Fath al-Rabbani

Yahya bin Ya’mar, may Allah have mercy on him, and Humaid Himyari, may Allah have mercy on him, say: We met Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, and discussed the topic of predestination (Qadr) and also mentioned the views of the people. He said to us: When you return to those people, say to them three times that Ibn Umar is free from you and you are free from him. Then he said: Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated to me that he was sitting with the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when suddenly a man came walking. He had a beautiful face and beautiful hair, and he was wearing white clothes. The people looked at each other and said that neither do we know this man nor does he look like a traveler. Then he said: “O Messenger of Allah! May I come to you?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Yes.” So he came and placed his knees next to the knees of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and placed his hands on the thighs of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Then he said: “O Messenger of Allah! Tell me what is faith (iman)?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Faith is that you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in predestination (Qadr), its good and its evil.” He said: “What is Islam?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “To establish prayer, to give zakat, to perform Hajj of the House of Allah, to fast in Ramadan, and to perform the ritual bath of janabah is Islam.” He said: “O Messenger of Allah! Tell me about ihsan.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Ihsan is that you worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then (know that) He sees you.” He said: “Well, now tell me about the Hour (Day of Judgment).” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The one being questioned knows no more about it than the questioner.” Then he left. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Bring that man to me.” The people went out to look for him, but they saw nothing. Then they waited for two or three days. Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O Ibn Khattab! Do you know who the one was who asked about such and such things?” He said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “That was Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be upon him, who came to teach you your religion.” Then a man from the tribe of Juhaynah or Muzaynah asked: “O Messenger of Allah! According to what are we acting? Is it according to what has already passed, or according to something new?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “According to what has already passed.” That man or someone else said: “O Messenger of Allah! Then what is the point of action?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The actions of the people of Paradise are made easy for those destined for Paradise, and the actions of the people of Hell are made easy for those destined for Hell.” Yahya said: It is exactly as you have narrated to me.