Hadith of Jibril: Pillars of Islam

Among the hadith that should be learned by every Muslim is the hadith of Jibril that is known by the scholars of Islam as the mother of the Sunnah because of its importance as it explains the entire religion as it was told by the Prophet (Peace be upon him)  “That was Jibril, who came to teach you your religion.” This hadeeth explains Islam, Iman, Ihsan, Hour and its signs. This incident took place close to prophet's death and Jibril (Alayhi salam) came to summarize to the companions of prophet (Pbuh) the mission and message of Islam.

Hadeeth of Jibril was narrated by Omar Ibn Khattab (RA) who said: “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), there came before us a man with extremely white clothing and extremely black hair. There were no signs of travel on him and none of us knew him”. In this part of Hadeeth, Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen, said that we should learn from this hadith the good character of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) being in the company of His companions (RA) . It is appropriate for a Muslim to mix with people and not to be separated from the group.  Another point from the Hadith is the appearance of Jibril in form of man with good looking which show that it is important for the person who is seeking the knowledge of religion to be clean and have good appearance. 

The narrator went on to say “He approached and sat down by the Prophet resting his knees to his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs.” We learn from this part of HAdith that the seeker of knowledge should act with the teacher to be humble and close enough to listen and understand from the teacher. 

Then Jibril starts asking the Prophet (Pbuh) “O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) 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 prayer, pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah).” 

The response of the Prophet (Pbuh) clarifies that Islam is built upon five pillars:

  1-Shahada: To testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

     ⁂The declaration that Allah alone deserves to be worshiped and affirmed that He has no partner, no rival, no son; He is the creator of everything. Shahada is key to paradise as the prophet (Pbuh) said: "Whoever dies knowing that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah shallenter Paradise". But, there are conditions that must be met in order for a Muslim to be in paradise:

                    

     * Knowledge of Allah: Allah says: "So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah...." (Mohammed:19).                

    *Certainty: one should have no doubt about the shahada. Allah says: "The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful." (Al-Hujurat:15).             

    *Submission: one should submit to the will and command of Allah. Allah says: "And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped."(Az-Zumar:54).

     The second part of Shahada is to bear witness that the Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

    is the messenger of Allah.One must believe that is obligatory to follow His commands and prohibitions. Allah says: “And whatever the Messenger has given you – take it and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” (Al-Hashr: 7).

     

 2-Establishing prayer by performing it on its time and with perfection as it was taught by the Prophet (Peace be upon him), He said to his companion: "pray as you see me praying". The Salah is very important because the prophet (Pbuh) said: "The first matter that the slave of Allah will be called to account about on the Day of Judgement is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.” The main purpose of Salah is to remember Allah. Allah says:"... and establish prayer for My remembrance." (Taha:14). it also keeps one away from evil deeds as Allah says: "...Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing,..." (Al-Ankabut: 45). Prayer must be done with khushu'a (Humbleness). Allah Almighty says: "Certainly will the believers have succeeded, they who are during their prayer humbly submissive" (Al-Mu'minun:1-2).

     

3   3-Giving zakat is obligatory upon the one who has wealth that reaches the nissab.  Allah says: “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase…”(At-Tawba:103). Zakah is as important as salah. In Quran, Allah enjoined zakah and prayer in many verses: "The believers, men and women, are helpers and supporters of one another, they enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly, they give the zakat and they obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will bestow His mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Al-Taubah:71). Zakat has an important role in the Muslim community because it helps those who are in need and strengthens the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood. It also removes stinginess and it shows that the believers know that all that they have come from Allah Almighty and they will not suffer if they give wealth for His sake but they will be rewarded as Allah says: "The likeness of those who spend in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain, which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains, and Allah multiples His reward for whom He wills. And Allah is All Encompassing, All Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah: 261).

   4 -Fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory and it is refraining from food, drink and desires. Allah says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”(Al-Baqara: 183). 

     The fasting is very important as it will come on day of judgement as an intercessor. The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "The fast and the Qur’an shall come as intercessors on the Day of Resurrection. The fast shall say, ’O Lord, I prevented him from his food and drink during the day, so let me intercede for him’. The Qur’an will say, ‘I kept him from sleep during the night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will be allowed to intercede.”

The one who fasts the month of Ramadan with sincerity, having faith in Allah and seeking the reward, Allah will forgive his previous sins. the The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with faith and hoping for its reward shall have all of his previous sins forgiven for him.” 

5- Performing Hajj is duty that should be made by every Muslim who has ability to do so. Allah says: “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find there to a way.” (Al-Imran: 97). The hajj has great reward as the prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "“And the Hajj that is accepted by Allah and performed properly has no reward other than Paradise.” 

The one who performs hajj sincerely to Allah abandons all worldly material and submit himself only to Allah to please Him and seeks His forgiveness and the great reward. Hajj is time of unity between Muslim and it is way to develop patient.