How are hadiths connected to the Sunnah of Muhammad?

In Islamic tradition, the Sunnah refers to the normative example of the Prophet Muhammad, encompassing his words, deeds, and approbations. Hadith are the specific reports or eyewitness records that document these actions and sayings.123

The connection between the two is foundational: hadiths serve as the essential written documentation through which the Sunnah is preserved and transmitted. While the Sunnah represents the "well-trodden path" or established custom of the Prophet, hadiths are the individual accounts that provide the evidence for those practices.32

Because the Sunnah is considered a primary source of Sharīʿah (Islamic law) second only to the Qurʾān, the authenticity of hadiths is critical. To ensure that these reports accurately reflect the Sunnah, Muslim scholars developed ʿilm al-ḥadīth, a rigorous science dedicated to verifying the reliability of individual traditions. Ultimately, hadiths allow Muslims to understand and implement the Prophet's practices in areas of law, ritual, and moral guidance.12