One day the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) appeared before the public so a man came to him and then said: Prophet of Allah, what is Iman? Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, His angels, His Books, His meeting, His Messengers and that you affirm your faith in the Resurrection hereafter. He said: Messenger of Allah, what is al-Islam? He replied: Al-Islam is that you worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him and you establish obligatory prayer and you pay the obligatory alms (Zakat) and you observe the fast of Ramadan. He said: Messenger of Allah, what is al-Ihsan? He replied: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, and for if you fail to see Him. He said: Messenger of Allah, when is the Hour (of Doom)? He replied: The one who is asked about it is no better informed than the inquirer, however I will narrate some of its signs to you. When the slave-girl will give birth to her master, then that is from its signs. When the naked, barefooted would become the chiefs of the people, then that is from its signs. When the shepherds of the black (camels) would exult themselves in buildings, then that is from its signs. (The Hour is) Among one of the five which no one knows but Allah. Then he recited (the verse): "Verily Allah! with Him alone is the knowledge of the Hour and He it is Who sends down the rain and knows that which is in the wombs. And no soul knows what it shall earn tomorrow, and a soul knows not in what land it shall die. Verily Allah is Knowing, Aware." He (Abu Huraira) said: Then the person turned back and went away. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Bring that man back to me. They went to bring him back, but they saw nothing there. Upon this the Messenger of Allah remarked: he was Gabriel, who came to teach the people their religion.
The Book of Faith - Sahih Muslim 8e Commentary
This profound hadith from Sahih Muslim, known as the "Hadith of Jibril," contains the foundational principles of Islamic creed and practice. The angel Gabriel appeared in human form to teach the Companions the essential components of their religion through questioning the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The Three Pillars of Religion
Iman (Faith): The Prophet defined Iman as belief in Allah, His angels, His revealed books, His messengers, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree. This constitutes the six articles of faith that form the Muslim's creedal foundation.
Islam (Submission): The Prophet identified Islam with the five pillars: testifying to Allah's oneness, establishing prayer, paying zakat, fasting Ramadan, and performing pilgrimage. These are the outward manifestations of faith.
Ihsan (Excellence): This represents the highest level of spiritual attainment - worshipping Allah as if seeing Him, and knowing He sees us even when we cannot see Him. This state of spiritual consciousness elevates mere ritual to profound devotion.
Signs of the Hour
The Prophet mentioned several minor signs: slaves giving birth to masters indicates social upheaval; barefoot Bedouins competing in building tall structures shows sudden wealth and arrogance; and shepherds of black camels becoming leaders signifies rapid social mobility. These signs warn of moral and social decay preceding the Final Hour.
Divine Knowledge
The Prophet emphasized that knowledge of the Hour's exact timing is with Allah alone, quoting Quran 31:34. This teaches humility and prevents speculation about the unseen, directing believers to focus on preparation rather than prediction.
Scholarly Significance
Classical scholars consider this hadith a comprehensive summary of Islamic teachings. Al-Nawawi described it as "a great foundation among the foundations of religion." Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali noted it contains the entire religion's principles - belief, practice, and spiritual excellence - making it among the most important prophetic traditions.