One day while the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting in the company of some people,
(The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with
Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further
asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "To worship Allah
Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory
charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan."
Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot
achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is
looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be
established?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "The answerer has no better
knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its
portents.
1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.
2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing
with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is
one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.
The Prophet (ﷺ) then recited: "Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge
of the Hour--." (31. 34) Then that man (Gabriel) left and the Prophet (ﷺ)
asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him.
Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people
their religion." Abu 'Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all
that as a part of faith.
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
In this significant hadith, the angel Gabriel questions the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about the core tenets of faith, Islam, and ihsan (excellence in worship). This interaction serves to clarify the foundational beliefs and practices in Islam, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's faith.
Modern Application
This hadith encourages individuals to deepen their understanding of faith and practice. It serves as a guide for Muslims to reflect on their beliefs and strive for excellence in their worship and daily conduct.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Faith and Belief and Prophetic Teachings because it outlines essential aspects of belief and practice in Islam as taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."
The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and, when they are [meeting] with him for a matter of common interest, do not depart until they have asked his permission. Indeed, those who ask your permission, [O Muhammad] - those are the ones who believe in Allah and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission for something of their affairs, then give permission to whom you will among them and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray.
Do they [then] wait for anything except that the angels should come to them or your Lord should come or that there come some of the signs of your Lord? The Day that some of the signs of your Lord will come no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before or had earned through its faith some good. Say, "Wait. Indeed, we [also] are waiting."