Second Hadith: Summary of Faith

Also on the authority of `Umar (radi Allaahu ‘anhu), who said:  One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him.

He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), with his knees touching against the Prophet’s and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs he said: “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.”

The Messenger of Allah  said: “Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform prayers, to give zakaah, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.”

He said: “You have spoken rightly”; and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly.  He (the man) said: “Tell me about Emaan.”

He (the Prophet, peace be upon him) said: “It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny (qadr), both the good and the evil of it.”

He said: “You have spoken rightly.”

He (the man) said: “Then tell me about Ihsaan.”

He (the Prophet) said: “It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then (knowing that) truly He sees you.”

He said: “Then tell me about the Hour.”

He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.”

He said: “Then tell me about its signs.”

He said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefooted, naked destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.”

Then he (the man) left, and I stayed for a time. The he (the Prophet, peace be upon him) said: “O `Umar, do you know who the questioner was?”

I said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.”

He said: “It was Jibreel, who came to teach you your religion.”

It was related by Muslim.

عن عمر رضي الله عنه أيضا ، قال : بينما نحن جلوس عـند رسـول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات يوم اذ طلع علينا رجل شديد بياض الثياب ، شديد سواد الشعر لا يرى عليه أثـر السفر ولا يعـرفه منا احـد. حتى جـلـس إلى النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم فـأسند ركبـتيه إلى ركبتـيه ووضع كفيه على فخذيه، وقـال: ” يا محمد أخبرني عن الإسلام “. فقـال رسـول الله صـلى الله عـليه وسـلـم : (الإسـلام أن تـشـهـد أن لا إلـه إلا الله وأن محـمـد رسـول الله وتـقـيـم الصلاة وتـؤتي الـزكاة وتـصوم رمضان وتـحـج البيت إن اسـتـطـعت اليه سبيلا). قال : صدقت. فعجبنا له ، يسأله ويصدقه ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌؟ قال : فأخبرني عن الإيمان . قال : أن تؤمن بالله وملائكته وكتبه ورسله واليوم الاخر وتؤمن بالقدر خيره وشره . قال : صدقت . قال : فأخبرني عن الإحسان . قال : ان تعبد الله كأنك تراه ، فإن لم تكن تراه فإنه يراك . قال : فأخبرني عن الساعة . قال : “ما المسؤول عنها بأعلم من السائل ” قال : فأخبرني عن أماراتها . قال : ” أن تلد الأم ربتها ، وان ترى الحفاة العراة العالة رعاء الشاء يتطاولون في البنيان” ثم انطلق ، فلبثت مليا ،ثم قال :” يا عمر أتدري من السائل ؟” قلت : “الله ورسوله أعلم “. قال : فإنه جبريل ، اتاكم يعلمكم دينكم “رواه مسلم [ رقم : 8 ]