Hadith Jibreel: Islam, Iman and Ihsan

The hadith Jibreel is the single most important hadith. Its narrative contains the best summary of the core of Islam: Islam which is described with the "Five Pillars of Islam” and “six articles of faith”. Islam & Imaan according to Hadith Jibreel

One day while the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Jibreel (a.s) came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied: "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan and make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to go there."………….

Then that man (Jibreel) left and the Prophet (ﷺ) asked his companions to call him back. But they could not see him. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." Abu 'Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of faith.

This wording is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 50, narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA). The fuller narration in Sahih Muslim 8, narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), describes Jibreel arriving in white garments and sets out Islam, the six articles of Iman including belief in divine decree (al-Qadr), Ihsan, and the signs of the Hour.

When asked by angel Jibreel(a.s) what is Islam? Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) replied that it is to worship Allah and accept that he is the only Supreme being. No other can be worshipped other than him which is also the first pillar of Islam Tauheed. The second thing was to offer prayers and be punctual which is Salaat. The third thing was to pay charity in the way of Allah, Zakat. The fourth point was to fast in the month of Ramadan which is to eat nothing from dawn to dusk in order to please the Almighty, Roza. The last to make a pilgrimage to the House of Allah, Hajj. These are also the five pillars of Islam and are obligatory for every Muslim to follow.

Hazrat Jibreel (a.s) asked the Holy Prophet (PBUH) what is Iman (faith)? Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) replied Iman is to have firm and unwavering belief in Allah, with absolute certainty and no doubt in His existence, His Lordship, and His right to be worshipped alone. Then to believe in His angels, all of them. Some of angles are HazratJibreel (a.s), HazratIsrael (a.s), HazratMikael (a.s), HazratIsrafel (a.s). After that, he said Iman is to believe in all the previous books before the Holy Quran, Taurait, Zaboor, and Injeel. It is to have faith that one day we will stand in front of Almighty Allah and be accountable for our deeds.

Then it is to have complete faith in all the prophets sent by Allah to many different nations, in order to spread the righteous words and call people towards the right path, towards Allah s.w.t and lastly to have faith in the resurrection which means to come to life after death, on the day of judgment every single human being to have walked the Earth will come to life and wait for their reward or punishment based on their deeds.

Jibreel (a.s) then asked about Ihsan, spiritual excellence. The Prophet (PBUH) replied: “To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, then know that He sees you” (أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ).

This third question completes the hadith. Islam is what the limbs do, Iman is what the heart holds, and Ihsan is the quality of awareness a believer brings to both. Jibreel also asked about the Hour, and the Prophet (PBUH) answered that knowledge of it belongs to Allah alone, mentioning some of its signs.

Hadith Jibreel is among the most famous and comprehensive hadiths in Islamic scholarship, encompassing the whole of the religion (ad-Deen). It sets out the “five pillars of Islam”, the “six articles of faith”, and Ihsan. The incident of Hadith Jibreel happened as the Holy Prophet was sitting with the companions and Jibreel (A.S) came and taught the principles of Islam. The five Pillars outlined that there is only one Allah and he is omnipotent and to offer prayers, Zakat and Hajj are obligatory.

These pillars are essential for any Muslim as these are the foundations of Islam. To believe in Allah means having faith in Islam and to believe Prophet Muhammad as his last prophet and Quran is revealed upon him is also a sign of a believer and follower (having iman). To believe in 4 holy books, all the prophets and angels are also a sign of powerful iman.  One must possess these principles and beliefs as these are necessary to be a Muslim.

SignUp to learn more details about the various important Pillars of Islam according to Islamic teaching available at QuranHost, which is a great Online Quran Academy to get your children enrolled in.

Related reading: the six articles of faith explained one by one, the Shahada, the first pillar of Islam, and what Jannah is, which belief in the Last Day points towards.