Hadeeth 2
Also on the authority of Umar ibn
al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
One day while we were sitting with the
Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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 and
blessings of Allah be upon him), with his knees touching against the Prophet’s
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and placing the palms of his hands
on his thighs he said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) 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 zakat, to fast in Ramadhan, 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] then said, “Tell me about iman.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah 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 ihsan.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) 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.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) said, “The one questioned about it knows no better than the
questioner.”
He said, “Then tell me about its
signs.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) 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. Then he [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah 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.
to be continued . . . .
