And we shall set out what may be learned from the words of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—together with what may be learned from the words of Allah Most High, so that the believer may arrive at this understanding directly from the words of Allah and His Messenger, for this is the objective. We shall therefore not begin by discussing people’s disagreements. Rather, while explaining what may be learned from the words of Allah and His Messenger, we shall mention those disagreements insofar as they demonstrate that referring disputed matters to Allah and the Messenger is better, affords a better resolution, and leads to a better outcome in this world and the Hereafter.

We say:

In the hadith of Gabriel, peace be upon him, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—distinguished between what is meant by “Islam,” “faith,” and “excellence.” He said:

“Islam is that you testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish prayer, give zakat, fast Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to make the journey.”

And he said:

“Faith is that you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and that you believe in divine decree, both its good and its evil.”

This distinction is mentioned in the hadith of Umar recorded by Muslim alone, and in the hadith of Abū Hurayrah recorded by both al-Bukhārī and Muslim. Both relate that Gabriel came to him in the form of a Bedouin man and questioned him. The hadith of Umar states that he came to him in the form of a Bedouin.

He likewise explained “Islam” in the well-known hadith of Ibn Umar, saying:

“Islam is built upon five: testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, establishing prayer, giving zakat, performing pilgrimage to the House, and fasting Ramadan.”

The hadith of Gabriel makes clear that “Islam, which is built upon five,” is Islam itself