পৃষ্ঠা 332: উপসংহার: কিয়ামতের চূড়ান্ত মহাপ্রলয় ও হাশরের ময়দানের ভয়াবহতা

was considered good, contrary to the view of the later scholars, who even counted it among transgression (fisq).

Twenty-fourth: The Prophet (ﷺ) gave forewarning of two tribulations. Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: "Will there be evil after this good?" He replied: "Yes." I asked: "What will be the safeguard?" He said: "The sword." I asked: "And will there be anything left after the sword?" He replied: "Yes; leadership marred by grudges, and a truce tainted with smoke." I asked: "Then what?" He said: "Callers to misguidance will arise."

In another wording: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, we were living in ignorance and evil, then Allah brought us this good. Will there be any evil after this good?' He said: 'Yes.' I asked: 'And will there be any good after that evil?' He replied: 'Yes, but it will have smoke in it.' I asked: 'What is its smoke?' He said: 'A people who guide by other than my guidance; you will recognize some of what they do and disapprove of some.' I asked: 'Will there be any evil after that?' He replied: 'Yes; callers standing at the gates of Hellfire.' I said: 'Describe them to us.' He said: 'They are from our own skin...'" [to the end of the hadith].

Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab (may Allah be pleased with him) explained these two tribulations, saying: "The first tribulation erupted, and not a single participant of Badr remained alive; then the second took place, and not a single participant of al-Hudaybiyyah remained alive; and I believe that if the third occurs, it will not subside while there is any strength or wisdom left among the people."

Al-Baghawi said: "By the first tribulation, he meant the martyrdom of 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and by the second, the Battle of al-Harrah."

Thus, the first tribulation began with the martyrdom of 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) until the authority of Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) was firmly established. The second tribulation began with the death of Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) until the authority of 'Abd al-Malik was firmly established.

In the first hadith, the apostasy wars (al-Riddah) were counted among the tribulations due to their severe impact upon the Muslims; whereas in the second hadith, they were not counted because they took place between Muslims and disbelievers, not among the Muslims themselves.

Twenty-fifth: He (peace and blessings be upon him) delineated the era of Islam's supremacy and elevation up to the end of the caliphate of 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), after which he warned of tribulations.

A Bedouin asked: "Does Islam have an end, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: "Yes; whichever household among the Arabs and non-Arabs Allah intends good for, He will introduce Islam into their home; then tribulations will descend like dark canopies of clouds." The hadith was narrated by al-Baghawi.