The Difference Between the Sunnah of Custom and the Sunnah of Worship

The Shaykh : This point requires a distinction between it and that, namely our model, (peace and blessings be upon him), in matters of religion, and not in matters of worldly life. Therefore, some ignorant people who do not distinguish between the Sunnah of custom and the Sunnah of worship err most severely. The Sunnah of worship does not accept addition, and here the Messenger, (peace and blessings be upon him), said: The Sunnah of custom accepts addition, and accepts reduction, and accepts everything, because it is a custom. Let me give you one example from the customs of the Messenger, (peace and blessings be upon him): What do you say about braids?

The questioner : Yes, braids.

The Shaykh : Braids, long braids. He entered Mecca as a conqueror, on the day Allah granted him victory over the people of Mecca, and he had four long braids. This is the custom of the Arabs to this day; this custom exists among some of the Bedouin youth. I have seen them with my own eyes in the desert. To this day, this custom exists. You are free in this matter; if you see it suitable for you, do it, and if you see it otherwise, leave it, and you do not contradict the Sunnah of the Messenger in this. Why? Because this is a Sunnah of custom, not a Sunnah of worship. This distinction is part of complete understanding and jurisprudence in the religion, whereas many who are afflicted with pretension to knowledge do not know it, and they are not scholars, but are afflicted with the call to knowledge, not with knowledge.