Allah Says (what means): {Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.} [Quran 53: 3-4]
The second of the three parts comprising the role of the Sunnah in relationship to the Quran has to do with explaining, expounding on the message of the Quran and providing examples to clarify it.
Indeed, Allah Says in the Quran that this was one of Prophet's, specific roles:
Allah Says (what means): {…And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought…} [Quran 16: 44]
The two commands stated in this verse indicate that the Prophet is vital to our understanding and practice of the Quran.
The first command contained in the verse is the reciting of the Book to the people in terms of its words and arrangement as it was revealed to him, . The same is confirmed by another verse (which means): {O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord…”} [Quran 5: 67] And reciting, conveying and proclaiming is exactly what he, did in the most perfect and complete fashion.
‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, the Prophet's, wife, is reported to have said, in reference to this verse, “Whoever says that Muhammad concealed something which he, was commanded to communicate, it is a great calumny against Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] She, may Allah be pleased with her, is further reported to have said that if he were to have concealed anything, he, would have concealed Allah's saying (which means): {And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose…} [Quran 33: 37] [Muslim]
The second command indicated in the verse is that of explaining and clarifying the Quran:
It is understood that the Prophet did not explain every single verse of the Quran. On the contrary, As-Suyooti, has outlined only a few hundred narrations, authentic or not, in which the Prophet explicitly explained a verse or verses of the Quran. As-Suyooti, as well as other major scholars, however, are of the opinion that the Prophet explained all of the Quran in that he, left us with all of the knowledge that is necessary for us to properly understand the Quran—i.e., his Sunnah.
In addition, ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, has reported that the Prophet's, character embodied the Quran (Al-Bukhari). Therefore, the Prophet explained the Quran by his words as well as his character and example.
Another narration that proves the same principle is that of ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, when he said: “Amongst the last verses to be revealed were the verses pertaining to interest, and the Prophet passed away before explaining them to us.” [Ahmad] This narration demonstrates that the only reason which kept the Prophet from explaining these verses to the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, was his death. This proves that it was a normal course of action to explain the verses to the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, after they were revealed.
But what were the ways in which the verses of the Quran were explained? This is what we will discuss next, Allah willing.