1. Important introduction on the importance of seeking knowledge
2. What is the greatest hadeeth clarifying the levels of the religion?
3. List the narrations of this hadeeth and the Companions who narrated it

Introduction

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، الحمد لله رب العالمين، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله، صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم تسليما كثيرا إلى يوم الدين.

To proceed:

A Muslim is required to make use of the time Allaah has granted him. Life and time are blessings, and we will be questioned about them.

Allaah, Exalted is He, says:

O you who believe, fear Allaah, and let every soul look to what it has sent forth for tomorrow

[Al-Hashr: 18]

The Prophet, salla-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:

“Two blessings that many people lose out on: health and free time”.

(Al-Bukhaary)

From the greatest ways to use one’s life correctly is seeking beneficial knowledge, because faith and righteous deeds cannot be correct without knowledge.

Seeking Knowledge Is an Obligation

Seeking knowledge is not optional. It is an obligation upon every Muslim, just like prayer, zakaat, fasting, and Hajj.

The Prophet, salla-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:

Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim

This hadeeth was narrated by Ibn Maajah and others and authenticated by a number of scholars, including Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr and al-Albaany.

Through knowledge, Allaah raises people in rank. Allaah says:

Allaah will raise those who believe among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees

[Al-Mujaadilah: 11]

Because of this virtue, even listening attentively to lessons is considered seeking knowledge, and the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge.

The Greatest Hadeeth Explaining the Religion

‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him, said:

“While we were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah, sallaa-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, one day, a man appeared before us with extremely white clothes and extremely black hair. No signs of travel were seen on him, and none of us knew him.

He sat before the Prophet, sallaa-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, placed his knees against his knees, and placed his hands on his thighs, and said:

‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islaam.’

He said: ‘Islaam is to testify that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, to establish prayer, to give zakaat, to fast Ramadhaan, and to perform Hajj if you are able.’

He said: ‘You have spoken the truth.’

He said: ‘Then tell me about Eemaan.’

He said: ‘It is to believe in Allaah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in al-Qadr (divine decree), its good and its bad.’

He said: ‘You have spoken the truth.’

He said: ‘Then tell me about Ihsaan.’

He said: ‘It is to worship Allaah as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, then He sees you.’

He said: ‘Tell me about the Hour.’

He said: ‘The one asked knows no more than the questioner.’

He said: ‘Then tell me about its signs.’

He said: ‘That the slave-woman gives birth to her mistress, and that you see the barefoot, naked, destitute shepherds competing in building tall buildings.’

Then he left.

After a while, the Prophet, sallaa-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:

‘O ‘Umar, do you know who the questioner was?’

I said: ‘Allaah and His Messenger know best.’

He said: ‘That was Jibreel. He came to teach you your religion.’

Key Lesson from the Hadeeth

The religion of Islaam has levels, and the greatest hadeeth explaining them is the long Hadeeth of Jibreel. This single narration clearly explains:

• Islaam
• Eemaan
• Ihsaan

In it, Jibreel, ‘alayhi as-Salaam, came in human form and questioned the Prophet, sallaa-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in front of the Companions about Islaam, Eemaan, Ihsaan, the Hour, and its signs.

After he left, the Prophet, sallaa-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:

“That was Jibreel. He came to teach you your religion”.

This shows that these three levels together constitute the religion of Islaam.

Who Narrated the Hadeeth of Jibreel?

This hadeeth was narrated by several Companions, including:

• ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him. Narrated by Muslim.
• Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaary and Muslim.

It was also narrated by other Companions outside the two Saheehs, such as:

Abu Tharr, Ibn ‘Umar, Anas bnu Maalik, Jareer ibn ‘Abdillaah, Ibn ‘Abbaas, and others.

Because of its importance:

• Al-Imaam Muslim began his Saheeh with this hadeeth
• Al-Imaam an-Nawawi placed it second in his Forty Hadeeth
• Al-Baghawi did the same in Masaabeeh as-Sunnah

This confirms its great status among the scholars.