The Four Groups That Want Turmoil In The Middle East

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The four groups that benefit the most from the turmoil in the Middle East are:

1. The Raafidhah

2. The Jews

3. The Christians

4. The Khawaarij

Affirming al-Istawaa

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Answering those who try to misinterprete the statement of Imaam Maalik رحمه الله

Imam Maalik رحمه الله when asked about how Allaah rose over the Throne (Istiwaa’), said: ❝Istawaa’ is known, its manner is unknown, believing in it is obligatory, and asking about it is a Bid`ah (religious innovation).❞

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa of Ibn Taymiyyah (3/58)]

Religion Misunderstood (Poem)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد 

This is a poem about the mental condition and the understanding of the religion by many who claim to be practicing Islaam. This is based on an Urdu poem by the prose writer, Altaf Hussain Haali. His book, “Mussadas-e-Haali” was the most famous book of the 20th century in Muslims of India during the reign of the British. The book examines the state of social and moral degradation prevalent in the contemporary Muslim society, for it contained the mistakes and the reasons for the downfall of the Muslim empire in India. This book was used for upraising the morale of Muslims. But in our age this is not limited to India alone, this can be widely applied everywhere, throughout the world, wherever the Muslims live. (Disclaimer: This is not an exact translation but I relied on that extensively with a few additions and modifications).

Win the hearts and attack them when they're the least expecting (Part 2/2)

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

...Either through direct preaching or through entertainment. 

Part #2 (Entertainment) 

Entertainment in the name of Islaam is another sickness plaguing the Muslim Ummah.

The first Aayah and Command that was revealed was to READ, but many amongst us don't want to read. There are many educated ignorant amongst us; educated in the terms of worldly knowledge, but ignorant when it comes to religious knowledge. As Allaah تعالى says: 

Win the hearts and attack them when they're the least expecting (Part 1/2)

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

...Either through direct preaching or through entertainment.

 Part #1 (Direct preaching)

 We have learned from our scholars and the Salaf that if an innovator would come directly with his Bid`ah (religious innovation), people would run away from him. So, they disguise themselves as pious, well-wishers, sincere advisors etc. And the first one to play this role was Iblees himself: 

The 5 reasons for the downfall of the Ummah

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

It was narrated that Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما said: The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝When you enter into `Eenah transactions ^[1], take hold of the tails of cattle ^[2], and are content with farming ^[3], and you forsake Jihaad ^[4], Allaah will cause humiliation to prevail over you ^[5] and He will not withdraw it until you return to your religion ^[6].❞

[Musnad Ahmad (4987) and Sunan Abu Dawood (3462) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (11)]

Notes:

[1] “`Eenah” (العينة): It is an illusionary transaction in which some people engage to conceal the Ribaa (usury/interest) dealings. The contract appears to be a “buying and selling” contract, whereas in reality, it is just Ribaa, and the transaction is just a cover-up. 

False visions and dreams of Ikhwaan al-Mufsideen

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ikhwaan al-Mufsideen and their false visions and dreams:

🚫A) Back in 2013, during the 2nd Egyptian revolt/protest, some "Shaikh" made a claim, saying: "some righteous people in al-Madeenah saw a dream that Jibreel عليه السلام had descended in support of the people who had gathered around the Masjid Raabi`ah Al-Adawiyah (the spot of their protest)."

📑 Note:

1. Who are these "righteous people" who saw the dream?

2. In a narration, it is reported that it is sufficient to consider a person to have lied, who narrates everything that he hears. (or as the Prophet ﷺ had said).

3. How are they sure they saw Jibreel عليه السلام?

4. When Jibreel عليه السلام came to the Companions in a human form, they could not recognize him. And except for the Prophets and Messengers, none has been given permission to see him in his original form.

5. How can Jibreel عليه السلام support a people in an act (protest) which is against the Sunnah?

6. It could have been Shaitaan! Shaitaan came in a human form in support of the Mushrikeen during the battle of Badr.

7. There is no authentic report that any of the Companions ever made a claim of seeing Jibreel عليه السلام in their dreams - neither during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ nor after his demise.

🌴🌴🌴

🚫B) Salman al-Audah made a claim that he saw the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions in his dream, and that he asked the Prophet ﷺ a few questions and he responded to them. Then Salman sought his ﷺ permission to write them down as people have formed many principles and rules in the Deen, and everyone has gone their different ways. And that this writing will help them unite and come back to his Sunnah and the right way. Then he claims that the Prophet ﷺ gave him permission to write and then to also said to present it to him so that he ﷺ could review it and correct the mistakes.

📑 Note:

1. Whoever sees the Prophet ﷺ in his dream - as per the description in the Ahaadeeth - then indeed he has seen him ﷺ. [Saheehain]

2. Anyone who claims to have seen the Prophet ﷺ in a form other than what has been described in the Ahaadeeth has clearly lied. Example: saying that they saw him without a beard.

3. Dreams are the 46th part of Prophethood, and the righteous man will see his dream come true.

4. But no dreams can add or reduce anything from the Sharee`ah as it has been completed and perfected.

5. No one from the Salaf authenticated or unauthenticated a narration based on dreams.

6. No one from the Salaf accepted dreams as Hujjah (proof) in the matters of Sharee`ah.

7. Saying that principles and rules have divided the Ummah is Baatil (falsehood). Rather principles and rules were made based on the Qur'aan and Sunnah, so how can they divide the Ummah?

8. Principles and rules were made to prevent division and to prevent personal interpretations of the Text. Even mathematics has a set of rules: "BODMAS" or "PEMDAS" to limit the answer.

9. The Companions faced many difficulties and differed in some of the issues of Fiqh. But no one said that the Prophet ﷺ corrected it for them or guided them in their dreams.

10. This is one of the methods the Sufees employ. Seeing a good dream is from the 46th part of Nubuwway (Prophethood) and it is a way of receiving glad tidings for the Believers. But what Salman al-`Audah is doing is giving an open invitation to some of the Sufees (the “Awliyaa” and the “Abdaal” among them) to interpolate in the Deen of Allaah as they please. If it is allowed to take knowledge through dreams, then they have more rights to this way of learning. They claim to receive Kashf (visions in the state of wakefulness) and they also claim to receive revelations directly from Allaah, as they say:

حدثني قلبي عن ربي...

"My heart informed me from my Lord…"

We seek Allaah’s refuge from such foolishness.

🌴🌴🌴

🚫C) Now here is the vision of the biggest evil of them all, `Amr Khaalid, the Egyptian speaker, who claimed that in 2011, during the 1st protest, in the Tahreer Square, he saw Allaah! Not the miracles of Allaah, nor His Signs, but Allaah Himself, and not in his dreams, but while he was wide awake and in that Maidaan (Square). And Allaah's refuge is sought from such foolishness.

And he continues that when he was in that Square - in that mix gathering of men and women, young and old, Muslims and Christians - he felt like he was amongst the Angels!

📑 Note:

1. Allaah تعالى mentioned in Surah al-A`raaf, that when Moosaa عليه السلام requested Allaah to show Himself so that he can see Him, Allaah جل وعلا replied: {"You cannot see Me, but look upon the mountain if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me." So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He made it collapse to dust, and Moosaa fell down unconscious. Then when he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to You (O Allaah), I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers."}

2. Moosaa عليه السلام could not see Allaah, but this dude could?!

3. Moosaa عليه السلام fell down unconscious, but this dude did not?! Is he stronger than Moosaa عليه السلام?!

4. The mountain collapsed to dust, but this Square is intact till now?!

5. The most pious of people - after the Prophets عليهم السلام - i.e. the Companions, in the best of time, i.e. during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, neither during Laylatul-Qadr nor on the Day of `Arafah - they never made such a claim; yet Allaah appeared to this man, in the worst of situations, where there was intermingling of men and women, boys and girls, Muslims with Christians, dancing and singing!!!

6. In a long Hadeeth about al-Dajjaal, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Bear this thing in mind that none amongst you would be able to see Allaah عز وجل until he dies." [Saheeh Muslim]

7. Narrated Masrooq: I said to `Aaishah: "O Mother! Did Prophet Muhammad ﷺ see his Lord?" `Aaishah said: "What you have said made my hair stand on end! Know that if somebody tells you one of the following three things, he is a liar: {A} Whoever tells you that Muhammad ﷺ saw his Lord, is a liar." Then `Aaishah recited the Aayah: {No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Courteous Well-Acquainted with all things.} (6.103) and also the Aayah {It is not fitting for a human being that Allaah should speak to him except by inspiration or from behind a veil.} (42.51) `Aaishah further said: {B} "And whoever tells you that the Prophet ﷺ knows what is going to happen tomorrow, is a liar." She then recited: {No soul can know what it will earn tomorrow} (31.34) She added: {C} "And whoever tells you that he ﷺ concealed (some of Allaah's commandments) is a liar." Then she recited: {O Messenger! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord..} (5.67) `Aaishah added. "But the Prophet ﷺ saw Jibreel in his true form twice." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

💢💢💢

All this shows that even in this age of advancement and easy availability of knowledge, there are more Juhhaal (ignorant) than ever before. People are seeking information but not the knowledge. Beneficial knowledge is that which guides the person to the Truth and righteous deeds, and not towards such falsehood and ignorance.

نسأل الله السلامة

Types of Fitan

⚡ Types of Fitan (calamities/affliction)

[Along with the advice by Shaikh Ibn al-Uthaymeen not to expose one self to them] 

▶️ There are two types of Fitan which affect a person:

➡️ 1) Affliction in the self: (And this is from the worldly perspective). This includes loss in wealth, health, live, honor, hunger, fear or any other type of physical or psychological loss or affliction. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ﴾

{And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits…}

📚 [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 155]

۞۝۞

➡️ 2) Affliction in the Deen: (and this is from the perspective of the Hereafter). Affliction in the Deen is far worse than affliction in the self. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ﴾

{And Al-Fitnah (affliction in the Deen) is worse than killing}

📚 [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 191]

And

﴿وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ﴾

{...and Al-Fitnah is a greater (crime) than killing}

📚 [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 217]

This includes being afflicted by:

🚫 Shirk, 

🚫 or Bid`ah, 

🚫 or belittling the Sunnah or authentic Ahaadeeth,

🚫 or getting confused even after knowing the correct path,

🚫 or having doubts about the Deen,

🚫 or chasing the desires, 

🚫 or giving preference to personal opinions over the Texts, 

🚫 or laziness in religious duties, 

🚫 or self-amazement,

🚫 or following the path of falsehood after being guided, 

🚫 or swaying between groups and parties etc. 

Part of this affliction also includes being prevented from carrying out the religious duties by the enemies, or persecution in the name of religion. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّـهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ﴾

{They (the enemies) had nothing against them (the believers), except that they believed in Allaah, the All-Mighty, Worthy of all Praise!}

📚 [Surah al-Burooj (85): 8]

Affliction in the Deen can lead to misguidance and eternal damnation. Moreover, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم frequently used to supplicate saying:

يَا مُقَلِّبَ القُلُوبِ، ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ

❝O Changer of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.❞ 

📚 [Sunan al-Tirmidhee and Sunan Ibn Maajah, and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

🌴🌴🌴

⚡ Do not expose yourselves to Fitan:

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen said:

❝We also learn from this Aayah that al-Fitnah - i.e. preventing the people from following their Deen (Islaam) - is a greater (crime) than killing them; because in their killing, the maximum they'll miss out on is this worldly life. But if they are prevented from (learning and having) Imaan then they will lose in this world and the Hereafter.

And many people approach the places of Fitan (e.g. a bad company, or an environment that would corrupt their religious beliefs and morals) and they think that this Fitnah will not affect (or harm) them. But if they continue like this, then it won't be long before they are overtaken by the Fitnah. This is why the Prophet ﷺ said: ❝Let him who hears of the Dajjaal (Antichrist) go far from him for I swear by Allaah that a man will come to him thinking that he (the Dajjaal) is a believer, then he will follow him because of the deceptive arguments he (the Dajjaal) will put forward (to confuse him).❞

📚 [Sunan Abu Dawood (4319) and graded as "Saheeh" by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The important thing is that a person should not expose himself to Fitan. How many people approached the places of Fitan thinking that they were immune to it, but they were not!❞

📚 [Tafseer of Surah al-Baqarah by Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (3/59-60)]

al-Nafs: Definition, its' different states, Du`aa

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah عز وجل says:

﴿وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا * فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا * قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا * وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا﴾

{7. And by Nafs (Aadam or a person or a soul, etc.), and Him Who perfected him in proportion;

8. Then He showed him what is wrong for him and what is right for him;

9. Indeed he succeeds who purifies his own self (i.e. obeys and performs all that Allaah ordered).

10. And indeed he fails who corrupts his own self (i.e. disobeys Allaah by doing every kind of evil wicked deeds).}

[Surah al-Shams (91): 7-10]

 Definition:

A human being consists of two parts:

The "Tazkiyah": Where have we gone wrong?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

🌟DEFINITION:

The word Tazkiyah is the verb of: "Zakkaa, Yuzakkee", meaning: Purification.

🌴🌴🌴

🌟TYPES:

In the Qur'aan, Allaah تعالى mentioned two types (or ideas) regarding Tazkiyah: 

1) Praiseworthy 

2) Disparaged

The most misused/abused phrases

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The most misused/abused phrases by the people to cover-up their mistakes:

1 "Only Allaah can judge"

2 "You don't know what is in the heart"

The statements are true but they are intentionally applied (to support) a wrong (cause). [This was said by `Alee رضي الله عنه in his reply to the Khawaarij - Saheeh Muslim]

The first statement was uttered by the Khawaarij against `Alee رضي الله عنه. The Khawaarij denied the role of man in making decisions and forming judgments; whereas, we do indeed have court systems and judges to make judgments. [See the long conversation between Ibn `Abbaas and the Khawaarij]

There is no substitute for the Sunnah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Do not abandon the Sunnah or substitute it with something YOU might feel is “better”, nor should you abandon it only because YOU could not understand the reason behind it.

Narrated Zaid bin Aslam from his father who said: `Umar bin Al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه addressed the Corner (Black Stone) saying: ❝By Allaah! I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet ﷺ touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you.❞ 

The outstanding attributes of al-Firqatun-Naajiyah (the Saved Sect)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Question: What are the most outstanding attributes of al-Firqatun-Naajiyah (the Saved Sect)? And does a shortcoming in any of these attributes remove a person from the Saved Sect?

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

The most outstanding attributes of the Saved Sect are adherence to the path of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in beliefs, worship, character and conduct – one finds that the Saved Sect is distinguished in all these four aspects:

In beliefs, one finds them holding fast to what is proven by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم sincerely declaring the Tawheed (Oneness) of Allaah in matters of worship, Lordship, and His Names and Attributes.

Laymen should avoid engaging into politics:

When politics is involved, it is better to restrain your tongues, particularly when it will lead to discord:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:

❝I have memorized two kinds of knowledge from Allaah's Messenger ﷺ. I have propagated one of them to you and if I propagated the second, then my pharynx (throat) would be cut (i.e. I would be killed).❞

📚 [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (120)]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝What is evident from this Hadeeth is Abu Hurairah learned two types of knowledge from the Prophet صلى الله عله وسلم. One type of knowledge is related with the Sharee`ah, which he رضي الله عنه informed, explained and propagated.

As for the second, then it was related with the Khilaafah (Caliphate). It was as if he رضي الله عنه was scared of the Fitnah (that would arise because of it) which would engulf him and others. This is why he delayed it. We do not say that he hid (the knowledge), because he did not wait till his last breath to speak about it. Rather, he had spoken about it earlier in his life, and thereafter he may have delayed speaking about it till there was no fear of the Fitnah arising because of it.❞

📚 [Sharh Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1/319)]


🎓 In Fath al-Baaree, Ibn Hajar رحمه الله said:
❝(The knowledge which Abu Hurairah deferred from speaking about), scholars took this to refer to those Ahaadeth in which the names of the tyrant rulers, their condition, and their era are mentioned. Abu Hurairah used to refer to some of them with nicknames, and would not speak about them openly, fearing for himself. Like he used to say: “I seek Allaah’s refuge from the starting of the 60th year (of Hijrah) and the leadership of the youth”, referring  to the Khilaafah of Yazeed Ibn Mu`aawiyah, as he came to power in the 60th year of Hijrah. And Allaah تعالى accepted his Du`aa, and he died a year before (Yazeed became the ruler).❞ 
📚[Fath al-Baari  (1/216)]

Removing the Doubts: “Not all Ahl al-Kitaab are Kaafir”

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Some of the Western speakers misinterpret the Aayah # 105 of Surah al-Baqarah to support their claim that not all Ahl al-Kitaab are Kaafir. Among such people who spread this misunderstanding are Nouman Ali Khan, Hamza Yusuf and others.

NOTE: This is a 4 part response to the claim that “not all Ahl al-Kitaab are Kaafir” which were posted as different posts on Facebook over the years.

🌴🌴🌴

PART 1:

Explanation of Surah al-Baqarah (2), Aayah (105) by Shaikh Ibn al`Uthaymeen رحمه الله:

For those who have already watched that (in)famous 3 minute clip of Nouman Ali Khan where he used his logic to conclude that not ALL Ahl al-Kitaab are Kaafir, this is the response from Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen's Tafseer.

Fitnah & the Muslim's stance Before, During and After it

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Qur’aan, Allaah تعالى mentioned that Moosaa عليه السلام said:

﴿قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّايَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَّا ۖ إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَاءُ وَتَهْدِي مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ﴾

{He (Moosaa عليه السلام) said: ❝O my Lord, if it had been Your Will, You could have destroyed them and me before; would You destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us? IT IS ONLY YOUR TRIAL BY WHICH YOU LEAD ASTRAY WHOM YOU WILL, AND KEEP GUIDED WHOM YOU WILL. You are our Wali (Protector), so forgive us and have Mercy on us, for You are the Best of those who forgive.❞} [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 155]

🌟 A) THE MUSLIM’S STANCE BEFORE THE APPEARANCE OF FITAN:

🚩 1. Supplicating earnestly and seeking Allaah’s refuge:

i)                 Beseeching Allaah for guidance.

ii)               Seeking forgiveness.

iii)             Asking Allaah for Paradise and protection from Hell.

iv)             Asking for safety and wellbeing in this world and Hereafter.

v)               Asking for firmness in the Deen.

vi)             Asking Allaah for His continuous favors and protection from His favors ever declining.

vii)          Seeking Allaah’s refuge from calamities, evil end, bad fate, and the malicious joy of the enemies. [This Du`aa is reported in Saheehain]

Scrutinize before narrating

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

It is reported on the authority of Yazeed bin Mujaalid al-Mu`abbarah: I heard Yahya bin Ma`een رحمه الله saying:

❝When you write, gather (everything); and when you narrate, scrutinize (verify it before narrating).❞

Two dangerous philosophies affecting the Ummah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

1) Denying the authenticity of the Texts when it goes against them:

Like what Shaikh al-Albaanee رحمه الله said about Yusuf al-Qaradhawi (May Allaah guide us and guide him):

❝He (Qaradhawi) issues Fataawa to the people which opposes the Sharee`ah. He also has a very dangerous philosophy. If something comes to him that is prohibited in the religion, he gets rid of the prohibition with his statement: “There is no conclusive evidence that forbids it.” So therefore he made music Halaal.❞

2) Permitting everything under the umbrella of “Difference of opinion”.

There is no denying that there are genuine issues where the scholars – past and present – have differed and there is valid difference of opinion, each group supported by evidence.

Then there are people like Yasir Qadhi, Suhaib Webb and others, who permit things by going against the Texts and about which the scholars had clearly warned against, like: permitting the Muslims to wish the Christians on Christmas.

Part 4 / 4: Importance of teaching Tawheed and issues pertaining to Creed over other topics

Part 4: Double standards

For part 1, please click here.

For part 2, please click here.

For part 3, please click here.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

If a person is an expert in swimming, will his children be Olympic champions by default?

Obviously No! Being a child of an expert swimmer does not make the child a good swimmer by default or by birth. The child maybe talented, but to become a good swimmer, he has to go through a lot of training and practice. The same goes for any other sports. 

Strangers to the Sunnah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

From the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Islaam began as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being something strange. So glad tidings to the strangers.❞

[Saheeh Muslim (270)]

  

۝۝۝

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen said (paraphrased):

❝During its advent in Makkah, Islaam was a stranger. In the beginning and for a long time, there were only ten companions; then they gradually increased in numbers. Similarly, near the end of times, it (Islaam) will return back to its state of being a stranger.

This decrease may not necessarily mean the decrease in numbers, as there are more than a Billion Muslims in the world. It may not necessarily mean that near the end of times there will be only ten or twenty Muslims left. It may mean that the Muslims might be in their hundreds or in their thousands, but they will be strangers to the Sunnah (i.e. very few will be following and implementing the Sunnah in their lives as compared to the total Muslim population).❞

[Sharh Saheeh Muslim (1/302)]