations are part of the Sharia. These occupations are not considered as a part of Sunnah. 

Muhammad became prophet at 40. The next 23 years he behaved as prophet to all humankind. But even during this period, the period of prophecy, he didn’t behave always as prophet. Some of his actions, decisions, manners were part of his own human nature. He has had his own taste for food, his own taste for clothing and perfumes. Muhammad has had his own style of walking and speaking. But none of these Prophet`s natural behavings is considered as a part of the Sunnah or the Sharia. 

One of actions Mohammad made as a man without prophetic authority, during the period of revelation, is to visit Ta’if (6). First years of spreading word of Islam in Mecca was not very much successful. Meccans mainly refused Mohammad’s prophecy but small numbers of first and to Mohammad closest Muslims. The Prophet decided to visit Ta’if hoping to find better understanding and better acceptance there. When he came to Ta’if and gave his speech his message was rejected. He was not only rejected but, he had to face ‘street’. Leaders of Ta’if ordered their children to throw stones on Mohammad and his companion. He was exposed to humiliation and was even injured to bleed. He had to leave Ta’if without any success. 
Compared to what the Prophet expected in Ta’if, the decision to visit Ta’if was wrong. This `wrong` decision he has made was not `navigated` by revelation but was based on his own strategic knowledge. It was based on his own expectation. It turned out to be strategically wrong. 

The second example of Prophet`s behaving as a man was during the battle on Badr. When Muslim Army came to mountains of Badr (7), Muhammad chose specific location for Muslim soldiers. He was asked by Hubab bin Manzar if his (Prophet’s) decision to wait on this specific location was authorized by prophecy or his own decision. When the Prophet explained that it was only his decision, Hubab bin Manzar advised him for better location. So, Mohammad allocated Muslim army for better location following bin Munzar’s recommendation. This example confirms again that Prophet behaved as an ordinary man even during some important events, such this one on Badr. 

The Prophet liked to eat some specific kind of food and some other not that much. None of them, liked or disliked, were not authorized by prophecy and therefore are not part of the Sharia. 

Prophetic medicine is one of commonly mistaken parts of his life. Some scholars consider the whole prophetic medicine part of the revelation. Well known practice of Hijama (wet cupping) was known to Arabs before Muhammad’s prophecy and the Prophet used it in a way all Arabs used it at the time of prophecy and before. Muahmmad has had practiced medicine and alternative medicine known to Arabs at the time. 

And at the end the Prophet died as an ordinary people do. He died from illness and in pain. The Quran confirms this nature:
“Verily, you are to die, and they are to die.” (8)


These examples, and many other are important to fully and correctly understand teachings of Islam. These examples can help Muslims to realize that Prophet Muhmmad brought his own experience to spread word of Islam. Prophet used to bring his own thoughts and opinions into understanding of daily life. He used his own knowledge and experience to easy daily life for himself, for his family and for his companions. 
This important subject can help Muslim scholars to easy some interpretations of Prophet`s life. It can help Muslims to bring own opinions and experience into interpretation of the Sharia. All these not doctrinal parts of Prophet`s life give opportunity and freedom to interpret the Sharia more widely and more adjustable for our own time and circumstances.   






1.	The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Islamic World. R. Marston Speight
2.	Quran An-Najm 3,4. M. Pickthall. 
3.	Quran Al-E-Imran 31. M. Pickthall. 
4.	Quran An-Nisa 59. M. Pickthall
5.	Sahih al-Bukhari 631
6.	Muhammad: his life based on the earliest sources. Martin Lings. Islamic Texts Society. London 1991.
7.	Muhammad: his life based on the earliest sources. Martin Lings. Islamic Texts Society. London 1991.
8.	Quran Az-Zumar 30. Mufti Taqi Usman.