The religion in three words: Islam, Īmān, Iḥsān.
Narrated by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (عمر بن الخطاب)
الإِسْلاَمُ: أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَٰهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ... الإِيمَانُ: أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلاَئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ... الإِحْسَانُ: أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ
"Islam is that you bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establish the prayer, give zakāt, fast Ramadan, and make pilgrimage to the House if you are able. Īmān is that you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in divine decree — its good and its bitter. Iḥsān is that you worship Allah as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, He sees you."
The angel Jibrīl came to the Prophet ﷺ in the form of a stranger and asked these questions in front of the companions. The Prophet answered each one. When the stranger left, the Prophet told his companions: "That was Jibrīl. He came to teach you your religion." The whole religion — outward practice, inward belief, spiritual excellence — fits in one short conversation.
Passages that draw on this hadith
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"language concerning faith's specificity and Islam's universality. Hence, when asked, which aspect of Islam is best, the answer faith was given, as faith is a particular aspect of Islam. Using them synonymously implies defining Islam as submission with both heart"
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"which aspect of Islam is best, he replied, Faith. This highlights the distinction and connection between Islam and faith. Islam involves submission through the heart, tongue, or limbs, with the heart's submission, known as faith, being the most excellent. The terms"
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"or drink without seeing it, and it would make him weep. It is narrated that the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw Gabriel's form at Al-Abtah and was struck by it. The prophet asked Gabriel to show him his true form, and Gabriel said, Pray to your"
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"of John saw no one, but Mary hoped it was Gabriel, whom she had not seen for a long time. Approaching the grave, Gabriel spoke to her, confirming that the Messiah had been raised and that the crucified was a young man made to resemble him. Gabriel instructed"
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"Islam, he must repent from his heedlessness by understanding the meaning of Islam, for his parents, Islam will not benefit him unless he submits himself. When he comprehends this, he must turn away from his habit and indulgence in desires without"
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"runaway is asleep. Another hadith mentions Gabriel, where the Prophet asked to see him in his true form, and Gabriel replied, You cannot bear that. It is established in the Sahih that the Prophet saw Gabriel in his true form twice."
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"drew near and came down, it was Gabriel coming to him in a man's form. Furthermore, there is a hadith about Gabriel appearing as Dihya al-Kalbi. Usama ibn Zayd reported that Gabriel came to the Prophet while Umm Salama was"
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"Adam. He sat at the path of Islam, questioning acceptance of Islam, but the person disobeyed him and accepted Islam. Then he sat at the path of migration, questioning leaving one's land, but the person disobeyed"
More on foundations
- The first hadith — the inner measure of every deed."Actions are only by intentions, and every person shall have only what they intended."
- The five pillars."Islam is built on five: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; the establishment of prayer; the paying of zakāt; the pilgrimage to the House; and fasting Ramadan."
- The soul and the decree written in the womb."The creation of each of you is gathered in the womb of their mother for forty days as a drop, then a clinging thing for the same period, then a lump of flesh for the same period. Then the angel is sent, who breathes the soul into it, and is commanded to write four things: its provision, its term of life, its deeds, and whether it will be wretched or blessed."
- Innovation in the religion is returned to its introducer."Whoever introduces into this matter of ours something that is not from it — it is rejected."