A book Of Faith

Chapter 2.

UMMUL HADEES

(THE MOTHER TRADITION)

It is reported by Hazrat Omar (ra) on a day he and some other companions were sitting in the presence of the messenger of Allah then suddenly a man came in. His hairs were jet black, there was not a trace of his having travelled ona journey, and none of us recognized him. ( the companions were lost in surprise, cos if the visitor was from madinah, he would have been known to them, and if he had traveled from outside, his clothes would have been sailed and there would b other traces if a journey on him. At that moment we could resolve nothing of the mystery . later on it was disclosed by prophet (SA) ).

But, the visitor going right upto hum sat down, his knees touching the knees of propher (SA) & placing his hands on the thigh of the messenger of Allah (SA) began asking him questions which the prophet (SA) answered.

“ Muhammad (SA) tell me what is Islam “?

The prophet answered : islam is that u witness that “ la ilaha illalla muhammadur rasulillah “

(theres no god besides Allah and that Muhammad (SA) js his messenger), that you establish prayers, observe fasting during ramzan, give zakat, and perform the annual pilgrimage (hajj) if u possibly can”

Hearing the answer, the visitor remarked, “ sadaqta” ( u r right ).

Hazrat omar (RA) says that he was astonished that the man himself had asked a question and the answer has furnished, he commented on its correctness as though he already knew it .

The visior then asked , “ Tell me what is faith ?”

“ Faith “ , said the messenger of Allah (SA) is that u believe in Allah, and his angels, in his revealed books, in his messengers and seers of Allah, in the last day and the fate, whether good or bad.”

The visitor again remarked, “ u r right “.

“& what is ehsaan ?” the visitor went on.

“ Ehsan is that u Worship Allah in such a way that u believe u r seeing him, and if u cannot do that, u should, at least, be conscious that he is seeing u “.

“ Now tell me when will the last day come ?”

“ That neither I know nor u “, the messenger of Allah (SA) said.

“ Then tell me what are the signs of the approach of the last Day.”

“ some of the signs are that women will give birth to the daughters who will b lord over them; & beggars and poachers will pride themselves over living in high end mansions.”

After these questions and answeres, the visitor left. Omar demurred asking the messenger (SA) about him, but the messenger of Allah (SA)  himself explained :      “ Omar do u know who this visitor was ?”

“ Allah and his messenger knows best who he was .”

“ He was Gabriel. He come to teach u by questioning me what ur religion is .”

Explanation :

This hadees is known as the hadees of Gabriel. It covers all the principles of Islam, the hidden and the practical; and just as the Surah Fatiha is called the ummul Qur’an, so is the hadees, called the ummu Hadees ( the mother tradition).

Sometimes cos of the prophet awe the companions could not ask him questions that vexed their minds and waited for some Bedouin to turn up and query him. That is why the arch- angel Gabriel was sent to assume the role of a pupil so that he might convey essentials teachings by question and answers.

On this occasion Gabriel appeared in untarnished clothes to convey by his example, first that a pupil should come to the presence of his teacher or shaikh in clean clothes. Next, that he should close to him, and then ask whatever question he has in mind.

The questioner, Gabriel, asked first about Islam and the messenger of Allah (SA) stated its five pillars; namely, to witness that Allah is One; to establish prayer; to give zakat; to fast during the month of Ramzan; and be perform the grand pilgrimage, Hajj.

There is a tradition that islam is like a single building which rest on these five supporting pillars.

Basic Principles Of Islam:

When the questioner asked about the basic beliefs of Islam, ( iman –e-mufassal) the propher (SA) answered that :

1.       First basic principles was to believe in Allah as he, the Messenger of Allah (SA) , had taught.

2.       To believe in the angels, in their existence and that they are the servants of Allah , obedient to Him.

3.       To belive in all the scriptures which he revealed to a number of messengers of allah from time to time. That whatever is written is the truth, and demanding obedience to each during the validity of its time; and now, revealing the last of these scriptures to the last of his messenger of Allah, to be obeyed until the last Day.

4.       To believe in all the messengers of Allah; that Allah has sent them for the guidance of mankind: all of them were guides. They were above the rest of Allah created ones. And  to be disrespectful to them is kufr , denial of Allah’s command. Finally , Muhammad (SA)was sent as the last in the lineage. He is Allah’s messenger  for all the human beings for all times to comes. To believe ib him and obey him is necessary. The principles of faith he has taught are binding on us forever. There can be no messenger of Allah after him. Anyone who believes ib another prophet denies the Quranic words even though d name of any claimant to prophecy be similar to the usual muslim names, which is usually the case.

5.       To believe in truth of the last day, that is, in being resurrected after dealth; in heaven and hell and in all the connected events as stated in the Quran and traditions.

6.       To believe in fate. That is, to believe that Allah almighty and glorious has created everything according to his own estimate of forms and change, being and non being. Whatever good or bad he has determined shall befell.

To believe in these sic basics without permitting doubt to becloud the heart is the true faith. All that one believes in or does falls within their purview.