Islam began as a stranger

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the

Prophet (SAW) said: “Islam began as something

strange and it will return to being strange as it

began. So Toobaa is for the strangers.

Islam will return to strangeness

Meaning of the Hadith

True believers and worshipers of one

Allah are strangers among mankind.

And if you obey most of the people on Earth, they will lead you astray.

(Quran 6: 116)

And most of mankind will not believe, even if you (O Muhammad) desire it eagerly.

(Quran 12: 103)

And truly, most of mankind are rebellious and disobedient (to God). (Quran 5: 49)

But nay, most of mankind are ungrateful. (Quran 12: 38)

How do we recognize them?

Who are the strangers?

Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah have also reported

this hadeeth on the authority of Ibn Masood

(RA) with the addition at the end of it:

“It was asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, and who

are the strangers?’

He (SAW) said: ‘The Nuzaa’

(Those who extract themselves) from their

families and close relatives.’”

Qualities of strangers

Abu Bakr Al-Aajuree also transmitted it and in his

report there occurs: "It was said: ‘Who are they, O

Messenger of Allah?’ He (SAW) said:

‘Those who rectify (themselves/others) when the

people have become corrupt.’”

He (SAW) also said: "They are those who flee from

trials (fitan) for the sake of their Religion."

Qualities of strangers

Imam Ahmad and At-Tabaranee narrated from

the hadeeth of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Amr (RA),

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Tooba is for the

strangers.” It was said: “And who are the

strangers? He (SAW) said: “A righteous people

surrounded by people abounding in much evil.

Those who disobey them are more numerous

than those who obey them.”

Qualities of strangers

And it has been reported on ‘Abdullah Ibn Amr

(RA) in marfoo’ and mawqoof form in this

hadeeth, that: “It was asked : ‘Who are the

strangers?’

He (SAW) said: ‘They are the ones who flee for

the sake of their Religion. Allah, may He be

Exalted, will send them with ‘Eesa Bin Maryam’”

Characteristics of the strangers

They will correct others when the people have

become corrupt.

They are those who will rectify what the people

have corrupted of the Sunnah.

They are the ones who will flee from affliction for

the sake of their Religion.

They are the ones who will extract themselves

from their close relatives (for Allah’s sake).

Meanings of “Tooba”

It is said that Tooba means something good.

Allah mentions this word in Surat-ur-Ra’ad :

“Those who believe and do righteous deeds,

Tooba is for them and a pleasant destination.”

Ibraheem An-Nakha’ee (RA), the great Tabi’ee,

said it means “good is for them.”

Qatadah said: “When a man says Tooba for you

it means you have attained something good.

‘Ikrimah and Mujahid said that Tooba means

Paradise.

Tooba, a tree in Jannah

Tooba, a tree in Paradise

it is said that Tooba refers to a tree in Paradise

which the Prophet (SAW) spoke of when he said:

“Verily, there is a tree in Paradise under the shadow

of which a rider can travel for a hundred years

without being able to cover (it’s distance)

completely.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Prophet (SAW) said: “Tooba is a tree in Paradise. Its

(shade’s) distance (in traveling) is one hundred

years. And the garments of the inhabitants of

Paradise will be extracted from its branches.”

Islam’s strangeness, historical

perspective

When the Prophet(SAW) began calling towards

Islam, his call was not answered at first

Those that accepted his call feared from their tribes

and families lest they should be subjected to

extreme punishment.

Due to their weakness, the (first) Muslims would be

frightened by every opposing force

Islam began in strangeness

They had to flee for the sake of their Religion to far-

off lands as was shown when they migrated twice -

to the land of Abyssinia, and then to Madinah.

There was from among them who were tortured for

the sake of Allah and some were killed.

So those who entered into the fold of Islam, back in

those days – they were the strangers.

Victory and spread of Islam

Then Islam spread after the Hijrah to Madinah

and its followers became victorious over every

group.

After that, the people entered into the Religion

of Allah in multitudes.

Allah perfected the Religion for them and

completed His favor upon them.

Victory and spread of Islam

Then the Messenger of Allah (SAW) died.

Muslims were upon the utmost level due to their firm

adherence to their Religion.

They were powerful and dominant.

And they continued to be upon this condition during the

times of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (during their Khilafah).

Period of Discord and Disputes

Then discord fell between them.

The trials of Doubts (Ash-Shubuhat) and Desires (Ash-Shahawat) became widespread.

These two trials and their effects continued to increase with the incitation of Shaytan

All of that was from what the Messenger of Allah (SAW) had warned us would occur.

Prophet (SAW) said:

Two kinds of trials

Trials

Shubhat

Doubts

Shahwat

Desires

Trial of Doubts(Ash-Shubuhat)

Prophet said: "This Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of which will be in the Hellfire, except for one." They asked: "And which is that sect?" He (SAW) said: "(The ones that adhere to) That which I and my Companions are upon today." (At-Tabarani in Mu'jam-us-Sagheer)

In another narration on the authority of Anas Ibn Maalik(RA) the Prophet (SAW) said: "Every one of them will be in the Hellfire, except one and it is the Jama'ah."

Consequences of Doubts

It was because of this that the Muslims were divided and became sects, some groups declaring others as disbelievers.

Thus, they became enemies, divided into groups and parties.

This only happened after having been brothers.

So no one of these sects is saved, except for the one saved sect (Al- Firqat-un-Naajiyah).

Consequences of Doubts

And they are the ones mentioned in the saying of

the Prophet (SAW)

“There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah

triumphant upon the truth. Those who oppose them

will not be able to harm them, nor will those who

abandon them, until Allah’s order comes about (Day

of Judgment) and they are in that state.”

Trial of Desires:(Ash-Shahawat)

It is reported in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Amr (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said: “When the treasures of the Persians and the Romans are opened for you, how will your people be?” ‘Abd-ur-Rahmaan Ibn Auf (RA) said:

“We will say what Allah has ordered us (to say).” He (SAW) said: “Or other than that. You will compete against each other, then you will envy one another, then you will turn your backs on one another.” (Muslim, Ibn-Majah)

Main fear of the Prophet (SAW)

On the authority of 'Amr Ibn 'Awf (RA) the Prophet (SAW) said:

“I swear by Allah! It is not poverty that I fear for you. Rather, what I fear the most for you is that the pleasures of this world will be presented to you as they were presented to those before you. And you will compete against each other for it, as they competed against each other. And it will destroy you, just as it destroyed them.” (Ibn-Majah)

Umar Ibn Khattab (RA) on trial of

wealth

And when the treasures of Kissra (Chosroes)

were opened for ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (RA), he

began to weep and said:

“Indeed this (treasure) did not open upon a

people ever, except that Allah placed discord

between them.”

3 types of strangeness

Strangeness of the land

Strangeness of the

people of corruption

Strangeness of true

Muslims

3 Categories of strangeness

Al Ghurbathu wal Ghuraba, by Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah.

1- There is the strangeness from the land or from one’s

country. This strangeness could be

A-Praiseworthy- This is connected to the niyyah

(intention) of a particular individual. …So for instance, if

a person were to travel to a strange land for the

purpose of halal trade or dawah, then his strangeness

to the land would be a praiseworthy strangeness.

B-Blameworthy- If a person were to travel to a land for

the purpose of fisq (sin, evil) or Fasaad (evil spreading)

or corruption, then this strangeness would be

blameworthy.

2-Strangeness of the people of fisq,

corruption and dalala (misguidance)

This kufr, shirk, and dalala makes their chest

constrained, and it makes them individuals who

are strangers – even though they may be

plentiful in one particular place.

Without guidance, these people are strange [in a

blameworthy way] and have constraint in their

chest.

Some of them may have much money, but

because of the constrained chest – due to kufr

and dalala – they kill their righteous nature.

3-Strangeness of true Muslims

This is a strangeness that is good.

The intent is a person holds onto the religion of Allah while among the people of dalala and kufr and shirk and bid’ah and ma’siya.

This individual will have great reward due to the good he’s upon, and opposing the people distant from the Deen of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (SAW). So you will find

This type of stranger obeys Allah’s commands in all his affairs and carries out the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (SAW).

THE STRANGENESS OF THE SUNNAH

AND ITS ADHERENTS

Al-Hasan Al-Basree (RA) used to say to his companions: “Oh Ahl-us-Sunnah! Be gentle with one another and may Allah have mercy on you. For indeed, you are from amongst the fewest of people.”

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (RA) said: “Treat the Ahl-us-Sunnah kindly, for verily, they are strangers.”

Yunus Ibn ‘Ubayd (RA) said: “There is not a thing more stranger than the Sunnah. And what is more stranger than it, is the one who knows it.”

The understanding of the term

“Sunnah”

It was the way of the Prophet (SAW) – that which he and his companions were upon – free from Doubts (Ash-Shubuhaat) and Desires (Ash-Shahawaat).

Due to this, Al-Fudayl Ibn ‘Iyaad (RA) used to say: “Ahl-us-Sunnah is he who knows what is entering his stomach from the halal.”

That is because the consumption of halal is from the greatest aspects of the Sunnah.

Adherents of Sunnah will be

strangers

They are described as strangers because of their small number and rarity in the Last Days.

They are described as : "A righteous people surrounded by people abounding in much evil. Those who disobey them are greater in number than those who obey them." Musnad Ahmad (2/177)

Strangeness indicates smallness of their numbers and the number of those who accept their call.

We are made aware of the greatness in number of those who oppose them and disobey them.

Praise for the one who sticks firmly

to his Religion

Prophet(SAW) said: "Verily, after you there will come times requiring patience. (In those days) the one who holds fast to that which you are upon will have the reward of fifty amongst you.”

Reported by Al-Marwazee in As-Sunnah (no. 35),

At-Tabaranee in Al-Kabeer(17/117),

Abu Dawood in his Sunan (no. 3441),

At-Tirmidhee (no. 3057), who declared it saheeh,

Ibn Maajah (no. 4014).

Imaam Al-Albanee authenticated it in As-Saheehah (no. 494)

THE STRANGENESS OF THE

BELIEVER DURING THE LAST DAYS

Abu Umamah (RA), that the Prophet(SAW) said:

“Verily, for every matter there is a progression and a regression:

And verily from the progression of this Religion is that you used to be upon blindness and ignorance and then Allah sent me (with His Guidance).

And verily from the progression of this Religion is that a clan was taught (Islam) by its family members, to the point that there was not found amongst them anyone except for one evildoer or two evildoers. So these two were oppressed and degraded. When they want to speak, they are restrained, subdued and persecuted.

Progression of Religion

And verily from the regression of this Religion is that a clan acts harshly against its family members, to the point that there is not seen amongst them anyone except one faqeeh (one with understanding) or two faqeehs. Thus they will both be oppressed and degraded. If they speak and command the good and forbid the evil, they are restrained, subdued and persecuted. And they will not find any supporters or helpers in that matter.” (Tabaranee)

Strangeness of the believers

At-Tabaranee also reported with a weak chain of

narration on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood (RA) that

the Prophet (SAW) said:

“And verily from its signs (i.e. the Hour) is that the

believer will be in the sight of his tribe, more lower

(in status) than the young sheep.”

Strangeness of the believers

And it is recorded in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad that 'Ubadah Ibn As-Samat (RA) said to one of his companions:

"It is imminent that should your life be prolonged for you, you will see a man who recites the Quran upon the tongue of Muhammad (SAW)repeating it and displaying it, allowing its halal and forbidding its haram.

He will then be lowered in his status and his position will be neglected amongst you and considered just as the position of a dead donkey.”

Descriptions of strangeness of

believers by Asim Al-Andakee

Description of truth has returned to being strange as it

began.

If you were to turn to the scholar, you would find him

being tested with the love of this worldly life and the

love for honor and authority.

And if you were to turn to the worshipper, you would

find him ignorant in his worship, deceived and fallen

victim to his enemy Iblis.

He has mounted to the highest levels of worship while

being ignorant of how to perform them so how can he

be at that level?

Descriptions of strangeness

And the rest of the people are from among the

ignorant followers, simple-minded and quick to

follow a way, as if he were a wolf looking to steal a

sheep, or a hungry lion, or a fox on the prowl.

Described by Ahmad Ibn ‘Asim Al-Andakee, who

was one of the biggest scholars at the time of

Sulaymaan Ad-Daramee (Hilyat-ul-Awliyaa 9/286)

CLINGING ONTO THE SUNNAH

DURING TIMES OF AFFLICTION

Abu Hurairah (RA) related that the Prophet (SAW)

said: “The one who clings onto my Sunnah at the

time of the corruption of my Ummah will receive the

reward of a martyr.” (At-Tabaranee)

Hasan Basari (RA)said: “If a man from the first

generation of Muslims were sent (to us) today, he

would not recognize anything from Islam except for

this prayer!”

Hard times ahead to hold on to

religion

Prophet ( ( ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص )stated, “Ahead of you are days of

patience, when holding onto the religion will be like

holding onto hot coals, and whomsoever holds onto

His religion in that time, then his reward will be the

reward of fifty men.” The Companions said, “O

Messenger of Allaah, fifty times the worth of their

reward?” He said, “Rather fifty from you.”

Collected by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah,

Al-Haakim who declared it authentic, Adh-Dhahabee

agreed and Al-Albaanee declared it Saheeh in As-

Saheehah (no. 494).

Holding onto the religion in times of

fitnah

Prophet ( ( ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص said, “There will be du’aat (callers) at the gates of Jahannam. Whoever responds to them, they will cast them into it.” (Bukhaaree and Muslim).

They call to misguidance, deviation, bid’ah and to the innovated sects, groups and parties.

Why? Because they stand at the gates of the Hellfire such that you can’t even envision the Hellfire behind them.

May Allah protect us and keep us safe from that. Ameen

There were strangers with previous

prophets

The Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ) )said in a hadith:

“The nations were presented before me, I saw a Prophet, and I saw that he did not have except a handful of followers and I saw a Prophet and he had one follower, and I saw a Prophet and he had no followers.” (Bukharee and Muslim)

Does that affect the truth that they were upon?

Does that change that they were upon the truth because you look at how many people were following him?

The truth is not measured by numbers, “The Jamaa’ah is whatever is in accordance to the truth, even if you are on your own” as Ibn Mas’ood stated.

Ghuraba will remain in every age

Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah do not alter with

time, they are upon the Sunnah in every age, in

every time.

Ghurabaa they will remain in every age, in every

era, and they will remain strong.

Imaam At-Tirmidhee said about the Aided Group

(At-Taa’ifah Al-Mansoorah): “They are the people

of knowledge and the people of narrations.”

They are the Jamaa’ah.

Dua