My Religion

Hadith of Gabriel

On the authority of Umar (r) who said: “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of
Allah (s), there came before us a man with extremely white clothing and extremely black
hair. There were no signs of travel on him and none of us knew him. He [came and] sat next
to the Prophet (s). He supported his knees up against the knees of the Prophet (s) and put
his hand on his thighs.
He said, ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.’ The Messenger of Allah (s) said, ‘Islam is to
testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah, to establish the prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast [the month of]
Ramadan, and to make pilgrimage to the House if you have the means to do so.’ He said,
‘You have spoken truthfully [or correctly].’ We were amazed that he asks the question and
then says that he had spoken truthfully.
He said, ‘Tell me about ʾĪmān (faith).’ He [the Messenger of Allah (s)] responded, ‘It is to
believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and to believe in the
divine decree, [both] the good and the evil thereof.’ He said, ‘You have spoken truthfully.’
He said, ‘Tell me about al-Iḥsān (goodness).’ He [the Prophet (s)] answered, ‘It is that you
worship Allah as if you see Him. And even though you do not see Him, [you know] He sees
you.’
He said, ‘Tell me about [the time of] the Hour.’ He [the Prophet (s)] answered, ‘The one
being asked does not know more than the one asking.’ He said, ‘Tell me about its signs.’ He
answered, ‘The slave-girl shall give birth to her master, and you will see the barefooted,
scantily-clothed, destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.’
Then he went away. I stayed for a long time. Then he [the Prophet (s)] said, ‘O Umar, do you
know who the questioner was?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘It was
[the angel] Gabriel who came to teach you your religion.’” [Source:Sahih Muslim]

This beautiful and comprehensive narration [ḥadīth] is so significant that it explains every aspect of the religion, inward and outward. We learn that the Islamic way of life [dīn] is categorised into four: Islam, Faith [ʾĪmān], Excellence [Iḥsān] and Signs of the Last Hour. These four elements are our way of life.

We understand from the Ḥadīth of Gabriel that Islam has five pillars: Testification of Faith, Prayer, Alms Tax/Charity, Fast, and Pilgrimage. The scholars have taught us that this is the study of ‘the science of law’ [Fiqh], where we submit to and worship Allah ﷻ through our limbs and body. For example, in prayer we move our limbs and when we fast, we stay away from food, drink and other elements that we would normally engage in. This is all the worship of the limbs.

The narration [ḥadīth] also mentions that Faith [ʾĪmān] has six pillars which are to believe in: Allah ﷻ, the Angels, the Books, the Prophets, the Day of Judgement, and pre-destination. This is known as the knowledge of Faith [ʾĪmān] or ʿAqīdah.  ʿAqīdah is the worship of the intellect and the heart, and they come to submit to and worship Allah ﷻ as the only supreme God that exists without any partner.

Finally, the narration [ḥadīth] also mentions excellence [iḥsān] known as the knowledge of etiquette [adāb]. This is the submission of the heart and soul. It is about how we behave in front of Allah ﷻ. To have excellence [iḥsān] is to worship Allah ﷻ as though you are seeing Him ﷻ seeing you, meaning having awareness that Allah ﷻ is seeing you even though you can’t see Him ﷻ, and thus behaving accordingly. This quality of excellence is the fruit of living by the rules of Islam together with firm belief of Faith [ʾĪmān] and ʿAqīdah. It comes from the heart and creates softness and ease in the prayer.

This is also known as the Science of Spirituality (purifying your inner self)

The intellect, the mind, the limbs, the body, the heart, and the soul all submit to and worship Allah ﷻ. Therefore, the study of Islam [fiqh], Faith [ʾĪmān] with Islamic Theology [ʿAqīdah], Excellence [Iḥsān] and the Science of Spirituality ,we also have the knowledge od the day of judgement as mentioned in the hadith ,is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman, as only through knowledge of these branches of our religion will we be able to live the Islamic way of life.