Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 15327 — Those who ordered the teaching

Ibn Buraydah said: We came to Madinah and went to Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), and he said: We were in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when a man with fine clothes, a pleasant fragrance and a handsome face came to him and said: "Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah." He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "And upon you." He said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), may I come close to you?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Come close." So he came a little closer to him. We said (to ourselves): We have never seen, as we have today, a man with finer clothes, a better fragrance or a more handsome face, nor one who showed more reverence to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Then he said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), may I come close to you?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Yes." So he came a little closer, and we thought the same again. Then he said a third time: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), may I come close to you?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Yes." He came so close to him that his knees touched the blessed knees of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is Islam?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Establishing the prayer, giving the zakah, fasting in Ramadan, performing Hajj, and taking the ritual bath (ghusl) after major impurity." He said: "You (peace and blessings be upon him) have spoken the truth." We said: By Allah, we have never seen a man like him as we did today; it is as if he is teaching the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) (or as if he (peace and blessings be upon him) is teaching him).