They are also known as the four righteous caliphs. They follow the words of the Qur'an first, but when additional guidance or clarification is needed they also towards the hadith. The hadith's are short narrative reports of what Muhammad did or did not do while he ruled in Medina. There are two collections of the hadiths called the Sahih, and considered high in authority after the Qu'ran. Over the years there have been four other collections added to the two. The collection is organized according to topics, such as worship, society, politics and economics (Young p241). .

             As the times began to change, there was a need for additional explanation that was not clear in the Qur'an or the hadith. Muslims relied on two other sources to help them stay on the right path. The first source was the consensus of the Muslim community, and the other was to provide an analysis from teachings of the Qur'an or hadith and apply it to new changes. Another key factor for Sunni Muslims in their teaching was to the live the way of the Sharia. The Sharia is originally translated as the "Way " but also known as "law", including social morality, philosophical reflection and religion in terms of law. The Sharia laws guide human life, just as the Allah governs nature. .

             There are four separate Sunni legal schools that view the sources of authority of the Sharia. The first school the Hanifite established in Iraq, prefers the use of analogy to find the right path when the Qur'an is not at first evident. This group uses rational judgment for the best solution even if it conflicts with the obvious reading of the Qur'an. The Malikite School established in Medina, uses the Qur'an and hadith to find the proper path. When necessary, they turn to the consensus, and lastly the use of analogy. The Shafi'ite School gives authority to the Qur'an and hadith, but moves to the hadith in cases of dispute. The school prefers strongly to use the consensus versus reason in determining the Sharia.