["In the fourth example, if not for the hadeeths, some of which have been mentioned, we would have considered lawful what Allah has made unlawful through the dictum of the holy Prophet (sallaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) like predatory animals, and the birds which have claws.

And so is the fifth example, if not for the hadeeths, in regard to this question, we would have considered lawful what Allah has prohibited through the words of His Prophet (sallaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) like gold and silk.

It is for this, some forebearers (As-Salaf) say that 'Sunnah' pronounces judgement of The Book (al-Qur'an).]

Consumption of the predatory animals, and the wearing of gold and silk by referring their interpretation o­nly to The Qur'an.

Today, a sect exists, called "Quranites" who comment according to their whims and fancies; without seeking the explanation of the authentic Sunnah. They o­nly accept and follow the Sunnah which suit their desires, the rest they throw behind. The Prophet salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said that:

"None of you reclines o­n his bed, the order comes to him o­n an affair which I am commanded to do or not to do, he says: 'I do not know, what is found in the Book of Allah, we follow." (Tirmithi). According to another report: "What is found in The Book of Allah as 'Haram' we pronounce it 'haram' (forbidden). Surely, I am given The Qur'an and its example with it.' Yet, according to another report: "What the Messanger of Allah has forbidden, Allah has prohibited it."

It is a matter of regret that o­ne renowned scholar has written a book o­n Islamic Law and its dogma, and in its preface, he says that he has written it and that he has made reference o­nly to the Qur'an.

This true hadith gives positive evidence that the divine law of Islam - As-Shariah - is not mere Qur'an, but Qur'an and Sunnah. Therefore, whoever hold fast to o­ne source for reference to the exclusion of the other, he held fast to none of them, since both complement each other.

The Qur'an says "Whoever obeys the Messanger, obeys Allah". Allah says: "No, by your Lord, they do not believe until they submit to your adjudication in all disputes between them, then they do not find themselves oppressed with your decisions and they completely submit." (4:65) Again, Allah says: "When a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messanger, it does not behove a believer, man or woman, to have choice in their matter. o­ne who disobeys Allah and His Messanger, he is indeed o­n a clearly wrong Path." (33:36) Furthermore, Allah says: "What the Messanger teaches you, take it; and what he forbids you, avoid doing it."(59:7)

In connection with this verse, I am marveled by what is corroborated by Ibn Masud (Allah be pleased with him) that is, a woman came to him and told him: "You who says: May Allah's curse be o­n Al-Namisat [a woman who plucks hers or others eye-brows - to be a thin line - to seek beauty. Such an act is fobidden. It is a means to change the form of Allah's creation] and Al-Motanamisat [a woman who asks others to do it for her] and those who tatoo." He said: "Yes." She said, "I read the Book of Allah (Al-Qur'an) from its beginning to its end, I did not find what you have said." He told her: "If you have read it, you would have found it. As for your reading what the Messanger teaches you, take it, and what he forbids you, avoid doing it." She said: "Certainly". He said: "I have heard the Messanger of Allah (salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) says: "May Allah's curse be o­n Al-Namisat." (Bukhari & Muslim)

Source: The Status of Sunnah in Islam