Hadith Jibreel

Hadith Jibreel

It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘'Umar bin Khattab (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that: Once, we were in the presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), when suddenly a person appeared before us. His clothes are spotlessly white and his hairs were dark black. Neither did he have indication of being a traveller, nor did anyone among us know him. That person sat in front of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and touched the thighs of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) with his thighs, and he placed his hands on his thighs and said: Islam has 5 articles O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), tell me what is Islam? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Islam is that you testify that nobody can be worshipped except Allah SWT and that Hadhrat Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah and offer Salaat punctually and give Zakat and fast in Ramadhan and perform Haj of the Ka'aba, provided you are capable of reaching there.

That person (upon listening to this) said: You have said the truth. We were all surprised that he himself asks questions and he himself confirms. That person said: Acquaint me with Iman. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Iman is that you believe in Allah SWT and His angels and His books and His Prophets and on the Day of Judgment and have certitude (Yaqeen) that good or bad is through good or bad destiny. That person said: You have said the truth. Then that person said: Tell me, what is Ihsan? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: You worship Allah SWT in such a way as if you are seeing Him. If you are not able to do this then (at least) believe that He is seeing you. Then that person said: Tell me the signs of the Day of Judgment. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The One whom you are asking does not know more than the one who is asking. He again asked: What are the signs of Qiyamah. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: When a maid gives birth to her master and when you see that those who walk barefoot, bare bodied and shepherd sheep build lofty houses and take pride over one another. The narrator that is Hadhrat 'Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) says: That person went away and I waited for a long time. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told me: O 'Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him), do you know who was the questioner? I replied: Allah SWT and His Prophet know best. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: That was Jibrail (peace be upon him). He came to you with the intention of teaching you your Deen (religion).
Imam Muslim has mentioned this Hadith and Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) has related this with some slight change. The slight changing of words is this: When you see that those who walk barefoot, bare bodied, deaf and dumb are the kings of the world. The establishment of the Qiyamah is one of those 5 things which nobody except Allah SWT knows.

Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) recited this verse of Surah Luqman. Surah Luqman, 21. Bukhari and Muslim have recorded this Hadith in their collections without any difference of opinion. Iman and Islam 1. Are words and actions included in Iman? 2. Does Iman wax and wane? 3. Are Islam and Iman 2 different entities? This Hadith and the Hadith after it are about these 3 things: 1. Are words and actions included in Iman? 2. Does Iman wax and wane i.e. (increases and decreases)? 3. Are Islam and Iman 2 different entities? There is difference among the ‘Ulama on these matters. Imam ‘Aini (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) says that this difference of opinion is only about the words (i.e. terminology), as in the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) these words have been used in both meanings.
 
According to one meaning, Iman means only beliefs (‘aqida), in which actions are not included. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Iman is that you believe in Allah SWT and His angels and His books and His Prophets and on the Day of Judgment and have certitude (Yaqeen) that good or bad is through good or bad destiny and Islam is that you worship Allah SWT, the most exalted and do not consier anybody as a partner of Allah SWT and offer Salaat punctually and give Zakat and fast in Ramadhan….(till the end).