This extremely famous hadeeth is commonly referred to as the "hadeeth of Jibreel". It is rich with meaning. It discusses the relationship between Islam and faith. It enumerates the five pillars of Islam and the six articles of faith, which together make up the fundamentals of our religious belief. Then it goes on to present to us some of the signs of the Hour.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) defines Islaam with outward statements and actions and defines faith with inner beliefs. This indicates that all of the outward actions that we as Muslims are obliged to perform come under the name of Islam.
This would include our ablutions, our lesser pilgrimages to Makkah, and all other acts of devotion. The five pillars of faith are mentioned by way of example, since they are the foundation of a Muslim's obligations. This edition is a synopsis of the basis of the Muslim's belief and worship.
Umar b.Al-Khattab [RA], relates: While we were sitting with Allah’s Messenger (SAW) a man approached us. He had exceedingly white clothes and exceedingly black hair. No sign of travel could be seen upon him, yet none of us knew him. He sat before the Prophet (SAW) placing his knees before his knees and his hands on his thighs and said: “O Muhammad! Tell me about Islam.” Allah’s Messenger (SAW) replied:” Islam is to bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah to establish prayer, to pay charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to make the journey.”
He said ”You have spoken the truth” We were startled that he would ask and then confirm it like that. Then he said: “Tell me about faith.” Allah’s Messenger (SAW) replied: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, the last day, and divine decree, both the good and bad of it.”
He said: “You have spoken the truth. Tell me about excellence in faith.” He replied: “It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and though you do not see Him, you know that He sees you.”
He said: “You have spoken the truth. Tell me about the hour.” Allah’s Messenger (SAW) replied:” The one being asked knows no more than the one who is asking.” He said:” Then tell me about its signs.” He said: “He replied: “Its signs are that a slave will give birth to her master and that the barefoot, destitute herdsmen shall compete with one another in erecting lofty buildings.”
Then that man departed and the Prophet (SAW) waited for a while. Then he asked me: “O ‘Umar, do you know who that questioner was? I replied: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “That was jibreel who came to you to teach you your religion.”[Sahih Muslim]
The importance of this hadeeth
This extremely famous hadeeth is commonly referred to as the "hadeeth of Jibreel". It is rich with meaning. It discusses the relationship between Islam and faith. It enumerates the five pillars of Islam and the six articles of faith, which together make up the fundamentals of our religious belief. Then It goes on to present to us some of the signs of the Hour.
The relationship between Islam and faith
In this hadeeth, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) defines Islaam with outward statements and actions and defines faith with inner beliefs. This indicates that all of the outward actions that we as Muslims are obliged to perform come under the name of Islam. This would include our ablutions, our lesser pilgrimages to Makkah, and all other acts of devotion. The five pillars of faith are mentioned by way of example, since they are the foundation of a Muslim's obligations.
There are many other hadeeth that emphasize the point that all of our outward devotions are part of Islam. For example, once a man asked the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam):
'What aspect of Islam is the best?" To this the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: "To feed those in need and to greet with peace people you know as well as people you do not know." (Muslim)
As for faith, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) describes it here with inner beliefs. However, we know that our outward statements and actions are also part of our belief. Allaah says:
"The believers are only those who when Allah's name is mentioned their hearts are filled with awe, and when His signs are rehearsed to them, their faith increases and upon their Lord they rely. Who establish prayer and spend of what We provide for them. These are the believers truly. They have levels of honour with their Lord and forgiveness and a goodly provision." (Q8[al-Anfaal]:2-4)
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to the delegation of 'Abd al-Qays:
"I command you with four things. The first is faith in Allah alone. Do you know what faith in Allah is? It is to testify that there is no God but Allah. to establish prayer to pay charity to fast the month of Ramadan and to pay a fifth of war spoils." (Muslim)
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) also said:
"Faith has over seventy branches. The best of these is to say 'There is no God but Allah' and the least of these is to remove an obstacle from the road. And shyness is a branch of faith." (Bukhari)
Heart, Tongue & Limbs
These are but a few of the hadeeth that clearly demonstrate that outward statements and actions are part of faith. This is why we define faith as: "Acceptance in the heart, profession with the tongue, and action with the limbs". However, in the hadeeth of Jibreel, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) distinguishes between Islam and faith by describing Islam with outward actions and faith with inner beliefs.
The reason for this is that some words encompass a wider spectrum of meanings when mentioned on their own than they do when they are mentioned in conjunction with certain other words. If we were to mention either the word "Islam" or the word "faith" on its own, it would encompass both our inward beliefs and our outward actions.
However, when we mention them together, each word takes on a narrower, more distinctive meaning. This is why we have some hadeeth wherein the Prophet defines Islam with inner beliefs. Since each word taken on its own encompasses the other, and since outward deeds are part of both Islam and faith, it follows that everyone who is truly a Muslim must also have belief in his heart and everyone who truly believes is most definitely a Muslim.
Once a man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and asked: "What is Islam?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) answered him:
"To submit your heart to Allah and for the people to be safe from your tongue and your hand."
The man then asked: "And which Islam is best?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:
"Faith."
The man then asked: "So what is faith?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:
"To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, and resurrection after death."
Then the man asked: "Which deeds are best?" .The Prophet replied:
"Emigration."
The man asked: 'What is emigration." The Prophet replied:
"To part with evil.
The man asked: "So which emigration is best?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:
"Striving in Allah's cause." (Ahmad)
The five pillars of Islam
"O Muhammad! Tell me about Islam." Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:
"Islam is to bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to pay Zakah, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to make the journey." He said: "You have spoken the truth." (Muslim)
In this hadeeth, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) is asked to define Islam. He does so by mentioning five outward actions. The first of these is a verbal action. It is to utter the testimony of faith. Prayer and fasting are physical activities performed with the body. Zakaah or charity is a financial activity. Pilgrimage is a combination of all these things.
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) mentions only these five acts of worship when defining Islam, though there are many others that he could have mentioned as well. The reason that he mentions only these is that they are the primary duties upon which Islam is built.
These acts of devotion are known as the "pillars of Islam". The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Islam is built upon five things: the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the establishment of prayer, the payment of Zakah, the pilgrimage to the House, and the fast during the month of Ramadan." (Bukhari)
In this hadeeth, Islam is likened to a building or an edifice having five pillars. These pillars are the supports needed for the building to be able to stand. If these supports are missing, the building will come crashing down. As for other aspects of Islam, their absence will be a deficiency in the overall edifice, but the edifice will still stand.
Islam Is Built Upon Tawheed
This hadeeth implies that acceptance of these pillars is necessary for a person's Islam to be intact. If a person denies the validity or obligatory nature of anyone of them, he ceases to be a Muslim. This is quite easy to understand with respect to the first pillar,which is the verbal profession of faith. Indeed, some narrations of this hadeeth have other wordings indicative of faith itself. One version starts off:
"Islam is built upon five things: belief in Allah and His Messenger ... " (Bukhari)
Another reads:
"Islam is built upon five things: to assert monotheism [tawheed] ... " (Muslim)
A person becomes a Muslim when he truly believes in his heart that there is no God but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. Once he accepts this belief, the first duty that he must fulfill is to testify to what he believes before other Muslims.This is the first act of worship that he has to carry out.
Once he declares his faith, he is recognized as a Muslim by the Muslim community and is entitled to all the rights that one Muslim has over another and is likewise bound by all the duties that one Muslim must fulfil towards another. It is as simple as that. There is no initiation into the fold of lslam.
No God Except Allaah
The meaning of the testimony of faith can be explained by analyzing the statements it contains. It begins with our declaration: "There is no God" This is a negation of polytheism. It is a denial of anything in existence being worthy of our worship. Then we continue with "except Allah," This is an affirmation of monotheism: that Allaah alone is the one who is worthy of worship, then we say: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah", this is the second part of the testimony of faith.
It is an affirmation of the prophethood of Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) as the final Prophet and Messenger of Allaah. This requires by implication our acceptance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. By believing and then professing the testimony of faith, a Muslim rejects all false objects of worship and asserts that Allaah is the only one to be worshipped.
Prayer Separates ...
As for the importance of prayer, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Prayer is what separates a man from unbelief and polytheism." (Muslim) It is required for every Muslim to perform five obligatory prayers a day. A Muslim turns toward Makkah when performing these prayers, facing the first house ever built for the worship of Allaah, the Ka' bah, erected by Abraham and his son Ismael (alayhimus salaam). Allaah says:
"And remember Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House and said: "Our Lord, accept this from us, verily You are the All-Hearing, All-Knowing." (Q2[al-Baqarah]: 127)
We must remember that in Islam we do not have any sacred relics or symbols. We are simply worshipping Allaah while facing the Ka bah; we are not worshipping the Ka' bah. Facing the Ka’bah in prayer unites us in our worship of Allaah. By facing the Ka' bah, it is as though we are all worshiping together in the same place. We perform these prayers throughout the day and night, and they are constant reminder of a Muslim's duty to Allaah. Prayer keeps us away from sin. Allaah says:
"Establish prayer, for verily prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds." (Q29 [al- 'Ankabuut]: 45)
Prayer is also a chance to turn to Allaah in worship, to give thanks, to ask for forgiveness, and to ask for His Guidance and Mercy.
Zakaah & Fasting
Allaah mentions prayer and charity together in the Qur'an:
"Establish prayer and pay Zakaah" (Q2[al-Baqarah]: 43)
He says:
"And they were but commanded to worship Allah sincerely and exclusively with purity of faith; to establish prayer and pay Zakaah. This is the correct religion." (Q98[al-Bayyinah]: 5)
After the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) died and Abu Bakr (RA) had assumed leadership, some of the Arabs rejected Islam. 'Umar asked 'Abu Bakr: "How are you going to go to war against these people when Allah's Messenger said: 'I am commanded to fight them until they say 'There is no God but Allaah', and if they do so, they have safeguarded their wealth and their lives except in the dispensation of justice, and, their affair is with Allaah.'?" Abu Bakr replied: "I will fight those who differentiate between prayer and Zakaah, for Zakaah is a right against wealth. By Allaah, if they refuse to give me a camel hobble that they used to give to Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhiwa sallam) I will fight them for it." (Bukhari)
As for fasting during the month of Ramadan, it is prescribed in the following verse:
"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it is prescribed for those who came before you, that perchance you might fear Allah." (Q2 [al-Baqarah]: 183)
Allaah informs us as to why the fast takes place during the month of Ramadan when He says:
"Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down as a guide to humanity and as clear signs for guidance and judgment. So whoever among you witnesses this month should spend it in fasting." (Q2[al-Baqarah]: 185)
The following story emphasizes just how important these pillars are:-
Once, a man from central Arabia with dishevelled hair approached the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and asked him about Islam. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to him: "There are five prayers to be offered in the day and the night." The man asked: "Do I have to offer any others?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: "No. unless you do so voluntarily."Then he continued: "You must fast the month of Ramadan." The man asked: "Do I have to offer any other fasts?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: "No. unless you do so voluntarily." Then the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) informed him about zakaah, and he asked: "Do I have to pay anything else?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhiwa sallam) replied: "No. unless you do so voluntarily."The man then turned away saying: "By Allah, I will do nothing extra for these things nor do any less than I have to." At this, Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhiwa sallam) remarked: "He will attain success if he proves truthful." (Bukhari")
Pilgrimage becomes an obligation on those who have the ability to undertake it. Allaah says:
"And pilgrimage to the House is a duty that the people owe to Allaah, whoever among them is able to make the journey. And whoever disbelieves, then truly Allaah stands not in need of Creation." (Q3[Al-'Imraan]: 97)
The Six Articles Of Faith
Then he said: ''Tell me about faith." Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: "It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree, both the good and bad of it" He said: ''You have spoken the truth." In this hadeeth, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) is asked to define faith. He does so by mentioning six things that a Muslim must believe. It is required that a Muslim believes in these six matters with conviction and resolve. If a person rejects anyone of these tenets, he will be outside the pale of Islam. The first five of these articles are mentioned together in the Qur'an. Allaah says:
"Righteousness is of one who believes in Allah, the Last the angels, the Book and the Prophets." (Q2[al-Baqarah]:177)
The Ist Article - Belief In Allaah
Islam is the religion of total submission to Allaah. It emphasizes that A1laahis One, the Creator of all that exists, and that He alone has the right to be worshipped. In our testimony of faith, We say: "There is no god but Allaah" and affirm our monotheism. Our monotheistic belief can be broken down into three categories:
1. The Oneness of Allaah in His Lordship [tawheed ar-Rububiyyah]: We must believe that Allah alone is the Creator of all things and He alone causes everything to happen. No one shares in His power. Nothing can go against Him and nothing can resist His decree.
2. The devotion of all worship to Allaah alone [tawheed al-Uluhiyyah]: This is the core belief of Islam. This was the message proclaimed by all the Prophets and Messengers of Islam sent by Allaah throughout the ages. They came with the purpose of calling people away from the worship of creation and to direct them toward the worship of the Creator only. Allaah says:
"We had not sent a Messenger before you (O Muhammad) except that we revealed to him that there is no God but Me so worship Me." (Q21[al-Anbiyaa]: 25)
Allaah informs us that the sole purpose of the creation of humanity is to worship Him alone. Allah says:
"I did not create humanity and the linn except to worship Me." (Q51[al-Dhaariyat]:56)
3. The uniqueness of Allaah in His names and attributes [tawheed al-Asma' al-Husna]: It is incumbent upon us as Muslims to believe in all the names and attributes of Allaah that Allah ascribes to Himself in the Qur'an and that His Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) ascribes to Him in the Sunnah.
Likewise, it is forbidden for us as Muslims to ascribe to Allah any attributes that Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) do not inform us about. We do not ascribe to Allah the attributes of created things nor do we liken His attributes to those of created things. We accept with full belief and conviction what Allah tells us about Himself.
The 2nd Article -Belief In The Angels of Allaah
A Muslim must believe in the existence of angels. They are creations of Allaah who are powerful and always do precisely as Allaah commands them. Allaah has revealed to us the names and the duties of some of the angels. Jibreel and Mikail are among the angels mentioned in the Qur'an. For instance, it is among Jibreel's duties to take Allaah's Revelation to the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them).
The 3rd Article- Belief In The Books of Allah
Muslims believe in all of the original scriptures that Allah revealed to His select Messengers (peace be upon them). A Muslim must believe in every scripture mentioned by Allah in the Qur'an. The scriptures that Allah mentions in the Qur'an are as follows:
1.The Scrolls that were revealed to Abraham (alayhis sallam)
2.The Torah that was revealed to Moses (alayhis sallam)
3.The Psalms that were revealed to David.(alayhis sallam)
4.The Gospel that was revealed to Jesus (alayhis sallam)
5.The Qur'an that was revealed to Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and which has been preserved to this day in its original form.
Muslims do 'not consider the Bible that is presently in circulation in various editions and versions to be an accurate representation of the older scriptures that were revealed before the Qur'an, Allah did not attend to preserving the previously revealed books from corruption and substitution. Instead, He left their preservation to those upon whom He sent the books. Allah says:
"Verily we sent down the Torah containing guidance and light, by which the Prophets who submitted themselves to Allaah's will would judge the Jews. Likewise judged the priests and the rabbis, for they were entrusted with preserving the Book of Allah." (Q5[a'-Ma' idah]:44)
For this reason, these books were not spared from corruption and substitution, as is clearly stated in the Qur'an. Moreover, many of the followers and scholars of the other religions admit that their books have been tampered with. As for the Qur'an, Allaah has taken its preservation upon Himself. Allaah says:
"Verily we have sent down the remembrance, and verily we are its preservers."
What remains of the previous scriptures is a mixture of truth and falsehood.
The contents of those scriptures can be broken down into three categories. The first category is that of matters the Qur'an and Sunnah have confirmed. We consequently believe in them and affirm their authenticity.
The second category includes all those matters that contradict the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah. In those instances, we are certain that those matters are not authentic and we reject them.
The third category comprises those matters that the Qur'an and Sunnah neither affirm nor deny. Our position with respect to these matters is a non-committal one; we neither believe in them nor disbelieve. Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"If the People of the Scripture relate something to you, neither believe them nor reject what they say."
The 4th article - Belief In The Messengers of Allah
A Muslim must believe in all of the Prophets and Messengers Sent by Allah to humanity. The Prophets, from Adam to Muhammad (alayhimus sallam), were all brothers in faith. They all called people to the same truth. Different Messengers came with different sets of laws that Allaah sent through them to guide and govern the people, but the essence of their teachings was the same.
They all called people away from the worship of created things to the worship of the Creator. Allah says:
"We had sent to every nation. a messenger telling them to worship Allah and to avoid false gods. (Q16[al-Nahl]: 36)
Muslims are required to love and respect all of the Prophets and Messengers (alayhimus sallam). If a person rejects or dislikes anyone of them, that person is not a believer.
The 5th article - Belief in the Last Day
All Muslims must believe, without doubt, that this present world will come to an end and then we will be resurrected to stand in judgment before our Lord and receive our recompense. It has been called the "Last Day" because there is no day after it, for the people of Paradise will go to their abode and the people of the Hellfire will go to theirs. From that day forth, our existence will be eternal.
Allaah says:
"Then verily after that you will die. Then on the Day of Judgment you will be resurrected." (Q23[al-Mu'minun]: 15-16)
He says:
"We will set down the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment so no soul will be wronged. Even if it has the weight of a mustard seed, we shall bring it to account, and Allah is sufficient to take account." (Q21 [al-Anbiyaa']:47)
The 6th article - Belief in Divine Decree
As discussed by Ibn Rajab, there are two levels to our belief in divine decree. The first is to believe that Allaah's knowledge encompasses all that has ever happened and all that ever will happen. Allaah knows who will obey Him and who will disobey and who is destined for Paradise and who is destined for Hell. The second level is belief that Allaah created the very actions of His servants. He created every act of obedience and their disobedience that we perform. Allaah says:
"Allaah created you and what you do." (Q37[al-Saffaat]: 96)
At the same time, we are obliged to believe in the free will of the human being. This does not in any way contradict the fact that Allah knows everything that will ever occur in creation. Someone might allege: "If Allah knows that I am going to commit a sin tomorrow, then it is unavoidable that I do so because Allah's knowledge is infallible and what Allah knows to come to pass must in fact come to pass. Therefore, I have no free will. My free will is but an illusion."
The answer to this contention is that Allah created within each of us the ability to formulate an intention. Allah wants us to be able to make our own choices. When a person makes a choice, Allah creates the actions and circumstances that allow the person's intention to be carried out. Allah creates our actions, but He does not dictate those actions to us. It is Allah's Will that human beings have free will. Allaah is not always pleased with the decisions we make, but He wants us to be able to make these decisions of our own free choice. We will be rewarded or punished on account of the choices that we make. Allah knows what decisions we will make throughout our lives of our own free will.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited