Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that one day the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting among the people when a man came to him and began to ask: “What is faith (iman)?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “Faith is that you believe in the existence and oneness of Allah the Exalted, and in the existence of His angels, and in the truth of meeting Him (Allah), and in the truth of His messengers, and in resurrection after death.” Then he asked: “What is Islam?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “Islam is that you worship Allah alone sincerely and do not associate anyone with Him, establish prayer, pay the obligatory zakat, and fast in Ramadan.” Then he asked about ihsan (excellence). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Ihsan is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him; and if you do not achieve this state, then (know that) He is seeing you.” Then he asked: “When will the Hour (Day of Judgment) come?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “The one being questioned knows no more about it than the questioner. (However), I can tell you its signs: when a slave woman gives birth to her master, and when the barefoot, naked, destitute shepherds (Bedouins) compete with one another in constructing tall buildings. (Remember) the knowledge of the Hour is among five things which none knows except Allah.” Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited this verse: “Verily, with Allah alone is the knowledge of the Hour, as to when it will be.” (up to the end of the verse) Then the questioner turned and left. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Bring him back to me.” The people rushed but saw no trace of him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “That was Jibreel (Gabriel), who came to teach the people their religion.”