“Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.” [Al-Baqarah 2:3]

God says: “Those who believe in the unseen.”

Ibn Jarir narrated from Qatada regarding “a guidance for the righteous” [Al-Baqarah 2:2], saying that God described them as “those who believe in the unseen.”

Ibn Ishaq and Ibn Jarir narrated from Ibn Abbas about the phrase “those who believe,” explaining it means they truly accept. Regarding “in the unseen,” he said it means believing in what comes from Allah.

Ibn Jarir also narrated from Ibn Mas’ud about “those who believe in the unseen,” saying these were the believers among the Arabs. Faith means sincere belief, and the unseen refers to matters hidden from people like Paradise and Hellfire, things mentioned by Allah in the Quran, which do not come from their own scripture or knowledge.

Regarding “and those who believe in what has been revealed to you,” [Al-Baqarah 2:4] this refers to the believers from the People of the Book. Then it combines both groups, saying, “Those are on [right] guidance.” [Al-Baqarah 2:5]

Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim reported from Abu Al-Aliyah that believing in the unseen means believing in Allah, His angels, His messengers, the Last Day, Paradise, Hellfire, meeting Allah, and life after death.

Abd ibn Humayd and Ibn Jarir narrated from Qatada that “those who believe in the unseen” are those who believe in resurrection after death, accountability, Paradise, Hellfire, and they confirm the promise Allah made in the Quran.

At-Tustari narrated from Ibn Abbas that Nafi’ ibn Al-Azraq was asked about “those who believe in the unseen,” saying it refers to believing in the matters of Paradise and Hellfire hidden from them. When asked if the Arabs knew this, he said yes. He mentioned Abu Sufyan ibn Al-Harith saying, “We believed in the unseen, though our people used to worship idols before Muhammad.”

Ibn Abi Hatim, Al-Tabarani, Ibn Minda, and Abu Nu’aym narrated from Twailah bint Aslam who said: “I prayed Zuhr or Asr in the mosque of Bani Haritha, facing the mosque of Elijah. We prayed two prostrations, then someone came to tell us the Messenger of Allah ﷺ faced the Kaaba. The men and women switched places, so we prayed the remaining two prostrations facing the Kaaba. When the Prophet ﷺ heard this, he said: ‘Those are people who have believed in the unseen.'”

Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah, Sa‘id ibn Mansur, Ahmad ibn Mani‘, Ibn Abi Hatim, Ibn Al-Anbari, Al-Hakim (who authenticated the narration), and Ibn Mardawayh narrated from Al-Harith ibn Qays that he said to Ibn Mas‘ud: “We consider what you had with the Prophet ﷺ as a privilege.” Ibn Mas‘ud replied: “We consider your faith in Muhammad ﷺ, without seeing him, a privilege. Muhammad’s matter was among us for those who saw him. By Allah, no one’s faith is better than belief in the unseen.” Then he recited the beginning verses of Al-Baqarah from “Alif Lam Mim” [2:1] to “…successful are they” [2:5].

Al-Bazzar, Abu Ya‘la, Al-Murhibi in “Virtue of Knowledge,” and Al-Hakim (who authenticated it) narrated from Umar ibn Al-Khattab: The Prophet ﷺ asked his companions who had the strongest faith. They said: angels. He said that was right since they are with their Lord. They said then the prophets, and he said yes, because they receive revelation. Then they said us. He said yes, but the most amazing faith is of people who will come after me, believe in me without seeing me, and follow what is written in the tablets; those are the ones with the strongest faith.

Al-Hasan ibn ‘Arafa, Al-Bayhaqi in “Ad-Dala’il,” and Al-Asbhani in “At-Targhib” narrated from Amr ibn Shu’ayb from his father, from his grandfather that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Who among creation amazes you most in faith?” They said: The angels. He said, why not, they believe being close to their Lord. They said: The prophets. He said, they believe with revelation coming to them. They said: We. He said, why don’t you believe? I am among you. But the most amazing faith is of those who come after you, find scriptures and believe in what’s in them.

At-Tabarani narrated from Ibn Abbas that one day the Prophet ﷺ asked, “Is there any water?” They said no. He then asked for ‘Shann’ water. It was brought and he put his hand over it, spread his fingers, and water gushed like Moses’ staff from between his fingers. He told Bilal to call people for ablution, and they took ablution from between his fingers. Ibn Mas’ud was eager to drink. After ablution, the Prophet prayed Fajr with them, then addressed the people: “Who among creation amazes you most in faith?” They said angels. He said: How would angels not believe when they witness the command? They said prophets. He said: How would prophets not believe when revelation descends from heaven upon them? They said: Your companions. He said: How would my companions not believe when they see what they see? But the most amazing faith is of those who come after me, believe in me without seeing me, and confirm me without seeing me. They are my brothers.

Al-Isma’ili narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said: “What amazes you most in faith?” They said angels. He said, how could it not be, when they see what you cannot see from God? They said prophets. He said how not, they receive revelation? They said us. He said, how could you not believe when the revelations are recited to you, and your messenger is among you? But there are people coming after me who believe in me without seeing me; they are the most amazed in faith, and they are my brothers, while you are my companions.

Al-Bazzar narrated from Anas that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Who among creation amazes you most in faith?” They said angels, he said, “yes, how can they not believe!” They said prophets, he said, “yes, because revelation is sent to them.” But the most amazed in faith are people who come after you and find a scripture from revelation. They believe it and follow it. They are the most amazed in faith.

Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated from ‘Awf ibn Malik that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I wish I could meet my brothers.” They said: Aren’t we your brothers and companions? He said, “Yes, but my brothers are those who will come after you, believe in me like you do, confirm me like you do, support me like you do. I wish I could meet my brothers.”

Ibn Asakir narrated in “Al-Arba‘in As-Sab‘iyyah” through the unreliable Abu Hudbah from Anas that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I wish I could meet my brothers.” A man asked, “Aren’t we your brothers?” He replied, “You are my companions, but my brothers are those who will come after me, believe in me without seeing me.” Then he recited: “Those who believe in the unseen and establish prayer.” [Al-Baqarah 2:3]

Ahmad, Ad-Darimi, Al-Bawardi, Ibn Qani‘, At-Tabarani, and Al-Hakim narrated from Abi Jum‘ah Al-Ansari that people said to the Prophet ﷺ: “Is there any people greater than us in reward? We believed in you and followed you.” He said: “What stops you when the Messenger of Allah is among you, and the revelation reaches you from the sky? No, but there will be people who come after you. They will receive the book between two covers and believe in it and act upon it. They are greater in reward than you.”

Ibn Abi Shaybah, Ibn Abi ‘Umar, Ahmad, and Al-Hakim narrated from Abi Abdur-Rahman Al-Juhani: While we were with the Prophet ﷺ, two riders came, and the Prophet asked about their tribe. When two men from Mudhij came, one approached the Prophet to pledge allegiance, saying: “O Messenger of Allah, what about someone who saw you, believed in you, followed you, and confirmed your truth? What is their position?” He said: “Blessed is he.” Then he shook his hand and left. The other came and pledged with the same question but said, “What about someone who believed in you, confirmed you, followed you, but never saw you?” The Prophet said: “Blessed is he, blessed is he,” then he shook his hand and left.

Al-Tayalisi, Ahmad, Al-Bukhari in his history, At-Tabarani, and Al-Hakim narrated from Abi Umamah Al-Bahili that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Blessed is he who saw me and believed in me, and blessed is he who believed in me but did not see me,” seven times.

Ahmad and Ibn Hibban narrated from Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri that the Prophet ﷺ said: “A man said: O Messenger of Allah, blessed is he who saw you and believed in you. He said: Blessed is he who saw me and believed in me, and blessed, then blessed, then blessed is he who believed in me without seeing me.”

At-Tayalisi and Abd ibn Humayd narrated from Nafi‘ that a man asked Ibn ‘Umar: “Did you see the Messenger of Allah with your own eyes?” He said yes. “Did you speak to him?” Yes. “Did you pledge allegiance to him?” Yes. The man said: “Blessed are you.” Ibn ‘Umar said: “Shall I tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allah? He said, ‘Blessed are those who saw me and believed in me, and blessed are those who believed in me without seeing me,’ three times.”

Ahmad, Abu Ya‘la, At-Tabarani narrated from Anas that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Blessed is he who saw me and believed in me, and blessed is he who believed in me without seeing me,” seven times.

Al-Hakim narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There will be people from my nation who come after me; one of them would wish to buy the chance to see me with his family and wealth.”

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Regarding “and establish prayer,” [Al-Baqarah 2:3]

Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, and Ibn Ishaq narrated from Ibn Abbas about “establish prayer,” saying it refers to the five daily prayers. “And spend out of what We have provided for them” means they give zakat from their wealth.

Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Jarir, and Ibn Abi Hatim narrated from Ibn Abbas explaining “establish prayer” means performing the prayers as obligations, and “spending out of what We have provided” refers to giving zakat sincerely.

Ibn Jarir narrated from Ibn Abbas that establishing prayer means completing the bowing, prostration, recitation, devotion, and focusing on it.

Abd ibn Humayd narrated from Qatada that “establishing prayer” means being consistent in observing the prayer times, making ablution, bowing, and prostrating properly. “Spending out of what We have provided” means spending in the commands of Allah, which He has made obligatory, in His obedience and way.

Ibn Mundhir narrated from Sa‘id ibn Jubayr that “and spend out of what We have provided” refers specifically to zakat, excluding other expenses. When prayer is mentioned alone without zakat, it says “and spend out of what We have provided.”

Ibn Jarir narrated from Ibn Mas‘ud that “spending out of what We have provided” also means the man spending on his family.

Ibn Jarir narrated from Ad-Dahhak that “spending out of what We have provided” used to mean voluntary charity deeds done to get closer to Allah, based on what one could afford, until the zakat obligations were revealed in Surah Bara’ah, which abrogated and clarified the earlier practice.”