Writing of the Sunnah

It is narrated from Urwah that:

“Umar decided to write and record the Sunnah of Prophet. He sought advice of companions of Prophet and they said that it was advisable. But Umar continued to draw Istikhara [and prayed to God to show him the right path]. Till once day he gave up his intention and said:

‘I had decided to record in writing, the reports and traditions of Prophet, but when I studied histories of previous nations, I saw that people before had written books and they became engrossed in those books and abandoned the Book of God. By God, I will never mix the Book of God with another thing.’

Some people also followed the practice of the Caliph as opposed to Sunnah of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and prohibited writing and narration of traditions.

[Sonan Darami, 1:125; Mustadrak Hakeem, 1:104-106 [1/186-187, H. 357-359]; Mukhtasar Jaameul Ilm, 36-37 [Pg. 68-72, H. 61-63]