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Chapter 339 of 5613 min read
حديث واثلة (تتمة)
Allah had given him the foreknowledge of many events to come. On most occasions, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would convey that information in a general sense. For particular Companions, though, he gave specific details of what would occur. This was true, for example, with respect to Hudhaifah and Abu Huraira.2 In this hadith, the Prophet said !.jƺ (jasayara); this implies that it will be seen in the future. Another way to state the future would be to use the word, u_,.. (saufa). The difference between the two is that the way the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated it implies that it will occur soon. Such was the case, for the Muslim community began to face its first trials and differences after the assassination ofUthmaan.3 lbn Uthaimeen points out that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that there would be lots of differences. He says this applies to differences concerning the rule, opinions, beliefs, the general and specific situation of people and so forth. These problems began to occur during the lifetime of many of those to whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) was speaking.4 The differences became great indeed. Muslims started fighting one another. Muslims started declaring that other Muslims were no longer within the fold of Islam and so forth. These kinds of differences and conflicts can lead to a great deal of confusion if a person cannot find his way out of such conflicts. By the mercy of Allah, Allah did not leave the Muslims without a guide and clear path (sunnah) that would lead them to the truth. But then ibn Uthaimeen goes on to pose the following question: Is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) said here only relevant to the people he was talking to at that time or is it relevant to everybody at all times? He concludes that it is relevant to all peoples at all times. Ibn Uthaimeen states that, "those among us who lived a long time find a great difference between the beginning of their lives and the ending of their lives." He says that anyone who lives a long life will see a lot of changes in the people. Therefore, in this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him} was giving a lesson that is valuable to everyone who lives and sees such changes. What should a Muslim do in the face of those changes? Where is the key that will guide him to what is right? The key is in following the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and that of the rightly-guided successors, as shall be discussed below.5 The message that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated in this hadith and the guide to surviving the differences that will occur and have occurred is 1 Some narrations state, "among you who lives after me". 2 Cf., ibn al-Arabi, vol. 10, p. 146; al-Haitami, Fath, p. 220. 3 Cf., al-Mudaabaghi, p. 220. 4 lbn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 3, p. 334. 5 lbn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 3, p. 337. Hadith #28: "I advise you to have taqwa . . . " very similar to what the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated in another well known hadith. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, f!J01 ,.. ,,. " ' o -JI.IP _., ,,,...._ ; ,.. Û /. 0/ / ಅಆ 1;._ • \ J .ಈf Û /. 0/ / 0::· 1;.._ c_;மய l ;(0 I ·/ 01 / ? -:-) / .r U-,, .r"B i..f} B ... ... ... ... ... - ,,. J ,,, î - "' "' ....