378 — Al-Firyābī informed us, saying: Abū Abd Allāh Muhammad ibn Abī Bakr al-Muqaddamī narrated to us, saying: Muʿādh ibn Muʿādh narrated to us, saying: Kahmas ibn al-Hasan narrated to us, from Abd Allāh ibn Burayda, from Yahyā ibn Yaʿmar, who said:

“The first person to speak about the divine decree in Basra was Maʿbad al-Juhanī. Humayd ibn Abd al-Rahmān and I therefore set out and met Abd Allāh ibn ʿUmar. We said, ‘Some people have appeared among us who recite the Quran and seek knowledge, yet they claim that there is no divine decree and that events arise anew, without prior predestination.’

“He said, ‘When you meet those people, tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. By the One by whom Ibn ʿUmar swears, if one of them possessed gold equal to Mount Uhud and spent it all, Allah Most High would not accept it from him until he believed in the divine decree, both its good and its evil.’

“Then he said: My father ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated to me, saying:

“‘While we were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), a man suddenly appeared before us whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black. No trace of travel could be seen upon him. He sat before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), rested his knee against his knee, and placed his palms upon his thighs. He said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” ⦗798⦘

“‘The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) 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, pay the zakat, fast Ramadan, and make pilgrimage to the House if you are able to find a way to it.”

“‘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 then said, “Tell me about faith.” He replied, “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in the divine decree, both its good and its evil.” He said, “You have spoken the truth.” He then said, “Tell me about spiritual excellence.” He replied, “It is to worship Allah as though you see Him; for though you do not see Him, He sees you.”

“‘The man then departed, and we remained for some time. The Prophet then said to me, “O ʿUmar, 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 the matters of your religion.”’”

379 — Al-Firyābī also narrated to us by dictation, saying: Ishāq ibn Rāhawayh narrated to us, saying: Al-Nadr ibn Shumayl informed us, saying: Kahmas ibn al-Hasan narrated to us, saying: Abd Allāh ibn Burayda narrated to us, from Yahyā ibn Yaʿmar. He recounted the hadith in full, as far as the words: “He said, ‘It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in the divine decree, both its good and its evil.’ He said, ‘You have spoken the truth.’” He then recounted the remainder of the hadith.