While we were sitting in the presence of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, one day a man with very white clothes appeared to us.
His hair is intensely black; he shows no sign of travel, and none of us recognizes him.
Until he sat down by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
He rested his knees against his knees and placed his hands on his thighs, and said: 'O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.'
The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: Islam is to bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, and to establish the prayer.
And give the obligatory charity, fast during Ramadan, and perform the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to find a way to it.
He said: 'You have spoken the truth.'
We were astonished that he asked him and then affirmed him!
He said: 'Then tell me about faith.'
He said: 'It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in predestination, its good and its bad.'
He said: 'You have spoken the truth.'
He said: 'Then tell me about ihsan.'
He said: 'It is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.'
He said: 'Then tell me about the Hour (of Judgment).
He said, 'The one being asked does not know more about it than the one asking.'
He said, 'Then tell me about its signs.'
He said, 'That a slave woman will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefoot, unclothed, destitute shepherds competing in erecting tall buildings.'
Then he departed, and I stayed for a long period. Then he said: 'O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?'
I said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.'
He said, 'Indeed, it was Gabriel who came to teach you your religion.'
