Reconciling Two Definitions of Faith in Hadith Jibril and Hadith of the Delegation of ‘Abd al-Qays Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Faith as Defined in Hadith Jibrīl
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ defined faith in the well-known Hadith of Jibrīl (ʿalayhis-salām) as follows:
"Al-Īmān is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in divine decree—its good and its evil."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Faith, Hadith: 50; Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith: 8)
Faith as Defined in the Hadith of the Delegation of ʿAbd al-Qays
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ explained faith to the delegation of ʿAbd al-Qays as:
"To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner; to establish prayer; to pay zakat; and to give one-fifth (khums) of war booty."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Faith, Hadith: 53; Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith: 17)
Clarifying the Reconciliation
❖ No Contradiction in the Qur'an and Sunnah
◈ First, it is essential to understand that there is no contradiction in the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah.
◈ Neither do verses of the Qur'an contradict each other, nor do authentic Prophetic narrations contain any real conflict.
◈ Both divine revelation and actual events are truth—and truth cannot contradict truth.
﴿أَفَلا يَتَدَبَّرونَ القُرءانَ وَلَو كانَ مِن عِندِ غَيرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدوا فيهِ اختِلـفًا كَثيرًا﴾
(Surah al-Nisāʾ, 4:82)
Translation:
"Do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah, they would have found much contradiction in it."
The Relationship Between Īmān and Islām
◈ In Hadith Jibrīl:
Dīn (religion) is presented in three levels:
① Islām (submission)
② Īmān (faith)
③ Iḥsān (excellence)
◈ In the Hadith of ʿAbd al-Qays:
The Prophet ﷺ listed practical acts of Islam and referred to them as faith (Īmān).
Understanding the Harmony Between the Two Definitions
✔ When only "Islam" is mentioned, it encompasses faith (Īmān) as well.
✔ When only "faith" is mentioned, it includes Islamic actions too.
✔ When both terms are mentioned together, then:
◈ Īmān refers to internal belief in the heart.
◈ Islām refers to external acts performed by the limbs.
Further Explanation
◈ Īmān: Certainty and affirmation in the heart.
◈ Islām: Visible actions such as prayer, fasting, zakat, etc.
◈ Therefore, Islam is apparent, while Īmān is hidden.
A hypocrite (munāfiq) may pray, give zakat, and fast—appearing to be a Muslim outwardly—but he does not truly believe in his heart.﴿وَمِنَ النّاسِ مَن يَقولُ ءامَنّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِاليَومِ الءاخِرِ وَما هُم بِمُؤمِنينَ﴾
(Surah al-Baqarah)
Translation:
"Among the people are those who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' but they are not truly believers."
The Comprehensive Nature of Dīn al-Islām
﴿إِنَّ الدّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الإِسلـمُ﴾
(Surah Āl-ʿImrān, 3:19)
Translation:
"Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam."
◈ Dīn al-Islām includes beliefs, faith, and legal rulings—a complete system of creed and practice.
Summary of Reconciliation
✔ In Hadith Jibrīl, the foundational beliefs of Īmān are described.
✔ In the Hadith of ʿAbd al-Qays, the practical manifestations of Īmān are outlined.
✔ Both Hadiths are complete and authentic in their respective contexts and do not conflict with each other.
❝ Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb ❞
(This is what I know; and Allah knows best what is right.)
