205 — Abū Bakr Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Firyābī narrated to us. He said: ⦗569⦘ Ishāq ibn Rāhawayh narrated to us. He said: al-Nadr ibn Shumayl narrated to us. He said: Kahmas ibn al-Hasan narrated to us. He said: Abd Allah ibn Burayda narrated to us, from Yahyā ibn Yamar, from Abd Allah ibn Umar, who said: Umar ibn al-Khattāb—may Allah be pleased with him—narrated to me, saying:

“While we were with the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—a man suddenly appeared before us. His clothes were exceedingly white and his hair exceedingly black, yet none of us recognized him. He sat before the Prophet of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—rested his knee against his, and placed his palms upon his thighs. He then said, ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islam. What is Islam?’

“He replied, ‘It is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; to establish the prayer, give zakat, fast Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to make your way there.’

“He said, ‘You have spoken the truth.’ We were amazed that he would question him and then affirm that he had spoken the truth.

“He said ⦗570⦘, ‘Then tell me about faith.’

“He replied, ‘It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day, and the divine decree—both its good and its evil.’

“He said, ‘You have spoken the truth. Now tell me about excellence.’

“He replied, ‘It is to worship Allah as though you see Him; for although you do not see Him, He sees you.’

“He said, ‘Then tell me about the Hour.’

“He replied, ‘The one questioned about it knows no more than the questioner.’”

Umar said, “I remained for some time. Then the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to me, ‘O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?’

“I replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’

“He said, ‘That was Gabriel. He came to teach you about your religion.’”