A man of the people of Najd with dishevelled hair came to God’s messenger. We could hear the sound of his voice, but could not understand what he was saying till he came near God’s messenger and we realised that he was asking about Islam. God’s messenger said, “Five times of prayer each day and night.” He asked, “Must I observe any more than them?” He replied, “No, unless you do it voluntarily.” God's messenger said, “And fasting during the month of Ramadan.” He asked, “Must I observe anything else?” He replied, “No, unless you do it voluntarily.” Talha said that God's messenger mentioned the zakat to him, and he asked, “Must I pay anything else?” He replied, “No, unless you do it voluntarily.” He said that the man turned away saying, “I swear by God that I shall not add anything to this or fall short of it.” So God’s messenger said, “The man will prosper if he is speaking the truth.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Incident and Its Significance
This narration from the people of Najd presents a profound encounter where a sincere seeker approaches the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to understand the essential requirements of Islam. The man's dishevelled appearance indicates his earnest journey through the desert, while his direct questioning demonstrates a pure desire for religious clarity without unnecessary complications.
The Five Pillars Framework
The Prophet's response systematically outlines the fundamental pillars of Islamic practice: the five daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan, and zakat (obligatory charity). This structured presentation reveals the comprehensive nature of Islamic worship encompassing physical devotion (prayer), spiritual discipline (fasting), and social responsibility (charity).
The repeated emphasis on "unless you do it voluntarily" highlights the beautiful balance in Islamic law between obligatory acts (fard) and supererogatory worship (nafl). This distinction preserves the minimum requirements while encouraging spiritual excellence through additional voluntary deeds.
Scholarly Commentary on the Man's Declaration
Classical scholars note that the man's vow to neither add nor subtract from these obligations reflects a proper understanding of religious commitment. His statement demonstrates that true faith lies in perfecting the obligatory acts before pursuing voluntary ones. The Prophet's concluding remark, "The man will prosper if he is speaking the truth," serves as both a validation of this approach and a reminder that sincerity in fulfilling basic obligations is the foundation of salvation.
This narration from Mishkat al-Masabih 16 emphasizes that Islam's core requirements are manageable and accessible to all believers, while simultaneously providing avenues for spiritual advancement through voluntary worship for those who seek higher stations in the hereafter.