Yahya bin Yamar said:

The first person to say something against fate (Qadr) in the city of Basra was Mabad Al Juhani. So Humaid bin Abdurahmaan Al Himyari and I left as pilgrims for Hajj or Umrah and we said: “If we meet anyone from the companions of the Messenger, may Allah send upon him blessings and peace, we will ask him regarding what these people say against fate (Qadr)”.

Thus we had the good fortune of coming across Abdullah bin Umar bin Khattaab in the mosque. So my companion and I surrounded him, one of us on his right and the other on his left. I knew that my companion would depute the speaking to me so I said: “Abu Abdirahmaan! A people have appeared before us who recite the Quraan and seek the fine points of Knowledge”. And he mentioned some of their traits. “And they believe that there is no fate (Qadr) and that things are instant.” He (Abdullah bin Umar bin Khattaab) said: “When you meet them inform them that I have no association with them and that they have no association with me. And by the one on whom Abdullah bin Umar swears, if one of them had the equivalent to mount Uhud in gold and was to spend it (for Allah), Allah would not accept it from him until he believes in Fate (Qadr)”.

Then he said: My father Umar bin Khattaab related to me. He said: One day while we were by the Messenger of Allah, may Allah send upon him blessings and peace, a man of extremely white clothes and extremely black hair emerged before us. The signs of travel could not be seen on him, nor did any of us recognise him. (He came) until he sat by the prophet, may Allah send upon him blessings and peace. He rested his knees in front of his, and placed his hands upon his thighs and said:

“Muhammad! Tell me about submission (Islaam)”. So the messenger of Allah, may Allah send upon him blessings and peace, said: “Islaam is that you testify that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, may Allah send upon him blessings and peace. And that you establish the prayer (Salaah), Give charity (Zakaah), fast in the month of Ramadhaan, and undertake the pilgrimage (Hajj) to the house (of Allah) if you are capable of finding your way there.” Physically or financially. He (the man) said: “You have said the truth”. He (Umar bin Khattaab) said: We were astonished at him. He asks him and ratifies him!

He (the man) said: “Tell me about belief (Imaan)”. He said: “It is that you believe in Allah, his Angels, his books, his messengers, the last day, and that you believe in fate (Qadr), its good and its bad”. He (the man) said: “You have said the truth”.

He (the man) said: “Tell me about righteousness (Ihssan)”. He said: “It is that you worship Allah as if you see him, and if you are unable to see him, then he surely sees you”. It is not possible to see Allah. The messenger of Allah, may Allah send upon him blessings and peace, is only portraying the highest level of concentration and devotion in prayer by using these words.

He (the man) said: “Tell me about the hour (Saauh)”. He said: “The one questioned about it does not know more than the questioner”. He (the man) said: “So inform me of its signs”. He said: “Of it is that a slave woman will give birth to her master. And you will see the bare foot, naked, destitute shepherds vying in constructing tall buildings”.

He (Umar bin Khattaab) said: Then he went and I remained a while. Then He (the messenger, may Allah send upon him blessings and peace) said to me: “Umar! Do you know who the questioner was?” I said: Allah and his messenger know best. He said: “He was (the angel) Jibraeel. He came to you to teach you your religion (Deen)”.

Muslim:93