ISLAM, IMAAN & IHSAN

On the authority of 'Umar (r.a), who said: 

"While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah (saw), there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet (pbuh) rested his knee against his thighs, and said, “O Muhammad (pbuh) Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) answered, "Islam is that you should;

i)       Testify that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger, 

ii)     Perform Salaah (ritual prayer),

iii)   Pay Zakaah,

iv)   Fast during Ramadan, and 

v)     Perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)”. 

He (the man) said, "You have spoken truly”. We were amazed as the man questioned and he himself said it is right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about Imaan (faith)”. He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you should;

i)       Believe in Allah

ii)     His angels

iii)   His Books

iv)   His Messengers

v)     Last Day, and

vi)   In fate (Qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects”.

He said, "You have spoken truly”. Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan".  He (pbuh) answered, 

"It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you”.

The hadeeth continues…..

I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Umar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He (pbuh) said, "That was Jibreel. He came to teach you your religion. 

[Muslim, Book no: 01, Hadeeth no: 01]