Hadith Jibreel, also known as the Hadith of Gabriel, is one of the most significant hadiths in Islam as it comprehensively covers the fundamental aspects of the religion. This hadith describes an event where the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) visited the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and asked him several questions in front of his companions. The questions and the Prophet’s responses provide a concise overview of the core teachings of Islam. Here is the Hadith Jibreel:
The Hadith:
| Reference | Riyad as-Salihin 60 |
|---|---|
| In-book reference | Introduction, Hadith 60 |
Arabic:
وأما الأحاديث ؛ فالأول: عن عمر بن الخطاب، رضي الله عنه ، قال “ بينما نحن جلوس عند رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات يوم إذ طلع عينا رجل شديد بياض الثياب ، شديد سواد الشعر، لا يرى عليه أثر السفر، ولا يعرفه منا أحد، حتى جلس إلى النبي ،صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فأسند ركبتيه إلى ركبتيه، ووضع كفيه على فخذيه وقال: يا محمد أخبرني عن الإسلام، فقال: رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
English:
‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with them) said: Once we were sitting in the company of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when there appeared a man dressed in very white clothes and having extraordinary black hair. No signs of fatigue of journey appeared on him and he was known to none of us. He sat down facing the Prophet (ﷺ) leaning his knees against the knees of the Prophet (ﷺ) and placing both of his palms over his two thighs and said, “O Muhammad (ﷺ)! Tell me about Islam”. He (ﷺ) replied, “Islam is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad (ﷺ) is the Messenger of Allah; that you observe Salat (prayers), pay Zakat, observe Saum (fasting) of Ramadan and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) of the House, provided you have resources of making journey to it.”
Arabic:
الإسلام أن تشهد أن لا إله إلا الله ، وأن محمداً رسول الله وتقيم الصلاة، وتؤتي الزكاة ، وتصوم رمضان ، وتحج البيت إن استطعت إليه سبيلاً.
English:
He replied: “You have spoken the truth.” We were surprised to see that he had asked him and confirmed the correctness of the answers. He then enquired: “Tell me about Iman.” He (ﷺ) said: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day and that you believe in preordainment (destiny), its bad and good consequences.”
Arabic:
قال صدقت. فعجبنا له يسأله ويصدقه! قال : فأخبرني عن الإيمان.
English:
He said, “You have spoken the truth.” He then enquired: “Tell me about Ihsan.” He (ﷺ) said, “It is to worship Allah as if you are seeing Him; and although you do not see Him, He sees you.”
Arabic:
قال أن تؤمن بالله، وملائكته، وكتبه ورسله، واليوم الآخر، وتؤمن بالقدر خيره وشره. قال صدقت. قال فأخبرني عن الإحسان .
English:
He enquired: “Inform me about the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection).” He (ﷺ) replied, “I have no more knowledge thereof than you”. He said, “Inform me about some of its signs.” He (ﷺ) said, “They are – that a bondswoman gives birth to her own master, and that you will find the barefooted, naked, poor shepherds competing one another in the construction of higher buildings.”
Arabic:
قال أن تعبد الله كأنك تراه؛ فإن لم تكن تراه فإنه يراك. قال: فأخبرني عن الساعة.
English:
Then he departed. The Messenger of Allah kept silent for a while then he said to me, “O ‘Umar! Do you know who the questioner was?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He was Jibreel (Gabriel); he came to you to teach you your religion.” [Muslim]
Arabic:
قال: ما المسؤول عنها بأعلم من السائل. قال : فأخبرني عن أماراتها قال: أن تلد الأمة ربتها، وأن ترى الحفاة العراة العالة رعاء الشاء يتطالون في البنيان. ثم انطلق، فلبثت ملياً، ثم قال: يا عمر أتدري من السائل؟ قلت: الله ورسوله أعلم. قال: فإنه جبريل أتاكم يعلمكم أمر دينكم” ((رواه مسلم)) .
Key Teachings from Hadith Jibreel:
- Islam (Submission):
- Shahada (Testimony of Faith)
- Salah (Prayer)
- Zakat (Almsgiving)
- Sawm (Fasting in Ramadan)
- Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
- Imaan (Faith):
- Belief in Allah
- Belief in Angels
- Belief in Divine Books
- Belief in Prophets
- Belief in the Day of Judgment
- Belief in Qadar (Divine Decree)
- Ihsaan (Excellence in Worship):
- Worshiping Allah as if you see Him, being aware that He sees you.
- Signs of the Hour:
- Social and cultural changes, such as the slave girl giving birth to her mistress and the competition in constructing tall buildings by those who were once destitute.
This hadith serves as a foundational text in understanding the core beliefs and practices in Islam.
Hadith Source: https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:60