Here's a breakdown:
* The Prophet Muhammad is the primary source of the Sunna. He lived a life that Muslims consider exemplary, and his words and actions serve as guidance for believers.
* Early Muslims began documenting the Prophet's life and teachings soon after his death. They wrote down his sayings, observed his practices, and passed on their knowledge to future generations.
* Hadith scholars carefully collected, scrutinized, and organized these accounts, developing rigorous methods to ensure their authenticity.
* Six major hadith collections emerged, including those by Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, Nasai, and Ibn Majah. These collections are considered the most reliable and authoritative sources for the Sunna.
Therefore, while the Sunna is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, it is the result of a collective effort of early Muslims and hadith scholars who diligently preserved and transmitted his teachings.