Trials and the Signs of the Hour

His Eminence Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid –may Allah protect him? delivered this Friday’s Khutbah titled “Seditions and Unrests: Landmarks and Reflections” in which he talked about the seditions and unrests which the world is witnessing these days and showed the importance of returning, in dealing with them, to the Book, the Sunnah and the understanding of the righteous salaf. He also mentioned some landmarks and illuminating examples that light the way to anyone seeking the path of Truth.

Why did the Prophets warn their people about the Dajjaal when he will not emerge until the end of time? And when will the Dajjaal emerge?.

Are there any du’aa’s that we can say at times of calamity and tribulation, such as war and the kaafirs’ attacks against Muslim countries?.

Are these the times which are referred to in the hadeeth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), according to which when one of the Sahaabah asked him, “What should I do when there is too much fitnah and division?”, he replied, “Keep away from the people, and sit in your house”? In al-Saheeh, in Kitaab al-Fitan, Baab Kayf al-Haal idha lam yakun khaleefah, there is a hadeeth which says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told them to withdraw from people when calamities strike, and he said, “… even if you have to bite onto the root of a tree.” Please explain this hadeeth and tell us what the scholars said about it.

Question; The Islamic Future Magazine from Saudia Arabia in editorial feature stated that one of the signs of the last days were; that the Quran would disappear. I have not heard this. And how could it be true why we have many many hafis of Qurans.

Can you give us an idea about the Dajjaal, Al-Daabbah and Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj?

Like everything, the present universe will also come to an end, and it is a part of our faith to believe in the Last Day. The signs of the Day of Judgment have been foretold by our Prophet (peace be upon him). Ibn Kathir has collected all the prophesies of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his book Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah. In this volume, we have presented from them the signs of the Hour and the events that are yet to take place, although mentioning very few examples of those prophesies that have already been realized.

This booklet reminds the reader that worldly difficulties are a trial for the believers, while not disregarding the fact that more often afflictions result from one’s sins and disobedience to Allah. It also teaches how appropriate behavior and correct attitude can change an adversity into a worthwhile opportunity to achieve Allah’s Pleasure through Sabr, Shukr, Ihtisaab and Istirja, whereas impatience, panic and complaining can worsen one’s state of affairs. It also explains the futility of invoking the Prophets and the dead to remove hardships, and encourages calling upon Allah Alone to ease one’s affairs.

This is the translation of an extremely important book by the eminent scholar Ash-Shaikh Salih Aal-Shaikh. In it are essential guidelines from the Sunnah and the example of the sahabah, on how a Muslim should think and behave in situations of tribulations, trials or calamities.

In this article, Dr. Saleh As-Saleh discusses the issue of the contemporary fitan (trials). He shows the meaning of fitnah (trial), its types and its causes. Also he mentions some of its forms as: money, women, fear of people, following of motashaabeh (that which is not entirely clear on its own), following the ways of the disbelievers and ash-shubuhaat (misconceptions about Islam). Afterwards he shows the position of the Muslim towards fitan (trials). In addition, he illustrates ways through which we can avoid these fitan. These are seeking refuge with Allah from fitan, holding onto the book of Allah and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) according to the understanding of the companions and those who followed them from the righteous predecessors, and seeking the beneficial Islamic knowledge.

A fatwa regarding the Attitude towards Fitnah and how a muslim should handle it.

A refutation against those who deny the appearance of Mahdi, the coming of Dajjaal, and the descent of the Messiah at the end of time.

A lecture about:divisions of afflictions, dangers of suspicion afflictions,effect of ignorance and association with wicked people during afflictions,envy of jews and christians on muslims and the importance of adhering to Jama`a (The main body of the muslim community)

Prophet Mohammed told about the occurance of afflictions and their spread at the end of ages as a sign of the approach of the hour(day of judgement).Reasons of their spread are: farness of people from Allah’s religion, spread of ignorance and injustice and enthralling others.The way out of these afflictions is adhering to the quran and sunnah.

From things that cause splitting and separation among muslims what take place during calamities and trials like gossiping due to rashness, ignorance and absence of right proof and right opinion.Also in addition to the occurance of nature anger taking place due to the anxiety,anger,rashness and annoyance the man is suffering of when mixed up during calamities and trials.And it’s effect increase as reason of weakness of legitimate knowledge practically and theoretically.So it’s the muslim’s duty to be cautious not to lead himself astray in this world and the hereafter in addition to harm caused to others.That’s why these features extracted from quran , sunnah and scholars’ sayings to lead us during trials and calamities.

A lecture delivered by Sheikh Salah Abd Al Aziz Al Sheikh may Allaah protect him in the faculty of Shariah in 1425 a.h. showing the principles that should be known to get legitimacy rulings during crisis