Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Al-Ghaashiyah -> The Story of Dimam bin Tha`labah

These are the things Dimam swore by after questioning the Messenger of Allah . This can be seen in what Imam Ahmad recorded from Thabit, who reported that Anas said, "We were prohibited from asking the Messenger of Allah anything. Thus, it used to amaze us when an intelligent man from the people of the desert (bedouin Arabs) would come and ask him about something while we were listening. So a man from the people of the desert came and said, `O Muhammad! Verily, your messenger has come to us and he claims that you claim that Allah sent you.' He (the Prophet) said,

«صَدَق»

(He told the truth.) The man said, Who created the heaven؟ He (the Prophet ) replied,

«الله»

,(Alla0h.) The man said, Who created the earth؟ He (the Prophet ) replied,

«الله»

,(Alla0h). The man said, `Who erected these mountains and placed in them whatever is in them' He (the Prophet ) replied, ا,(Allah). Then the man said, `By the One Who created the heaven, the earth, and erected these mountains, did Allah send you' He (the Prophet ) said,

«نَعَم»

(Yes.) The man then said, `Your messenger claims that we are obligated to pray five prayers during our day and night.' He (the Prophet ) said,

«صَدَق»

(He told the truth.) The man then said, `By He Who has sent you, did Allah command you with this' He (the Prophet ) replied,

«نَعَم»

(Yes.) The man then said, `Your messenger also claims that we are obligated to give charity from our wealth.' He (the Prophet ) said,

«صَدَق»

(He told the truth.) Then the man said, `By He Who has sent you, did Allah command you with this' He (the Prophet ) replied,

«نَعَم»

(Yes.) The man then said, `Your messenger claims that we are obligated to perform pilgrimage (Hajj) to the House (the Ka`bah), for whoever is able to find a way there.' He (the Prophet ) said,

«صَدَق»

(He told the truth.) Then the man turned away to leave while saying, `By He Who has sent you with the truth, I will not add anything to these things and I will not decrease anything from them.' The Prophet then said,

«إِنْ صَدَقَ لَيَدْخُلَنَّ الْجَنَّة»

(If he has spoken truthfully, he will certainly enter Paradise.) This Hadith was recorded by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah.