প্রথম অধ্যায়: সুদূরবর্তী আলামত যা অতীতে প্রকাশ পেয়ে অতিবাহিত হয়ে গেছে

More than one of the Bedouins present in the vicinity of the city of Busra reported that they saw the sides of their camels' necks illuminated by the light of that fire, in fulfillment of the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ): "The Hour will not be established until a fire emerges from the land of Hijaz that illuminates the necks of the camels in Busra."

The author of "al-Isha'ah" stated: "The advance of this fire originated from the eastern side of Medina toward the road of al-Suwarqiyyah, where Habs Sayl is located, as it lies between Harrah Bani Sulaym and al-Suwarqiyyah; that is, in verification of the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ), as narrated by Imam Ahmad and Abu Ya'la: 'A fire is about to emerge from Habs Sayl, moving at the pace of a slow camel, traveling by day and halting by night.' And Allah knows best."

Among these signs is the emergence of Rafidism (al-Rafd), the Rafidites' usurpation of political authority, and their public reviling and cursing of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). This is indeed among the greatest of tribulations, the most abhorrent of trials, and the death of the Prophetic traditions.

Imam Ahmad, Abu Ya'la, and al-Tabarani recorded from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) as a marfu' report: "There will be at the end of time a people called al-Rafidah; they will reject Islam, so if you encounter them, fight them, for they are polytheists." And the wording of al-Tabarani with a good chain of transmission (isnad hasan) from him states: "I was with the Prophet (ﷺ) while 'Ali was present with him, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'There will be among my Ummah a people who falsely claim allegiance..."