One day while the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (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." Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.
1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.
2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.
The Prophet (ﷺ) then recited: "Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour--." (31. 34) Then that man (Gabriel) 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.
The Hadith of Jibrīl: Foundation of Islamic Belief
This profound narration from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (50) serves as a comprehensive summary of Islamic creed, worship, and spirituality. The appearance of Angel Gabriel in human form to question the Messenger of Allah ﷺ demonstrates the importance of these fundamental principles in the religion.
Commentary on Imān (Faith)
The Prophet's ﷺ definition encompasses the six pillars of faith: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree. The "meeting with Him" refers to belief in the Hereafter and encountering Allah in the afterlife.
Scholars explain that true faith requires affirmation by heart, utterance by tongue, and action by limbs. It increases through obedience and decreases through disobedience, yet remains distinct from mere Islam in its comprehensive nature.
Commentary on Islām (Submission)
The five pillars mentioned constitute the outward manifestation of faith. Worship of Allah alone establishes tawḥīd (monotheism), while prayer, zakāh, and fasting represent practical submission. Scholars note that these acts purify the soul, wealth, and body respectively.
The distinction between Islam and Iman in this narration demonstrates that while Islam may refer to outward submission, true faith requires inward conviction alongside external practice.
Commentary on Iḥsān (Spiritual Excellence)
Iḥsān represents the highest level of spiritual attainment - worshipping Allah with such presence of heart as if seeing Him directly. Scholars describe this as "mushāhadah" (spiritual witnessing). The secondary level - worshipping while knowing Allah sees you - cultivates constant God-consciousness (murāqabah).
This state transforms ordinary worship into profound spiritual experience, where the worshipper becomes fully attentive to the Divine Presence in every moment.
Commentary on the Hour's Signs
The two minor signs mentioned indicate profound social upheaval: "When a slave gives birth to her master" refers to children disrespecting parents or widespread moral decay. "Shepherds competing in building" signifies sudden wealth and arrogance among simple folk.
The Prophet's ﷺ acknowledgment that only Allah knows the Hour's exact timing reinforces the Islamic principle that certain knowledge belongs exclusively to Allah, protecting the community from false claims of prophecy.
Scholarly Significance
This hadith comprehensively outlines the three dimensions of religion: doctrine (Imān), practice (Islām), and spirituality (Iḥsān). Classical scholars consider it a foundational text for understanding Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and spiritual development.
The narration's structure demonstrates the progressive nature of religious development, moving from correct belief to proper worship to spiritual excellence, providing Muslims with a complete roadmap for their religious journey.