Imam Nawawi Hadith: Islam, Iman, Ihsan

Narrated by Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA): One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (SAW), there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (SAW).

Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said, “O Muhammad (SAW), tell me about Islam.” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Islam is to witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give the alms, the fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if he is capable of travel.” The man said, “You have spoken rightly,” and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly.

Then he said, “Tell me about faith (Iman).” The Prophet (SAW) said: “Faith is to believe in Allah (SWT), His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in the providence of both good and evil.” The man said, “You have spoken rightly.

Then tell me about excellence (Ihsan).” The Prophet (SAW) said: “Excellence is to worship Allah (SWT) as if you see Him, for verily, He sees you.”

The man said, “Then tell me about the Hour.” The Prophet (SAW) said:  “The one who is asked does not know more than the one asking.”

The man said, “Then tell me about its signs.” The Prophet (SAW) said:  “When the slave girl gives birth to her master, when the naked and barefooted will become chiefs of the people, and when the shepherds of black camels will exult themselves in constructing building.”

Then he left and I stayed for a time. Then the Prophet (SAW) said: “O Umar (RA), do you know who the questioner was?” I said, “Allah and His messenger know best.” He said: “He was Jibril (AS), who came to teach the people their religion.” – Abu Dawud; 4695, Sahih Muslim; 5, Ibn Majah; 63

Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen:

• A person should mix with people and not seclude himself
• It is possible for the Angels to appear to the people in the form of a man
• The permissibility of a person asking a question about something he has knowledge of in order to teach those who do not know
• The religion is not complete without testifying that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allah (SWT) and that Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah (SWT)
• The five pillars are the foundation of Islam
• Iman includes six matters: Belief in Allah (SWT), His Angels, His Books, His Messengers (AS), The Last Day and the Qadr (Divine Decree), the Qadaa (occurrence of that Divine Decree) and the good & the bad
• Belief in Allah (SWT) is the most important part of Iman, which is why it was superseded in the response “It is to believe in Allah (SWT)”
• Worship Allah (SWT) as if you see Him.  If you cannot do this, worship Him knowing that He is seeing you
• No one has knowledge about the Hour, except for Allah (SWT)
• One of the signs is a slave girl giving birth to her female slave master.  This is a figurative expression indicating expedient growth and an abundance of wealth and its dispersing amongst its people. Another interpretation of this describes parents becoming slaves to their children and the act of children respecting and honoring their parents being reversed