Al-Arbaun (the 40 Hadith) of Imam an-Nawawi Hadith-2

عَنْ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَيْضًا قَالَ: ” بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ جُلُوسٌ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ، إذْ طَلَعَ عَلَيْنَا رَجُلٌ شَدِيدُ بَيَاضِ الثِّيَابِ، شَدِيدُ سَوَادِ الشَّعْرِ، لَا يُرَى عَلَيْهِ أَثَرُ السَّفَرِ، وَلَا يَعْرِفُهُ مِنَّا أَحَدٌ. حَتَّى جَلَسَ إلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه و سلم . فَأَسْنَدَ رُكْبَتَيْهِ إلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ، وَوَضَعَ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى فَخِذَيْهِ، وَقَالَ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ الْإِسْلَامِ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم الْإِسْلَامُ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَتُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةَ، وَتُؤْتِيَ الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصُومَ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجَّ الْبَيْتَ إنْ اسْتَطَعْت إلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا. قَالَ: صَدَقْت . فَعَجِبْنَا لَهُ يَسْأَلُهُ وَيُصَدِّقُهُ! قَالَ: فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ الْإِيمَانِ. قَالَ: أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاَللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ، وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ. قَالَ: صَدَقْت. قَالَ: فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ الْإِحْسَانِ. قَالَ: أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّك تَرَاهُ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاك. قَالَ: فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ السَّاعَةِ. قَالَ: مَا الْمَسْئُولُ عَنْهَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنْ السَّائِلِ. قَالَ: فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ أَمَارَاتِهَا؟ قَالَ: أَنْ تَلِدَ الْأَمَةُ رَبَّتَهَا، وَأَنْ تَرَى الْحُفَاةَ الْعُرَاةَ الْعَالَةَ رِعَاءَ الشَّاءِ يَتَطَاوَلُونَ فِي الْبُنْيَانِ. ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ، فَلَبِثْتُ مَلِيًّا، ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَا عُمَرُ أَتَدْرِي مَنْ السَّائِلُ؟. ‫‬قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ: فَإِنَّهُ جِبْرِيلُ أَتَاكُمْ يُعَلِّمُكُمْ دِينَكُمْ “. [رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ] .

Also on the authority of `Umar (ra) who said:

” While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet (ﷺ) rested his knees against the knees of the Prophet (ﷺ) and placed his palms over his thighs, and said: “O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied: “Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger (ﷺ), that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it).” He said: “You have spoken the truth.” We were astonished at his thus questioning him (ﷺ) and then telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, “Inform me about Iman (faith).” He (the Prophet) answered, “It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects.” He said, “You have spoken the truth.” Then he (the man) said, “Inform me about Ihsan.” He (the Prophet) answered, “It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you.” He said, “Inform me about the Hour.” He (the Prophet) said, “About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner.” So he said, “Well, inform me about its signs.” He said, “They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings.” Thereupon the man went off. I waited a while, and then he (the Prophet) said, “O `Umar, do you know who that questioner was?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” He said, “That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion.” [Muslim]

Reference

: Hadith 2, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi

Brief Explanation:

According to Imam an-Nawawi this hadith is the foundational root of our religion Islam as it describes the three concepts which are basis of the religion, Islam, Iman and Ihsan. The hadith mentions all actions which are regarded as good deeds, both outward and inward, in our religion. The hadith is narrated in the form of questions asked by Angel Jibril, and answers given by Prophet Muhammad(saw) which are approved by Angel Jibril. Hence, Angel Jibril gathered the knowledge of the whole religion in this hadith by asking these crucial questions regarding our deen.

The terms Islam and Iman are usually used interchangeably but the hadith describes them as distinct concepts, the third concept and at the highest degree is Ihsan. Both Islam and Iman include actions but one comprises of the outward actions and other of the inward actions.

In the hadith, Prophet Muhammad(saw) define Islam as the five pillars or outward actions of the limbs which a Muslim needs to perform to submit themselves to Allah swt namely Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Fasting and Hajj.

Iman on the other hand is defined as an action of the heart, something personal and related to firm and correct inner beliefs of a Muslim. The strength of the Iman affects the quality of all our actions and good deeds. Iman or faith is incomplete without belief in all of the following,

Belief in Allah , belief in Allah’s Angels, belief in Allah’s books, belief in Allah’s messengers/prophets, belief in the last day of Judgement, belief in Qadar which simply put means that everything good or bad happens with Allah’s will.

Ihsan is defined by the Prophet Muhammad(saw) as the highest state of excellence for any action included in Islam or Iman. It comes from the place of utmost sincerity, fear and consciousness of Allah swt. To be so mindful of Allah swt that it leads to the perfection of every action we aim to perform, and at the same time such fear and consciousness of Allah swt that leads to abandonment of sins.

The last description/details given in the hadith by Prophet Muhammad(saw) are about two signs of the day of judgement. Prophet Muhammad(saw), although being the last prophet of Allah swt, did not shy away from accepting openly and clearly that he does not know when it will happen, and Angel Jibril confirmed his unawareness, as well as his own in this matter. The two signs mentioned of the coming of the hour by Prophet Muhammad(saw) in the above hadith are,

*the slave-woman will give birth to her mistress

*the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings

These are among many of the minor signs of the Akhirah. Many major signs are also mentioned in ahadith . However, it is wise not to worry too much about these signs of the day of Judgement rather pay heed to preparing for that day.

Lastly, it is important to mention that Al-Imam Muslim says: Towards the end of his life, Abdullah bin ‘Umar (the son of ‘Umar bin alKhattab) was told by two people that a new Islamic sect had emerged from Iraq. They were called Al-Qadariah and they denied al-Qadar (fate). Thus Abdullah bin ‘Umar narrated this hadith which mentions Qadar as one of the pillars of Iman to refute the misconception of this sect.

We must know as Muslims we start with Islam and Iman, the belief and faith in our heart which reflects in the form of sincere acts of worship and good deeds done for the sake of Allah swt. As the condition of our heart and faith keeps changing so can be the status of our outward deeds. Aiming for excellence and sincerity in our inward and outward deeds helps us to achieve the level of Ihsan. And lastly, believing in Qadar is an important part of our Aqeedah, and faith is incomplete without the belief in Qadar.

Personal Note : The above is based on my understanding of the lectures on the same by Dr. Farhat Hashmi , and the commentary of Dr. Jamal Badi.