’Umar the son of al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said

Hadith Jibril

’Umar the son of al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

As we were sitting one day before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), a man suddenly appeared. He wore pure white clothes and his hair was dark black—yet there were no signs of travel on him, and none of us knew him.

He came and sat down in front of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), placing his knees against his, and his hands on his thighs. He said, “O Muhammad! Tell me about Islam.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “Islam is to testify that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and to establish the prayer; pay zakah; fast Ramadan; and to perform Hajj to the House if you are able.”

The man said, “You have spoken the truth,” and we were surprised that he asked and then confirmed the answer.

Then, he asked, “Tell me about belief (iman).”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “It is to believe in Allah; His Angels; His Books; His Messengers; the Last Day; and in destiny—the good and bad thereof.”

The man said, “You have spoken the truth. Now, tell me about spiritual excellence (ihsan).”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “It is to worship Allah as if you see Him; and if you cannot see Him, (know that) He surely sees you.”

“Now, tell me about the Last Hour,” asked the man.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “The one asked knows no more of it than the one asking.”

“Then tell me about its signs,” said the man.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “That slave women give birth to her mistress; and that you see barefoot, unclothed, needy shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings.”

Then the visitor left, and I waited a long time. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked me, “Do you know, Umar, who the questioner was?”

I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”He said (Allah bless him and give him peace), “It was Jibril. He came to you to teach you your religion.”

[Sahih Muslim]

Questions

1. 
   Tell me about Islam.
   

Islam is to:

1. 
   Testify that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (Shahadah)
   
2. 
   To establish the prayer (Salah)
   
3. 
   Give zakah (alms)
   
4. 
   Fast during Ramadan
   
5. 
   Perform Hajj to the House if you are able
   

2. 
   Tell me about Iman (belief).
   

Iman is to believe in:

1. 
   Allah
   
2. 
   His Angels
   
3. 
   His Books
   
4. 
   His Messengers
   
5. 
   The Last Day
   
6. 
   Al-Qadr (Divine decree)—the good and bad thereof
   

3. 
   Tell me about Ihsan (spiritual excellence).
   

Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him; and if you cannot see Him, (know that) He surely sees you.

4. 
   When is the Last Hour?
   

The one asked knows no more of it than the one asking—no one knows except Allah.

5. 
   What are two of the signs of the Last Hour?
   

1. 
   The slave woman will give birth to her master—children will treat their parents badly.
   
2. 
   People will compete in making tall buildings.