Answer: ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of traveling were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) resting his knees against the knees of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and placing his palms over his thighs, and said: 'O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied: 'Islam is to testify that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, to perform prayer, give Zakah, fast Ramadān, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka‘bah), if you have the means to perform it.' He said: 'You have spoken the truth.' We were surprised at his questioning him and then declaring that he spoke the truth. He said: 'Tell me about Imān (faith).' He (the Prophet) answered: 'It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in destiny with its good and evil aspects.' He said: 'You have spoken the truth.' Then he (the man) said: 'Tell me about Ihsān (excellence).' He (the Prophet) answered: 'It is to worship Allah as though you could see Him, for if you cannot see Him, He indeed sees you.' He said: 'Tell me about the Hour.' He (the Prophet) said: 'The one questioned knows no more than the questioner.' So he said: 'Well, tell me about its signs.' He said: 'When the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and to see the barefooted, the naked, and the destitute shepherds (competing with one another in) making lofty buildings.' Thereupon the man went off. He (the Prophet) waited a while and then he said: 'O ‘Umar, do you know who that questioner was?' I replied: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'That was Jibrīl (Gabriel). He came to teach you your religion.'" [Narrated by Muslim]

Benefits of the Hadīth

1. Mentioning the five pillars of Islam, which are:

- Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

- Establishing the prayer

- Giving Zakah

- Fasting Ramadān

- Performing Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah

2. Mentioning the pillars of Imān, which are:

- Believing in Allah

- Believing in His angels

- Believing in His Books

- Believing in His messengers

- Believing in the Last Day

- Believing in destiny with its good and evil aspects

3. Mentioning the pillar of Ihsān, which is only one pillar, and that is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you cannot see Him, He indeed sees you.

4. None knows the timing of the Hour except Allah Almighty.

Fourth Hadīth