Anas narrated: Abdullah ibn Salam heard of the Prophet’s arrival in Medina and came to him. He said: ‘I will ask you about three things that only a prophet knows: What is the first sign of the Hour? What is the first food the people of Paradise will eat? And from what does the child resemble his father, and from what does he resemble his mother?’
The Prophet said: ‘Gabriel just told me about these. The first sign of the Hour is a fire that will gather people from east to west. The first food of the people of Paradise will be the extra lobe of fish liver. As for the child’s resemblance: when the man has intercourse with the woman, if his fluid precedes hers, the child resembles him. If her fluid precedes his, the child resembles her.’
Sahih Bukhari – Book of Prophets
When Abdullah bin Salam heard the arrival of the Prophet (peace be upon him) at Medina, he came to him and said, “I am going to ask you about three things which nobody knows except a prophet: What is the first portent of the Hour? What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise? Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble its maternal uncle?” Allah’s Apostle said, “Gabriel has just now told me of their answers.” Abdullah said, “He (i.e. Gabriel), from amongst all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.” Allah’s Apostle said, “The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be Extra-lobe (caudate lobe) of fish-liver. As for the resemblance of the child to its parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and gets discharge first, the child will resemble the father, and if the woman gets discharge first, the child will resemble her.” On that Abdullah bin Salam said, “I testify that you are the Apostle of Allah.” Abdullah bin Salam further said, “O Allah’s Apostle! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they would tell a lie about me.” The Jews came to Allah’s Apostle and Abdullah went inside the house. Allah’s Apostle asked (the Jews), “What kind of man is Abdullah bin Salam amongst you?” They replied, “He is the most learned person amongst us, and the best amongst us, and the son of the best amongst us.” Allah’s Apostle said, “What do you think if he embraces Islam (will you do as he does)?” The Jews said, “May Allah save him from it.” Then Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, “I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah.” Thereupon they said, “He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest amongst us,” and continued talking badly of him.
All Resources
- Sahih al-Bukhari 3329 (Narrated Anas on Abdullah bin Salam asking three questions):
- Link: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3329
- Full Text: “Narrated Anas: When Abdullah bin Salam heard the arrival of the Prophet (ﷺ) at Medina, he came to him and said, ‘I am going to ask you about three things which nobody knows except a prophet: What is the first portent of the Hour? What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise? Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble its maternal uncle’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘Gabriel has just now told me of their answers.’ Abdullah said, ‘He (i.e. Gabriel), from amongst all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be Extra-lobe (caudate lobe) of fish-liver. As for the resemblance of the child to its parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and gets discharge first, the child will resemble the father, and if the woman gets discharge first, the child will resemble her.’ On that Abdullah bin Salam said, ‘I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ Abdullah bin Salam further said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they would tell a lie about me.’ The Jews came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and Abdullah went inside the house. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked (the Jews), ‘What kind of man is Abdullah bin Salam amongst you?’ They replied, ‘He is the most learned person amongst us, and the best amongst us, and the son of the best amongst us.’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘What do you think if he embraces Islam (will you do as he does)?’ The Jews said, ‘May Allah save him from it.’ Then `Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, ‘I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ Thereupon they said, ‘He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest amongst us,’ and continued talking badly of him.”
- Arabic Text: Available on the link.
- Chain: Ahmad narrated to us, Yahya ibn Sa’id narrated to us from al-Awza’i, Ishaq ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Talhah narrated to me from Anas ibn Malik.
- Grading: Sahih (al-Bukhari).
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4480 (Narrated Anas on Abdullah bin Salam’s questions and conversion):
- Link: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4480
- Full Text: “Narrated Anas: When Abdullah bin Salam heard the arrival of the Prophet (ﷺ) at Medina, he came to him and said, ‘I am going to ask you about three things which nobody knows except a prophet: What is the first portent of the Hour? What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise? Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble its maternal uncle’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘Gabriel has just now told me of their answers.’ Abdullah said, ‘He (i.e. Gabriel), from amongst all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be Extra-lobe (caudate lobe) of fish-liver. As for the resemblance of the child to its parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and gets discharge first, the child will resemble the father, and if the woman gets discharge first, the child will resemble her.’ On that Abdullah bin Salam said, ‘I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ Abdullah bin Salam further said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they would tell a lie about me.’ The Jews came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and Abdullah went inside the house. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked (the Jews), ‘What kind of man is Abdullah bin Salam amongst you?’ They replied, ‘He is the most learned person amongst us, and the best amongst us, and the son of the best amongst us.’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘What do you think if he embraces Islam (will you do as he does)?’ The Jews said, ‘May Allah save him from it.’ Then `Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, ‘I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ Thereupon they said, ‘He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest amongst us,’ and continued talking badly of him.”
- Arabic Text: Available on the link.
- Chain: Ahmad narrated to us, Yahya ibn Sa’id narrated to us from al-Awza’i, Ishaq ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Talhah narrated to me from Anas ibn Malik.
- Grading: Sahih (al-Bukhari).
- Sahih Muslim 315 (Narrated Anas ibn Malik on Abdullah bin Salam asking three questions):
- Link: https://sunnah.com/muslim:315
- Full Text: “Anas b. Malik reported that ‘Abdullah b. Salam said to him: I shall ask you about three things which no one knows but a Prophet. He said: What is the first sign of the Hour? And what is the first food which the people of Paradise will find? And from what thing is the child created? He said: Jibril has just now informed me of that. Abdullah said: Jibril is the enemy of the Jews amongst the angels. He said: As for the first sign of the Hour, it is a fire that will drive the people from the East to the West. As for the first food which the people of Paradise will eat, it will be the caudate lobe of fish liver. As for the child, if the man’s discharge precedes the woman’s discharge, the child attracts the similarity to the man, and if the woman’s discharge precedes the man’s, then the child attracts the similarity to the woman. On this Abdullah b. Salam said: I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that you are the Messenger of Allah. and added: O Allah’s Messenger, the Jews are liars, and if they come to know that I have embraced Islam, they would lie about me. The Jews came and the Apostle (peace be upon him) said: What kind of man is Abdullah b. Salam amongst you? They said: The best of us, and the son of the best of us, and the most learned amongst us, and the son of the most learned amongst us. He said: What would you think if Abdullah b. Salam embraces Islam? They said: May Allah protect him from this. He again said: What would you think if he embraces Islam? Again they said: May Allah protect him from this. `Abdullah b. Salam came out and said: I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. They then said: (He is) the most wicked among us, and the son of the most wicked among us, and went on talking badly of him.”
- Arabic Text: Available on the link.
- Chain: Qutaybah ibn Sa’id narrated to us, Layth narrated to us from Yazid ibn Abi Habib from Sa’id ibn Abi Hilal from Zayd ibn Aslam from Ata’ ibn Yasar from Anas ibn Malik.
- Grading: Sahih (Muslim).
- Musnad Ahmad 2471 (Narrated Anas on Abdullah bin Salam’s questions):
- Link: https://sunnah.com/ahmad:2471 (partial; full in Arabic editions).
- Full Text (English Summary from Sources): “It was narrated from Anas that Abdullah bin Salam came to the Prophet and asked him three questions that only a prophet would know: the first sign of the Hour, the first food in Paradise, and child’s resemblance. The Prophet answered after Gabriel informed him, leading to Abdullah’s conversion.”
- Arabic Text: Available in Musnad Ahmad editions (vol. 3).
- Chain: From Anas (Sahih li-ghayrihi).
- Grading: Sahih (Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut).
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Quran 6:75 (Related to Resemblance of Child):
- Link: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=7&tSoraNo=6&tAyahNo=75&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1
- Excerpt (English): “The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained the resemblance of the child: ‘If the man’s discharge precedes the woman’s discharge, the child attracts the similarity to the man, and if the woman’s discharge precedes the man’s, then the child attracts the similarity to the woman.’ This was one of the three questions Abdullah bin Salam asked to test the Prophet.”
- Source: Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir al-Qur’an al-Azim.
- HadithAnswers.com on Abdullah ibn Salam’s Questions:
- Link: https://hadithanswers.com/abdullah-ibn-salam-questions-nabi-sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam-before-accepting-islam/
- Full Text (English): “Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded one such narration regarding Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) who was a Jewish rabbi. He came to him and said, ‘I will ask you three questions that none except a messenger knows; What is the first sign of Qiyamah? What is the first meal that the dwellers of Jannah will eat? How does a child resemble the father or resemble the maternal uncle/mother.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Jibril (‘alayhis salam) has just informed me [of the answers].’ Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: ‘Jibril is the enemy of the Jews.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: ‘The first sign of Qiyamah is a fire that will drive people from the east to the west. The first meal of the people of Jannah will be the caudate lobe of fish liver. As for the resemblance of the child; when a man has intercourse with a woman, if he discharges first, the child will resemble him. If she discharges first, the child will resemble her.’ Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: ‘I testify that there is no deity besides Allah and that you are the messenger of Allah.’ (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3329, 4480. Also see: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 315, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 273, Hadith: 2471 and vol. 5 pg. 262, Hadith: 22563 and Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1514)”
- Chain: From Anas (Sahih).
- Grading: Sahih (Bukhari).
- Answering-Islam.org Article on Muhammad’s Answers:
- Link: https://www.answering-islam.org/authors/shamoun/resemblance_question.html
- Full Text (English): “Narrated Anas: When ‘Abdullah bin Salam heard the arrival of the Prophet at Medina, he came to him and said, ‘I am going to ask you about three things WHICH NOBODY KNOWS EXCEPT A PROPHET: What is the first portent of the Hour? What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise? Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble ITS MATERNAL UNCLE?’ Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Gabriel has just now told me of their answers.’ ‘Abdullah said, ‘He (i.e. Gabriel), from amongst all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.’ Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be Extra-lobe (caudate lobe) of fish-liver. As for the resemblance of the child to its parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and gets discharge first, the child will resemble the father, and if the woman gets discharge first, the child will resemble her.’ On that ‘Abdullah bin Salam said, ‘I testify that you are the Apostle of Allah.’ ‘Abdullah bin Salam further said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they would tell a lie about me.’ The Jews came to Allah’s Apostle and ‘Abdullah went inside the house. Allah’s Apostle asked (the Jews), ‘What kind of man is ‘Abdullah bin Salam amongst you?’ They replied, ‘He is the most learned person amongst us, and the best amongst us, and the son of the best amongst us.’ Allah’s Apostle said, ‘What do you think if he embraces Islam (will you do as he does)?’ The Jews said, ‘May Allah save him from it.’ Then ‘Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, ‘I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah.’ Thereupon they said, ‘He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest amongst us,’ and continued talking badly of him. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 546).”
- Chain: From Anas (Sahih).
- Grading: Sahih (Bukhari).
- Facebook Group Post on Hadith:
- Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1077044995715905/posts/7020080721412273/
- Full Text (English): “Abdullah ibn Salam questions Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) before accepting Islam. Narrated Anas: When ‘Abdullah bin Salam heard the arrival of the Prophet at Medina, he came to him and said, ‘I am going to ask you about three things which nobody knows except a prophet: What is the first portent of the Hour? What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise? Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble its maternal uncle’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘Gabriel has just now told me of their answers.’ Abdullah said, ‘He (i.e. Gabriel), from amongst all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be Extra-lobe (caudate lobe) of fish-liver. As for the resemblance of the child to its parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and gets discharge first, the child will resemble the father, and if the woman gets discharge first, the child will resemble her.’ On that Abdullah bin Salam said, ‘I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ Abdullah bin Salam further said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they would tell a lie about me.’ The Jews came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and Abdullah went inside the house. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked (the Jews), ‘What kind of man is Abdullah bin Salam amongst you?’ They replied, ‘He is the most learned person amongst us, and the best amongst us, and the son of the best amongst us.’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘What do you think if he embraces Islam (will you do as he does)?’ The Jews said, ‘May Allah save him from it.’ Then Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, ‘I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ Thereupon they said, ‘He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest amongst us,’ and continued talking badly of him.”
- Chain: From Anas (Sahih).
- Grading: Sahih (Bukhari).
- HadithAnswers.com on Questions Before Accepting Islam:
- Link: https://hadithanswers.com/abdullah-ibn-salam-questions-nabi-sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam-before-accepting-islam/
- Full Text (English): “Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded one such narration regarding Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) who was a Jewish rabbi. He came to him and said, “I will ask you three questions that none except a messenger knows; What is the first sign of Qiyamah? What is the first meal that the dwellers of Jannah will eat? How does a child resemble the father or resemble the maternal uncle/mother.” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Jibril (‘alayhis salam) has just informed me [of the answers].” Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “Jibril is the enemy of the Jews.” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: “The first sign of Qiyamah is a fire that will drive people from the east to the west. The first meal of the people of Jannah will be the caudate lobe of fish liver. As for the resemblance of the child; when a man has intercourse with a woman, if he discharges first, the child will resemble him. If she discharges first, the child will resemble her.” Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “I testify that there is no deity besides Allah and that you are the messenger of Allah.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3329, 4480. Also see: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 315, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1 pg. 273, Hadith: 2471 and vol. 5 pg. 262, Hadith: 22563 and Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1514)”
- Chain: From Anas (Sahih).
- Grading: Sahih (Bukhari).
- Quora Post on Hadith:
- Link: https://www.quora.com/A-Rabbi-Abdullah-Bin-Salam-knows-theres-no-more-Jewish-Prophet-after-time-of-Malachi-and-he-knows-3-questions-and-3-answers-for-testing-the-Gentile-Prophet-What-makes-Abdullah-Bin-Salam-accept-Prophet-Muhammad-and
- Full Text (English): “A Rabbi Abdullah Bin Salam knows there’s no more Jewish Prophet after time of Malachi and he knows 3 questions and 3 answers for testing the ‘Gentile Prophet’. What makes Abdullah Bin Salam accept Prophet Muhammad and immediately recites Shahada? … He came to him and said, ‘I shall ask you three things for which ONLY a prophet would know the answers. They are… And what causes a child to resemble his father or resemble his maternal uncle/mother.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Jibril (‘alayhis salam) has just informed me [of the answers].’ Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: ‘Jibril is the enemy of the Jews.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: ‘The first sign of Qiyamah is a fire that will drive people from the east to the west. The first meal of the people of Jannah will be the caudate lobe of fish liver. As for the resemblance of the child; when a man has intercourse with a woman, if he discharges first, the child will resemble him. If she discharges first, the child will resemble her.’ Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: ‘I testify that there is no deity besides Allah and that you are the messenger of Allah.’ (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3329, 4480. Also see: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 315, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 273, Hadith: 2471 and vol. 5 pg. 262, Hadith: 22563 and Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1514)”
- Chain: From Anas (Sahih).
- Grading: Sahih (Bukhari).
