Re: Related to an Assignment..
Hadith #2: The Hadith of Jibreel (Alayhi Salam)
On the authority of `Umar (radi Allaahu 'anhu), who said:
One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam), with his knees touching against the Prophet's (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs he said: “O Muhammad, tell me about Islaam.”
The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, to perform prayers, to give zakaah, to fast in Ramadaan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.”
He said: “You have spoken rightly”; and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly.
He (the man) said: “Tell me about Eemaan.”
He (the Prophet, sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “It is to believe in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny (qadr), both the good and the evil of it.”
He said: “You have spoken rightly.”
He (the man) said: “Then tell me about Ihsaan.”
He (the Prophet, sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “It is to worship Allaah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then (knowing that) truly He sees you.”
He said: “Then tell me about the Hour.”
He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.”
He said: “Then tell me about its signs.”
He said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefooted, naked destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.”
Then he (the man) left, and I stayed for a time. Then he (the Prophet, sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “O `Umar, do you know who the questioner was?”
I said: “Allaah and His Messenger know best.”
He said: “It was Jibreel, who came to teach you your religion.”
It was related by Muslim.
Takhreej:
This hadith from Umar ibn al-Khattaab was recorded by Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasaai, ibn Maajah, Ahmad, Abu Dawood, al-Baihaqi, ibn Hibbaan, ibn Khuzaima, al-Bazzaar, Abu Yala, al-Daaraqootni and a number of others.
The scholars of hadith differentiate hadith by their texts as well as by the Companions who narrated the hadith. This particular hadith has also been narrated through acceptable chains from the Companions Abu Huraira, ibn Umar, ibn Masood and al-Haarith al-Ashari. The narration from Abu Huraira has been recorded by al-Bukhari, Muslim, ibn Maajah, ibn Abu Shaiba, ibn Hibbaan and others
General Comments On this Hadith.
This is one of the most comprehensive hadith of the Prophet SAAW. It touches upon almost every deed of Islam. Qaadhi Iyaadh has pointed out that this hadith covers or points to all of the aspects of inward and external acts of worship of Allah. It touches upon the deeds that are related to the external organs as well as that of the heart. Indeed, he stated, “[It covers the religion] to such an extent that all the religious sciences are found in it and branch out from it.” (Al-Qaadhi Iyaadh al-Yahsoobi, Kitaab al-Imaan min Ikmaal al-Muallim (sic) bi-Fawaaid Saheeh Muslim (Riyadh: Daar al-Want, 1417 A.H.), vol. 1, pg. 101)
This hadith is known as the hadith of Jibreel (Gabriel) AS; it is also called Umm al-Sunnah (or “the foundation of the Sunnah”) in the same way that Soorah al-Faatiha is called Umm al-Kitaab (or “the Foundation of the Book”). In the same way that Soorah al-Faatiha encompasses the meaning of the Quran as a whole, this hadith encompasses the meaning of the sunnah as a whole.
According to ibn Hajr, this incident took place close to the Prophet’s death. Some say that is was just before the Farewell Pilgrimage. Hence, it was as if the Prophet SAAW, through the questioning of the angel Jibreel, was summarizing his mission and message. He summarized the essential concepts of imaan, islam and ihsaan. Then, at the end, he stated that the person was the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) who had come to teach them their religion. (Cf., al-Qaari, vol. 1, pg.49)
