Sahih Muslim Hadith 93 – Explaining Al-lmân t) ‘r’ –

English

[93] 1 (8) It was narrated that Yahyâ bin Ya'mar said: "The first one who spoke about Al- Qadar in A]-Basrah was Ma'bad Al-JuhanI. Humaid bin 'Abdur- Rahmân Al-Himyari and I went for Haff or 'Umrah 'd we said: 'If we meet any of the S : Companions of the Messenger of 3~ Allah , we will ask them about what these people are saying JU about Al-Qadar. We came across 'Abdullâh bin 'Umar bin Al- attâb, entering the Masjid, so my companion and I came alongside him, one on his right and the other on his left. I thought that my companion would leave me to speak, so I said: '0 Abü 'Abdur-Rahmân! There are people who have appeared in our land that read the Qur'an and seek knowledge" – and he spoke about them – "and they claim that there is no Qadar, and that nothing is predestined.' He said: 'If you meet those people, tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. By the One by Whom 'Abdullâh bin 'Umar swears! If one of them had gold like Utiud, and he spent it (in charity), Allah would not accept it from him unless he believed in Al-Qadar.' Then he said: 'My father, 'Umar bin Al-IShattãb, told me: "While we were with the Messenger of Allah 0, one day, a man came to us whose garment was exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black, and there were no signs of travel on him, and none of us knew who he was. He came and sat before the Prophet 0,, resting his knees against his and placing his hands on his thighs. He said: '0 Muhammad, tell me about Islam.' The Messenger of Allah said: 'Islam means to bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; to establish the Salât, to pay the Zakât, to fast (the month of) Ramalân and to perform pilgrimage to the House (the Ka'bah), if you have the means.' He said: 'You have spoken the truth." He ('Umar) said: "It amazed us, how he questioned him and (at the same time) said that he had spoken the truth. He said: 'Tell me about faith (Al- Imân). He () said: 'It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in Al-Qadar (the divine will and decree), both the good and bad of it.' He said: 'You have spoken the truth.' He said: 'Tell me about Al-Ihsân.' He () said: 'It is to worship Allah as though you can see Him, for although you cannot see Him, He indeed sees you.' He said: 'Tell me about the Hour.' He said: 'The one who is asked about it does not know more than the one who is asking.' He said: 'Then tell me about its signs.' He () said: 'When the slave woman gives birth to her mistress, and when you see the barefoot, naked,destitute shepherds pmpeting in the construction f lofty buildfngs." He ('Umar) said: "Then he went away. I stayed there for a while, then he (the Prophet said to me: '0 'Umar! Do you know who that questioner was?' I said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'That was Jibra'Il, who came to you to teach you your religion."