"While we were sitting in the Masjid, a man came on a camel and made it keneel in the Masjid, then he hobbled it and said to them: 'Which of you is Muhammad?' The Messenger of Allah was reclining amid his Companions, and we said to him: This white man who is reclining.' The man said to him: 'O son of 'Abdul-Muttalib.' The Messenger of Allah said: ' I have answered you.' The man said; 'O Muhammad, I am going to ask you questions, and I will be harsh in asking; do not get upset.; The man said: 'I adjure you by your Lord and the Lord of those who cam before you, has Allah sent you to all the people?' The Messenger of Allah said: 'By Allah, yes.' He said; 'I adjure you by Allah, has Allah commanded you to offer five prayers each day and night?' The Messenger of Allah said: 'By Allah, yes.; He said: 'I adjure you by Allah, has Allah commanded you to fast this month each year? The Messenger of Allah said: 'By Allah, Yes.' He said: 'I adjure you by Allah, has Allah commanded you to take this charity from our rich and distribute it among our poor?' The Messenger of Allah said. 'By Allah, yes.' The man said: 'I believe in that which you have brought, and I am the envoy of my people who are coming after me. I am Dimam bin Thalabah, the brother of Banu sad bin Bakr."' Yaqub bin Ibrahim contradicted him.
The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2092
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i presents a profound encounter between the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Dimam bin Thalabah, wherein the fundamental pillars of Islam are affirmed through solemn oaths.
Scholarly Commentary on the Hadith
The questioning method employed by Dimam demonstrates the permissibility of seeking religious clarification through direct questioning, even with intensity, provided it is done with sincere intention.
The Prophet's repeated affirmation "By Allah, yes" to each question establishes the divine obligation (farḍ) of the five daily prayers, the annual fasting of Ramadan, and zakah distribution - constituting three of Islam's five pillars.
Dimam's immediate acceptance after verification illustrates the proper methodology for embracing faith: seeking knowledge first, then submitting to divine commandments.
The Prophet's patience throughout the harsh questioning exemplifies the ideal character required of religious teachers when facing sincere inquirers.
This narration serves as a foundational text confirming the universality of Prophet Muhammad's message to all mankind, not merely to a specific tribe or community.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
The hadith establishes the compulsory nature of Ramadan fasting as a divinely mandated obligation, not merely a recommended practice.
It demonstrates that Islamic rituals are based on clear divine commandments rather than human reasoning or cultural traditions.
The narration highlights the interconnectedness of Islamic pillars - belief followed by prayer, fasting, and charity - forming a complete system of worship.