Part 10

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree # reported that the Prophet i said, “In my nation there will be the Mahdee. If his period is shortened, then (his rule is) for seven (years); otherwise, it is for nine (years). My nation will enjoy blessings the likes of which it had never previously heard of; the earth will give forth its fruits and none of it will be stored away. Wealth in those days will be abundant. A man will stand and say, 'O Mahdee, give me.’ He will answer, ‘Take.” (Ibn Maajah)

Abu As-Sadeeq An-Naajee related that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree 2s said, “We feared that there would be a Hadath (something new but objectionable) and so we asked the Prophet ##.” He 2 said, “Indeed in my nation there is the Mahdee, and he will come out and live for 5 or 7 or 9. A man will go to him and say, ’O Mahdee, give me’ He will throw handfuls into the man’s garment, filling it with whatever the man is able to carry.” (At-Tirmidhee) This hadith is Hasan, and it has been related through other chains from the Prophet i This indicates that after he appears, the Mahdee will at most live for another 9 years, and at the very least for 5 or 7 years. And perhaps he is the Khaleefah who throws handfuls of wealth to the people — and Allah # knows best. During his rule, crops will be plentiful, wealth will be abundant, his rule will be strong and victorious, his enemy will be subdued, and goodness during his days will be

Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations 55

In another narration, Abu Sa’eed reported that a man said, “By Allah, no ruler comes to us except that he is more evil than the one before him.” Abu Sa’eed replied, “Had it not been for something I heard from the Messenger of Allah 2%, I would have said the same as you say. I heard the Messenger of Allah #% say, ‘Indeed, from your rulers will be a ruler who will throw handfuls of wealth without counting it. A man will come to him and ask (for charity). The man will spread out his garment while the ruler throws handfuls into it.’ The Messenger of Allah 24 was wearing a coarse over-garment and was displaying what that man would do. He then gathered it at its shoulders and said, “He will take it and leave.” (Ahmad) Ahmad alone related it through this chain.

Anas ibn Maalik said that he heard the Messenger of Allah #¥ say, “We, the children of ‘Abdul-Muttalib, are the chiefs of the dwellers of Paradise - [, Hamzah, ‘Alee, Ja’far, Al-Hasan, Al-Husain, and AlMahdee.” (Ibn Maajah) However, one of the narrators of this hadith is unknown, and this hadith is Munkar.

In another narration, Anas ibn Maalik .& velated that the Messenger of Allah #% said, “The matter will not increase except in harshness, nor the world except in tarning away, nor men except in miserliness and avarice. And the Hour will not arrive except upon the most evil of people. And Al-Mahdee is none other than ‘Lesa ibn Maryam.” (Ibu Maajah) This hadith is known to be related by Muhanunad Ibn Khaalid Al-Jundee As-Sin’aanee, the Mu’dhdhin and Shaikh of AshShaafi’ee. More than one narration has been related from him, and he is not unknown, as is claimed by Al-Haakim. In fact, it is related from Ibn Mu’een that he ruled him to be trustworthy. Some narrators relate it in the form of a Mursal narration.

At first glance, this last hadith is in conflict with those Ahaadeeth we related, which establish that the Mahdee is not ‘Eesa ion Maryam 3aE and that the Mahdee will come before ‘Eesa ibn Maryam 2% descends — it seems that this is though, and Allah # knows best. However, upon reflection, one should see that there is no contradiction. What is meant in the previous narration is that the true Mahdee, in the complete sense, is “Eesa ibn Maryam 8%; this does not negate the possibility of there being another Mahdee as well — and Allah 4% knows best.

56 Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations

DIFFERENT TRIALS THAT HAVE OCCURRED AND THAT WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY AT THE END OF TIMES

If there are many wrongdoers, all will be destroyed, even if there are righteous people among them

Umm Habeebah % reported that Zainab bint Jahsh $ said, “The Prophet #8 once woke up from his sleep with a crimson complexion as he was saying, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. Woe for the Arabs from an evil that has drawn near. An opening has been made today from the barrier of Yajooj and Majooj, the size of this.’ And he made a circle with his thumb and index finger (to show the size of the gap that was opened). It was said, “Will we be destroyed while the righteous are among us?’ He # said, ‘Yes, if AL Khabath (wickedness, sins, and hypocrisy) increase.” (Bukhaaree)

In another narration, Umm Salamah “%, the wife of the Prophet #¢ said, “The Prophet # woke up alarmed and said, ‘How perfect Allah is! What has been sent down tonight from treasures? And what has Allah sent down in terms of trials (treasures very often Jead to trials)? Who will wake up the dwellers of the apartments (Le. his wives) so that they will pray? Many are they who are dressed in this world but will be naked in the Hereafter.” (Bukhaaree)

Trials That Will Occur Among Muslims

“Urwah related that Usaamah ibn Zaid # said, “The Prophet 2 overlooked a high structure from the structures of Madeenah, and he # said, “Do you see what I see?’ They said, ’No.’ He #4 said, “For indeed I see the trial falling in your homes like the falling of the rain.” (Bukhaaree and Muslim)

It has been related that Abu Hurairah # reported this hadith from the Prophet #g: “Time will converge (scholars have different opinions about this saying. Some understand it literally, others say it points to the nearness of the Day of Resurrection, and yet others say it means that people will not be blessed in their time, and so day and night will go by quickly for them); knowledge will decrease; miserliness and avarice will remain; trials will appear; and

Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations 57

Al-Haraj will increase.” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, and what is it?’ He 4% said, “Killing, killing.”

Every Era That Comes Is Better Than The One That Follows It

Az-Zubair related that ‘Adee said, “We went to’ Anas ibn Maalik and complained to him about the ill-treatment we receive from AlHajjaaj. He said, ‘Be patient, for no era comes upon a people except that the one that follows it is even worse, (and this will continue) until you meet your Lord. I heard this from your Prophet #%.”” (Bukhanree) At-Tirmidhee related this hadith through Ath-Thauree and he said, “Hasan Saheeht.”” This meaning is captured by the phrase of the commoners, “You consider the end of every year to be base.”

Trials That Muslims Should Try To Stay Far Away From

Abu Hurairah % related that the Messenger of Allah #% said, “There will be trials ~ the one who sits during them is better than the one who stands; the one who stands during them is better than the one who walks; the one who walks during them is better than the one who goes forth, facing them and taking them on. During those trials, whoever finds a refuge or a sanctuary to protect him, then let him return to it.” (Bukhaaree and Muslint)

The Raising Of Trustworthiness From The Hearts

58 Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations

amount of Eemaan in his heart. There was a time when I didn’t mind whom it was from you that I traded with: if he was Muslim, then his Islam (his religion and trustworthiness) would prevent him from treachery; and if we was a Christian or a Jew, then the one in authority over him would prevent him (from wronging me). As for today, I would not trade except with so-and-so and with so-and-so.” (Bukhaaree)

The Prophet 24 Informed Us That The Trial Will Appear From The East

ibn ‘Umar .% related that the Messenger of Allah stood beside the pulpit, facing the East, and he #¢ said, “Lo! Indeed the trial is here, from where the horn of the Devil rises,” or he said, “the horn of the sun (i.e., from the East, the horn being the first part of the sun visible as it rises).” (Muslim)

Trials Will Increase Until The Living Will Envy The Dead

The Prophet # Informed Us That, Before The Coming Of The Hour, Idol-Worship Will Return To Some Areas Among The Arabs

Huge Quantity Of Wealth That Will Be Revealed In Arab Lands, And The Discord And Death That Will Result

Abu Hurairah 4 related that the Messenger of Allah #@ said, “The time draws near when the Furaat will reveal a treasure of gold;