Hadith 2 – Hadith Jibreel (Islam, Iman, Ihsan)
This hadith is one of the most important in Islam as it defines the core aspects of the religion. It is narrated by Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه):
On the authority of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
“While we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a man appeared with extremely white clothes and jet-black hair. No signs of travel were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close to the Prophet (ﷺ), resting his knees against his, and placed his hands on his thighs.
He said, ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.’
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, ‘Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; to establish prayer, to give zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to perform Hajj if you are able.’
The man said, ‘You have spoken the truth.’
We were amazed that he asked the question and then confirmed the answer himself.
Then he said, ‘Tell me about Iman (faith).’
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in Divine Decree (Qadr), both good and bad.’
The man said, ‘You have spoken the truth. Now tell me about Ihsan (excellence).’
The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, ‘It is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for even though you do not see Him, He surely sees you.’
The man then asked, ‘Tell me about the Hour (Day of Judgment).’
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘The one being questioned knows no more than the one asking.’
The man said, ‘Then tell me about its signs.’
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘The slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and you will see barefoot, naked shepherds competing in constructing tall buildings.’
Then the man left, and I remained there for some time.
The Prophet (ﷺ) then said to me, ‘O Umar, do you know who that was?’
I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’
He said, ‘That was Jibreel. He came to teach you your religion.’”
(Narrated in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 8, and Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 50)
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS HADITH:
- The Three Levels of Religion:
- Islam (outward actions)
- Iman (inner belief)
- Ihsan (spiritual excellence)
- Belief in Qadr (Divine Decree):
- Everything happens by Allah’s will and wisdom.
- The Signs of the Last Day:
- Social and economic changes, such as extravagant wealth and societal upheavals.
- The Role of Jibreel (عليه السلام):
- He came in the form of a man to teach the Sahabah (companions) in an interactive way.
Three Pillars of Faith: Islam, Iman, Ihsan
The beauty of our faith is that it teaches us to live with integrity in every part of our being. Islam starts with the basics: submitting to Allah, establishing prayer, giving charity, fasting, and striving to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. But it doesn’t stop there.
Iman takes us deeper—it’s the core belief in Allah, the angels, the holy books, the messengers, the Day of Judgment, and Divine Decree. These beliefs shape our view of the world, guiding us through all the challenges life throws our way, reminding us that there is a purpose behind everything. It is our faith in Allah that changes the lens of our heart. We develop insight and wisdom. Faith changes the landscape of the. Heart and makes it fertile with the sustenance of faith.
And then there’s Ihsan, the highest level. It calls us to live as if we can see Allah in everything we do, knowing that even if our eyes can’t see Him, He is always watching us. Imagine how much peace we would feel, how much strength we would gain, if we truly lived with this awareness. Ihsan is excellence going above the call of duty to please Allah swt. This is the character-building part. Our prophet SAAW’s character was the Quran. He lived by the guidance through sincere actions.
- Belief in Divine Decree (Qadr)
In moments of hardship, we often feel lost or overwhelmed, questioning why things happen the way they do. But this hadith reminds us that everything, good or bad, is part of Allah’s plan. Nothing happens by chance. His wisdom is infinite, and He knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand it.
When we trust in Qadr, we find comfort knowing that the trials we face are not in vain. They shape us, refine us, and draw us closer to Him. It’s not about avoiding pain, but about trusting that through it, we will emerge stronger, wiser, and more connected to the One who controls everything.
- Signs of the Day of Judgment
The world is changing fast, and sometimes it can feel like things are out of control. But the signs of the Day of Judgment, as told in this hadith, are unfolding before our eyes. People are losing sight of what really matters—excessive wealth, materialism, and competition for status have become the focus. Yet, through all this, we must remind ourselves to stay grounded.
The world may try to pull us away from what truly matters, but we must remain firm in our faith, striving to be people of justice, humility, and kindness. The tallest buildings and the most dazzling wealth will fade, but the love we have for Allah, and the way we live our lives in His service, is what will remain forever. Life is fleeting when compared to eternity.
- The Role of Jibreel (Alayhissalam)
Imagine Jibreel, the greatest of the angels, coming down to teach the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) about the heart of Islam. It shows us the importance of seeking knowledge, understanding the essence of our faith, and asking questions. There is no shame in seeking clarity, for it is through knowledge that we strengthen our connection with Allah. We learn guidance should be received with humility and patience.
Let this be a reminder that even in times of confusion, we are not alone. We have the guidance of the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the example of the Prophet (ﷺ) to guide us back to the truth. Ask, seek, and never stop learning, for knowledge brings us closer to the light.
These lessons are not just words; they are a way of life. May we all live with sincerity in our Islam, depth in our Iman, and excellence in our Ihsan, trusting that Allah’s plan is always better than we can imagine. Let life unfold under the best guidance and we must pray that we reach excellence and the pleasure of Allah SWT.
One Response
This is beautiful as only He knows what the hearts yearn for.