Kindness to Children

Abu Hurairah (r.a.) reported:

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) kissed his grandson Al-Hasan bin `Ali (r.a.) in the presence of Al-Aqra` bin Habis. Thereupon he (Al-Aqra` bin Habis) remarked: "I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them." The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad s.a.w) looked at him and said,

 "He who does not show mercy to others will not be shown mercy".

(Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).



Once while passing by three children who were out playing, Nabi (s.a.w.) indicated towards one of them and lifted him onto his mount seating the child in front of him. He then lifted the second child and seated him behind himself on the mount. Now there remained no place on the mount so he placed his hand on the head of the third child and prayed for him. He did this thrice. (Musnad-e-Ahmed). This third child was the child of Hadhrat Jafar (r.a.)

(From the book' Nabi's love for children, his teaching and nurturing them' by Moulana Abu Talha Muhammad, Izharul Hasan Mahmood)


Allah's Messenger's (s.a.w.) love for his grand-daughter Sayyidah Umamah (r.a.)

She was the daughter of the eldest daughter of Allah's Messenger, Sayyidah Zainab (r.a.). She was greatly loved by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) He did not like to separate from her even when offering prayers. It is stated in Sahih Bukhari that one one occasion, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) came to the mosque with the child Umamah on his shoulders. He offered his prayer with Umamah mounted  upon him. When he lowered for ruku' or for sajdah, he put the child gently down  and mounted her again on his shoulders when ruku and prostration had been done.
Bukhari Vol.1 p.741.  Zurqani Vol.3 P.255.

Once a golden necklace was recieved by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) as a gift from Negus (Najashi of Ethiopia). Umamah was playing in the corner of the house. He said he would give it to the most beloved person. The wives of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) thought that it would go to Sayyida Aishah (r.a.). He called Umamah near him and put the garland in her neck. Some narrations say it was a golden ring.
Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd Vol.8, P.27.

(From the book 'Biographies of the Women Companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.)' by Maulana Saeed Ansari Nadvi, Maulana Abdul-Salam Nadvi, Allama Syed Suleman Nadvi)

The Narration of Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Saabit and Others About the Advice that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (r.a.) gave to Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) Before his death

Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Saabit, Hadhrat Zaid bin Zubayd bin Haarith and Hadhrat Mujaahid all report that when death approached Hadhrat Abu Bakr (r.a.), he summoned Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) and said,
"Fear Allaah, 0 Umar!
Take note that Allaah has some acts (owing to Him) during the night that He does not accept during the day and some acts (owing to Him) during the day that He does not accept during the night. Also note that Allaah does not accept Nafl acts until the Faraa'idh are fulfilled.
The scales of those with heavy scales on the Day of Qiyaamah have only become heavy because they have always followed the truth in this world and have had high regard for it. It is also the right of a scale in which the truth is placed tomorrow that it should weigh heavily. On the other hand, the scales of those with light scales on the Day of Qiyaamah have only become light because they have always followed falsehood in this world and have made light of it. It is also the right of a scale in which falsehood is placed tomorrow that it should weigh lightly.
Where Allaah has made mention of the people of Jannah, He has mentioned the best of their deeds and overlooked their sins. Whenever I think of them, I say, 'I fear that I may never join them.' Wherever Allaah has also made mention of the people of Jahannam, He has mentioned them by the worst of their actions and rejected their good deeds. Whenever I think of them, I say, 'I fear that I may be from amongst them.'
Allaah has mentioned verses of mercy and verses of punishment so that Allaah's servant should become hopeful (of Allah's mercy) and fearful (of His punishment). Never entertain false hopes in Allaah (by continuing with sin in the hope that you would be forgiven) but also never lose hope in Allaah's mercy. Never throw yourself into destruction by the doings of your own hands.
If you remember this advice of mine, there will never be an unseen thing more beloved to you than death, which will certainly come to you. However, if you put it to waste, there will never be an unseen thing more hated to you than death, which you will never be able to escape." 
Ibn Mubaarak, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hannaad, Ib'n Jareer and Abu Nu'aym in his Hilya, as quoted in Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal (Vol4 Pg.363).

(From Hayatus Sahabah by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (r.a.), Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) And An Old Blind Lady

Hadhrat Abu Saalih Ghifaari narrates that there was an extremely old blind lady living on the outskirts of Madinah whom Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) used to regularly visit at night. He would go there to fetch water for her (from the well) and do other chores for her. However, whenever he got to her, he would find that someone else had beat him there and had already seen to her needs. He went to her many times only to find that he was not the first to get there. (One day) he sat in wait for the person (who always beat him) and found that the person was Hadhrat Abu Bakr (r.a.).
Hadhrat Abu Bakr (r.a.) would tend to the old lady even though he was the Khalifah. Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) exclaimed, "By my life! It could only be you!"
Khateeb. as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vol.4 Pg.347).

Hadhrat Awzaa'ee reports that Hadhrat Talha (r.a.) once spotted Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) coming out (of his house) late at night. Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) entered a house and then another house. The following morning, Hadhrat Talha (r.a.) went to the house, where he found an old woman who was blind and crippled. Hadhrat Talha (r.a.) asked her, 'Why does that man come to you?" She then informed Hadhrat Talha (r.a.) that Hadhrat Umar (r.a.) had been frequently coming to her for many years to see to her needs and remove all the filth from her house. Hadhrat Talha (r.a.) then said to himself, "Shame on you, 0 Talha! Were you searching for faults in Umar?"
Abu Nu'aym in his Hilya (Vol.1 Pg.48).


(From Hayatus Sahabah by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)

50 Daily Prayers

 Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Holy Qur'an

"And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)."           (Holy Qur'an 51:56) 

When I read this verse of the Qur'an, I remember the hadith in Bukhari about the night of Al-Isra' wal Miraj (The Messenger of Allah's  (s.a.w.) journey to the Heavens). In this hadith Allah (s.w.t.) commanded the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) to tell the Muslims to pray 50 times a day. The story of this is in the following hadith and I have put two videos below which are very interesting and informative. These videos go into more detail about Al-Isra' wal Miraj and the prayers.

Here is part of the hadith:

Narrated Anas bin Malik (r.a.)

".....Among the things which Allah revealed to him then, was: "Fifty prayers were enjoined on his followers in a day and a night."

Then the Prophet descended till he met Moses, and then Moses stopped him and asked, "O Muhammad ! What did your Lord enjoin upon you?" The Prophet replied," He enjoined upon me to perform fifty prayers in a day and a night." Moses said, "Your followers cannot do that; Go back so that your Lord may reduce it for you and for them." So the Prophet turned to Gabriel as if he wanted to consult him about that issue. Gabriel told him of his opinion, saying, "Yes, if you wish." So Gabriel ascended with him to the Irresistible and said while he was in his place, "O Lord, please lighten our burden as my followers cannot do that." So Allah deducted for him ten prayers where upon he returned to Moses who stopped him again and kept on sending him back to his Lord till the enjoined prayers were reduced to only five prayers.

Then Moses stopped him when the prayers had been reduced to five and said, "O Muhammad! By Allah, I tried to persuade my nation, Bani Israel to do less than this, but they could not do it and gave it up. However, your followers are weaker in body, heart, sight and hearing, so return to your Lord so that He may lighten your burden."

The Prophet turned towards Gabriel for advice and Gabriel did not disapprove of that. So he ascended with him for the fifth time. The Prophet said, "O Lord, my followers are weak in their bodies, hearts, hearing and constitution, so lighten our burden." On that the Irresistible said, "O Muhammad!" the Prophet replied, "Labbaik and Sa'daik." Allah said, "The Word that comes from Me does not change, so it will be as I enjoined on you in the Mother of the Book." Allah added, "Every good deed will be rewarded as ten times so it is fifty (prayers) in the Mother of the Book (in reward) but you are to perform only five (in practice)."

The Prophet returned to Moses who asked, "What have you done?" He said, "He has lightened our burden: He has given us for every good deed a tenfold reward." Moses said, "By Allah! I tried to make Bani Israel observe less than that, but they gave it up. So go back to your Lord that He may lighten your burden further." Allah's Apostle said, "O Moses! By Allah, I feel shy of returning too many times to my Lord." On that Gabriel said, "Descend in Allah's Name." The Prophet then woke while he was in the Sacred Mosque (at Mecca). " 
                                                                                                                      (Sahih Bukhari   9 : 93 : 608)

The Story of Hadhrat Ka'b bin Maalik (r.a.)

Hadhrat Ka'b bin Maalik (r.a.) says, "Besides the military expedition to Tabook, I did not miss a single military expedition in which Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) participated. Of course, I did miss the Battle of Badr, but no one was reprimanded for missing that expedition because Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) had only intended to intercept a caravan of the Quraysh, after which Allaah brought the Muslims and their enemy together without any prearrangement. I was present on the night that the Pledge of Aqaba took place with Rasulullah (s.a.w.) this was the night that we pledged our allegiance to Islaam. I would not like to exchange that night for being at the Battle of Badr even though the Battle of Badr is more popularly spoken about amongst people. This is my story:

I was never more healthier or more financially prosperous than the time when I missed the (Tabook) expedition with Rasulullah (s.a.w.) I had never before owned two animals as I had at the time of the expedition. Until this expedition took place, it was always the practice of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) to conceal the destination and make it seem that he was heading in a different direction. When Rasulullah (s.a.w.) intended to march on this expedition, the heat was extreme, the journey was long and across barren land and the enemy were large in number. Rasulullah (s.a.w.) therefore disclosed the matter to the Muslims so that they could make proper preparations for the expedition. He informed the Muslims exactly where he intended marching.

The Muslims marching with Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) were so many that a single register could not contain their names. In fact, anyone who intended absenting himself knew that his absence would not be noted unless Allaah sent revelation about it. Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) left on this expedition at a time when the date crop and the shade was most appealing (because the dates were ripe for the picking and the intense heat drew everyone towards the shade). However, the Muslims started their preparations along with Rasulullaah (s.a.w.). Each morning I left to start my preparations with the other Muslims but returned home every time without doing anything, telling myself that I have the means to prepare (and can even do so at short notice). This procrastination continued until others had prepared in earnest and the morning arrived when  Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) marched with the Muslims. By then I had still not yet made any preparations but told myself that I would get ready in a day or two and then catch up with them. After they had left, I started the morning with the intention of making preparations, but returned home without accomplishing anything. The next morning was the same and again I returned home without accomplishing anything. This continued happening to me and the Muslims marched very fast until every chance of catching up with the expedition was lost. I had a firm resolve to ride out to meet them and wish that I had. However, I was never destined to do so.

When I walked amongst the people after Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) had left, it saddened me greatly to see only people whose hearts were tainted by hypocrisy or ailing people whom Allaah had excused (staying behind). Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) made no mention of me until the Muslims had reached Tabook. As he was sitting amongst the others at Tabook, he asked, 'What has happened to Ka'b?' Someone from the Banu Salma tribe commented, '0 Rasulullaah! His fine clothing (wealth) has obstructed him.' Hadhrat Mu'aadh bin Jabal (r.a.) interjected by saying, 'You have made a terrible statement!, 0 Rasulullaah! I swear by Allaah that we only know him to be an excellent person.' Rasulullah (s.a.w.) remained silent."

Hadhrat Ka'b bin Maalik (r.a.) continues to narrate, "When the news reached me that Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) was returning, I became worried and started thinking of false excuses. I asked myself what I could do to avert the anger of Rasulullah (s.a.w.) and I also sought advice from every wise person of my family. When the news arrived that Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) was about arriving, all false excuses vanished from my mind and I knew that I could never come out of the situation with anything connected to lies. I therefore resolved to tell Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) the truth.

Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) arrived and according to his normal practice after returning from a journey, he proceeded to the Masjid where he performed two Rakaahs of salaah. He then sat to meet with people. As Rasulullah (s.aw.) did this, those who stayed behind started approaching him and to present their excuses. They numbered eighty odd men and even took oaths before Rasulullah (s.a.w.) (to substantiate their excuses). Rasulullah (s.a.w.) accepted their excuses at face value, renewed their pledges of allegiance and sought Allaah's forgiveness on their behalf. He then handed over the inner details of their affairs to Allaah.

When I approached Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) and greeted him with Salaam, he smiled the smile of an angry person and said, 'Do come forward.' I walked to him and sat in front of him. He asked, 'What kept you behind? Had you not already purchased your conveyance?' I responded by saying, 'That's true. By Allaah! Had I been sitting before someone other than you from amongst worldly men, I would have certainly escaped your anger by making some excuse because I have been given the ability to present convincing arguments. However, I swear by Allaah that if I lie to you today and manage to secure your pleasure, the time will soon come when Allaah shall make you angry with me. On the other hand, if I tell you the truth and you become angry with me, I have strong hopes of Allaah's forgiveness. I swear by Allaah that I really had no excuse. By Allaah! I was never more healthier or more financially prosperous than the time when I missed the expedition.' Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said , 'At least this man had spoken the truth. You may leave (and wait) until Allaah decides your matter.'

As I stood up, some men from the Banu Salma tribe (to which I belonged) also stood up and followed me. They said to me, 'By Allaah! We have never known you to commit a sin before this! Could you not make an excuse like the others who stayed behind had made excuses? The forgiveness that Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) would
 have sought on your behalf should have then sufficed for our sin.' They kept scolding me in this manner so much that I actually made up my mind to return to Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) and deny whatever I had told him. I then asked them, 'Has anyone else experienced the same treatment as I have?' They replied, 'Yes. The others said what you did and received the same reply you received.' 'Who are they?' I asked. 'Muraarah bin Rabee Amri and Hilaal bin Umayyah Waaqifl,' came the reply. The two men they named were two righteous men who had participated in the Battle of Badr and who made excellent examples to follow. I therefore went on my way when they mentioned these two names to me.

Rasulullaah (s.a.w) subsequently prevented people from speaking only to the three of us as opposed to the others who had missed the expedition. People avoided us and ignored us so much so that even the earth seemed like a different place to me. It was not the same place I had been used to. We remained in this condition for fifty days. My two companions became helpless and confined themselves to their homes, weeping excessively. Since I was the youngest and most daring of us, I used to go out and join the Muslims for salaah. I even walked about in the marketplace but no one spoke to me. When Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) sat in gatherings after salaah, I would approach him and greet him with Salaam. I would then ask myself whether his lips moved in reply to my Salaam or not. I also performed salaah close to Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) and steal a glance at him. I noticed that whenever I was engaged in salaah, he looked at me and would avert his glance as soon as I turned towards him.

The time eventually arrived when the attitude of the people became too much to bear, I walked to the orchard of Abu Qataadah and scaled the wall. He was my cousin and my best friend. I swear by Allaah that he did not even reply to my Salaam when 1 greeted him. I protested by saying, 'O Abu Qataadah! I ask you in the name of Allaah to tell me whether I have love for Allaah and His Rasool (s.a.w.)? ' When he gave no reply, I repeated the question and again asked in the name of Allaah. He remained silent. Yet again, I repeated myself and took the name of Allaah. All he said was, 'Allaah and Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) know best.' My eyes welled with tears and I turned around to again scale the wall."

Continuing with the story, Hadhrat Ka'b (r.a.) says, "As I was walking in the marketplace one day, I heard the voice of a farmer from the farmers of Shaam who had come to Madinah to sell his grains. He was announcing, 'Who will show me where is Ka'b bin Maalik?' As the people pointed him in my direction, he handed over to me a letter from the king of Ghassaan (wrapped in a silken cloth).

The letter read:

'The news has reached me that your master is being harsh towards you. Allaah has not made you a lowly and ruined person. Join forces with us and we shall honour you.'

After reading the letter, I said to myself, 'This is part of the test.' I then went to an oven where I burnt the letter. when forty of the fifty days had passed, a messenger of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) suddenly came to me with the message that  I was to separate from my wife. 'Should I divorce her?' I asked. 'No,' he replied, 'Just be separated from her and do not go near her.' The same message was sent to my two companions. I then said to my wife, 'Go to your family and stay with them until Allaah decides this matter.'

The wife of Hadhrat Hilaal bin Umayyah (r.a.) approached Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) and pleaded, '0 Rasulullaah! Hilaal bin Umayyah is an extremely old and helpless man who has no servant. Would you object if I serve him?' 'No,' replied Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) Just ensure that he has no intimate relations with you.' She commented, 'By Allaah! He has no inclination to do anything. By Allaah! He has wept continuously since this affair started and continues to do so."'

Hadhrat Ka'b (r.a.) continues, "Some of my family members advised me to also request that my wife stays to serve me as Hilaal bin Umayyah (r.a.) had requested permission. I told them that I would never seek such permission from Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) for I do not know what reply Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) would give me as a young man (who can care for himself). I then remained in this condition (without my wife) for ten days until full fifty nights had passed since Rasulullaah banned others from speaking to us.

After performing the Fajr salaah on the morning of the fiftieth night, I was still on the roof of my house and sitting there in the condition. that Allaah describes in the Qur'aan (in verse 118 of Surah Taubah); the earth had narrowed for me despite its vastness (I could find no place to hide myself) and my own soul had narrowed for me (I had become frustrated with myself). It was then that I heard the voice of a caller who had climbed to the top of Mount Sala. He announced at the top of his voice, 'Rejoice, 0 Ka'b!' I immediately fell prostrate in Sajdah for I knew that relief had arrived.

Afer performing the Fajr salaah, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) had announced to the people that Allaah had accepted our repentance. Many people came to congratulate us and went to congratulate my two companions. As someone (Hadhrat Zubayr bin Awaam -) spurred his horse to reach me, a man from the Banu Aslam (Hadhrat Hamzah bin Amr Aslami (r.a.)) tribe rushed to climb the hill and his voice was faster than the horse. When the person whose voice I had heard came to me, I took off the two sheets of cloth I was wearing and gave them to him (in thanks) for the good news he had given me. I swear by Allaah that I had no other clothes besides this at the time. I therefore borrowed some clothes and went to Rasulullaah (s.a.w.).  Droves of people came to congratulate me on my repentance saying, 'Congratulations! Allaah has accepted your repentance.'

When I eventually reached the Masjid, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) was sitting there surrounded by people. It was Talha bin Ubaydillaah (r.a.) who stood up and rushed towards me to shake my hands and to congratulate me. By Allaah! No other person from amoligst the Muhaajireen stood up to receive me. I shall never forget this gesture of Talha (r.a.). I then greeted Rasulullaah (s.a.w.). With his face beaming with delight, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) said, 'Rejoice about the best day that has passed you since the day you were born. I asked, 'Is this from your side, O Rasulullaah or from Allaah?' Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) replied, 'It is from Allaah's side.' Whenever Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) was happy, his face would shine and appear to be a portion of the moon. We would therefore always recognise when he was happy. When I sat in front of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) I said, 'O Rasulullaah (s.a.w.)! As part of my Taubah, I wish to give all my wealth as Sadaqah for the pleasure of Allaah and His Rasool.' Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) advised, 'It would be best if you keep some of your wealth for yourself.' 'I shall then keep my allotted piece of land in Khaybar,' I said. I added, 'O Rasulullaah! Allaah has saved me because of the truth I spoke and as part of my repentance, I shall speak only the truth as long as I live.'

By Allaah! I do not know of any Muslim whom Allaah had given a better reward than Allaah had given me from the time I spoke the truth to Rasulullaah (s.a.w.). From the time I mentioned this to, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) I have not spoken any lies up to this day and hope that Allaah protects me from it as long as I remain alive.

Allaah has revealed the following verse to Rasulullaah (s.a.w.)

'Allaah has certainly turned in mercy towards the Nabi (s.a.w.) and towards the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar who followed him in the hour of difficulty (to Tabook) after the hearts of some of them were almost shaken (causing them to hesitate). Without doubt, He is Most Compassionate and Most Merciful towards them (by blessing them with steadhstness and devotion). And Allaah (has also turned in mercy to wards) the three (Sahaaba, namely Muraarah bin Rabee (r.a.), Kab bin Maalik (r.a.) and Hilaal bin Umayyah (r.a.)) whose matter (forgiveness for not marching to Tabook) was postponed (for fifty days) until the earth narrowed for them despite its vastness (and they could find no place to hide themselves), their own souls narrowed for them (they became frustrated with themselves) and they were convinced that there was no safety from Allaah except (in turning) towards Him. Then Allaah turned towards them (in mercy) so that they (could) turn to Him (in repentance). Indeed Allaah is Most Pardoning, Most Merciful. Oyou who have Imaan! Fear (the punishment of Allaah (by doing good and abstaining from sin) and stay (associate) with the truthful.' {Surah Taubah, verses 117-119}

I swear by Allaah that after guiding me to Islaam, Allaah has not granted me a greater blessing than making me speak the truth to Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) rather than lying, thereby causing me to be destroyed like those who had lied. When Allaah sent revelation, he used the worst of terms for those who had lied than for anyone else. Allaah states:

'When you (0 Rasulullaah) return to them (the Munaafiqeen) shortly (in Madinah) they will swear before you by Allaah (that they had valid reasons for not accompanyingyou), so that you may leave them alone (and do not admonish them). Pay no attention to them! They (their beliefs and actions) are impure! Their abode shall be Jahannam as a punishment forwhat (evil deeds) they earned. They swear (oaths) before you (0 Rasulullaah) that you may be pleased with them.
(However,) Even if you are pleased with them, Allaah is certainly not pleased with the disobedient ones (Muslims should therefore not maintain close ties with such people).' {Surah Taubah, verses 95,96}

The matter of the three of us was postponed until after the matter of those whose excuses Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) had accepted. When they swore oaths before Rasulullaah he renewed their pledges of allegiance and sought Allaah's forgiveness for them. Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) then postponed our matter until Allaah had passed judgement. It is with reference to this that Allaah says: 'And Allaah (has also turned in mercy towards) the three whose matter was postponed.. .' {Surah Taubah, verse 118)

In this verse, Allaah is not referring to our staying behind from the expedition but to the postponement of our case after deciding the case of the others who had sworn oaths before Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) and who had made excuses that Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) accepted.

Bukhari, Muslim and Ibn Is'haaq. Ahmad has also reported the narration with some additions, as quoted in Al Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.5 Pg.23). Abu Dawood and Nasa'ee have also reported the narration in parts and with more brevity and Tirmidhi has reported a part of the beginning. These are quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (Vo1.4 Pg.366). Bayhaqi (Vo1.9 Pg.33) has also reported the narration in detail.

(From Hayatus Sahabah by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)

Guard the Salaat

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Imam Mahdi, The Dajjal, Prophet Isa (Jesus pbuh) and Yajooj and Majooj (Gog and Magog)

Hadrat Mahdi (r.a.)

 The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "Prophethood will remain among you as long as Allah wishes it to remain, and then Allah will remove it when He wishes to remove it. Then there will be a caliphate based on prophethood, and it will last as long as Allah wishes. Then Allah will remove it wh...en He wishes. Then there will be a proud kingdom, and it will last as long as Allah wills. Then Allah will remove it when he wishes. Then there will be a caliphate based on Prophethood." Then he was silent. (Ahmad, Tabarani)

The Prophethood referred to in the hadith is the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), then after Prophethood came the rightly-guided caliphate: that of Abu Bakr (r.a.), Umar (r.a.) Uthman (r.a.) and Ali (r.a.). After that is the inherited kingdom, then the Mahdi will be victorious so that there will be once more caliphate based on prophethood as the hadith states.

'Abdullah ibn 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ood (r.a.) related that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "Even if there remains from this world only a single day, Allah would prolong that day until a man from me or from my descendents is sent. His name is the same as my name, and his father's name is the same as my father's name." (Abu Dawood)

Abu Sa'id al Khudri (r.a.) narrates that Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said "The Mahdi will be from my progeny. He will have a wide forehead and a high thin nose. He will fill the earth with equity and justice just as it was filled with oppression and tyranny. He will rule for seven years." (Abu Dawud)



 Remaining Hidden Until His Emergence

(from 'The Emergence of Mahdi' by Mufti Mahmud bin Maulana Sulayman Bardoli)

After the study of Ahadith we realize that the emergence of Hadrat Mahdi has been kept hidden until a specified time. When the time for his emergence comes, this secret will suddenly be opened for the people, by Allah (swt). It is also surprising to note that Hadrat Mahdi will not be acquainted with his status. This is learnt from the following narration:

Hadrat Ali (r.a.) narrates that Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said, "Mahdi will be from us, the Ahl al Bayt, Allah will bless him with the capacity overnight." (Ibn Majah,Ahmad)

Allah will bless him with the capacity to rule and hold the position of khalifah suddenly overnight. (Anjah Al Hajah)

Ibn Kathir writes in the commentary of this hadith: Allah will bless him with His special favour and will grant him divine ability, thereby inspiring him with this reality and making him acquainted with his position of which he was unaware. (An Nihayah fi Al Fitan wa Al Malahim vol.1. p.31)

The characteristics and good qualities of Hadrat Mahdi will remain hidden and unknown until the time for his emergence comes, in His infininite power, Allah (swt) will create all the abilities within him to rule in a single night. 


 Emergence of Sufyani

He will be from the desert part of Damascus in Sham. He will move to the corners of Sham and Egypt. Sufyani is a great tyrant and oppressor who will kill infants and carry out general massacres.

Hadrat Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) narrates that Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said, A person called Sufyani will come out of Damascus. Most of his followers will be of the Banu Kalb. He will kill to such an extent that he will rip the bellies of women and murder their children. The tribe of Qays will gather a force against him. He will kill them until no one will remain. Then a person of my family (Hadrat Mahdi) will emerge from Hira. When this news reaches Sufyani, he will send out one of his armies. He (Hadrat Mahdi) will defeat them all. Sufyani will then face him with his own army. When they (the army of Sufyani) will reach Bayda, the earth will swallow them. None of them will remain except the informant. (Mustadrak ala As Sahihayn vol.4 p.565, Hadith 8586)

The crux of this, is, when he will hear of the emergence of Hadrat Mahdi, he will immediately send one of his armies to face him. This army will head for Makkah Mukkarramah and will encamp at Bayda. Suddenly, the centre part of the army will inform those at the back, so that they do not fall into the same predicament. However, before they can resort to any plan to save themselves, they will be sunken too. The sinking of this large army into earth will be (a manifestation of) the help of Allah (swt) and it will be a miracle that will make Hadrat Mahdi famous in far away lands.

When Sufyani will hear of the sinking of the army, he will set out himself for Makkah Mukkarahmah. He will launch an attack there. Under the leadership of Hadrat Mahdi, the Muslims will be very weak as far as equipment is concerned. It will be like the scene of Badr, but, the help of Allah (swt) will come and the army of Sufyani will be heavily defeated. (from 'The Emergence of Mahdi' by Mufti Mahmud bin Maulana Sulayman Bardoli)

The fame and acceptance of Hadrat Mahdi will become widespread after his emergence and the defeat of Sufyani and his forces.

Umm Salamah (r.a.) the wife of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "There will be discord when a Khaleefah (ruler) dies. A man from the inhabitants of Madina will flee to Makkah, and people will come to him from the dwellers of Makkah. They will bring him out (from his home), yet he will be averse to what they want of him (either because of the trials associated with being leader or because he is fearing trials). Then they will pledge allegiance to him between the Rukn (i.e. the Black Stone) and the Maqaam (the Station of Ibrahim). An army will be sent to (attack) him from Sham (Syria and surrounding areas) and they will be swallowed up in Al-Baidaa - a place between Makkah and Al-Madinah. When people will see that (i.e. the honour accorded to Al-Mahdi), the Abdall from Sham will come to him and the best people from Iraq will come and pledge allegiance to him. Then a man from the Quraish will appear; his uncles are from the children of Kalb. He will send an army to them but they (i.e. those who pledged allegiance) will be victorious over them....Wealth would be distributed and the people will apply the Sunnah of their Prophet (s.a.w.) Islam will achieve stability and fairness in the earth. That will last for seven years, after which the Mahdi will die and the Muslims will pray over him." (Abu Dawood)



The Black Flags

 Once his (Imam Mahdi's) emergence is well known, Muslim armies as well as Muslims from Iraq, Syria,Yemen, Medina, (Pakistan and elsewhwere) as well as a large number of Arabs will present themselves before the Imam (Mahdi) and pledge their allegiance to him. One person from Khurasan will prepare a huge army and despatch them towards Mecca with the intention of helping Imam Mahdi. The armies leader will be a man by the name of Mansoor. Enroute this army will encounter many enemies, which it will conquer. (from Islam, Jesus, Mehdi, Qadyanis and Doomsday by Professor Mohammad Abdullah)

According to Buraidah (r.a) the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: " There will be many armies after me. You must join that army which will come from Khurasan." (Ibn Adi)

According to Abu Huraira (r.a.) the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "Armies carrying black flags will come from Khurasan. No power will be able to stop them and they will finally reach Bela (Baitul Maqdas in Jerusalem) where they will erect their flags." (Tirmizi)

'Alqamah related that 'Abdullah (r.a.) said: As we were with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) his eyes became bathed in tears and his colour changed. I said 'We still see something in your face (in terms of the Prophet's sadness) that we dislike.' The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, 'Allah has chosen for us, the people of this household, the Hereafter over this world. And indeed, after me (the people of) my house will face affliction, expulsion, and exile, until a people from the direction of the East will come with black flags. They will ask for bread but they will not be given it. They will fight and they will be made victorious. Then they will be given what they asked, but they will not accept it until they pass it (the matter of ruling) on to a man from the people of my household. He will fill it (i.e. the earth) with justice, just as it had been filled with oppression. Whoever from you reaches that, then go to them, even if you have to crawl on ice." (Ibn Majah)



The Appearance of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ)

The Dajjal will appear during the time of Hadrat Mahdi (r.a). There will be a time of drought preceding him.

According to Asma bint Yazeed (r.a.). "Once the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) came to my house and there he spoke about the Dajjal. He said that before the emergence there will be three spells of drought. In one year the skies will withold one third of its rains, causing the earth to withold one third of its produce. In the second year the skies will withold two thirds of its rains causing the earth to withold two thirds of its produce. In the third year the skies will withold all its water and there will be no crops that year. All animals be they hooved or toothed will die as a result.The greatest evil of the Dajjal will be to approach anyone and ask him, 'If I bring your camel back to life, will you then believe that I am your God (Rabb)?' The person will reply 'Most certainly' Thereafter a devil (Shaitan) from the many devils who will always accompany Dajjal, will appear before this person in the form of his camel, with a fat hump and fully laden udders.
 Similarly Dajjal will appear before another person whose father and brother have long died and ask him. "If I bring your father and brother back to life will you believe that I am your God?" The person will reply "Why not?" The devils will once again take on the appearance of his brother and father..." (Ahmad)



He will claim to be a Prophet and later claim to be God (Allah).

Sulaimaan ibn Shihaab Al-Qeesee said: "Abdullah ibn Mughnim (r.a.) who was one of the Prophet's Companions, came down and related to me that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said 'Ad-Dajjal: there is nothing hidden about him. He will come from the East. He will call to the truth, and he will be followed. He will go on behalf of the people and fight them, and he will be victorious over them. He will continue upon that state until he reaches Kufa. There he will manifest Allah's religion and apply it, and for that he will be followed and loved. But then after that he will say 'Indeed I am a Prophet.'

Every person of sound mind will be alarmed by that, and as a result will part from him. Later on he will say, 'I am Allah.' Allah will cover his eyes; his ears will be cut and 'Kaafir' (disbeliever) will be written between his eyes, and that will not be hidden to any Muslim.

Any person who has a mustard-seed amount of Eemaan (faith) in his heart will then part from him. His companions will be from the Jews, the Magian, the Christians, and these foreigners from the polytheists. Then, according to what they see, he will call a man, order for him to be brought, and then he will kill him. Next, he will cut the body into (two) pieces, (displaying) each piece separately. He will separate between the two, so that the people can see them. After that, he will gather them back together, strike (the body) with a rod, and suddenly the man will be standing. The Dajjal will say, 'I am Allah, I bring to life and cause death." (At-Tabaraanee)

That is magic which he will use on the people; he will not really do any of that. (Ibn Kathir 'Book of the End' p.136)

He will travel the enire world but he will be unable to enter Mecca and Madina because of the angels guarding them. He will send down rains upon those who believe in him, which in turn will cause crops to grow, trees to bear fruits and cattle to grow fat.

His mischiefs will last 40 days, in which one day will equal a year and one day equals one month, and one day equals one week. The rest of the days will be as usual.

 

 

Description of Dajjal

Abu Lailah ibn Abi Umayyah related that a group of people entered upon Mu'aadh Ibn Jabal (r.a.) when he was sick. They said to him, "Relate to us a Hadith that you heard from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) and that you have not forgotten?" He said, "Help me sit down." Some of the people took him by the hand while others seated themselves behind him. He said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) say, "There was no Prophet that did not warn his nation about the Dajjaal, and I am indeed warning you about his affair. He is one-eyed, and indeed, my Lord 'Azza wa-Jall (to Him belongs Might and Majesty) is not one-eyed. Written between the eyes of the Dajjaal is kafir (disbeliever). Every literate and illiterate one will read it. He will have with him a paradise and a fire; in reality, his fire is paradise and his paradise is fire." Our Shaykh, Al-Haafidh Adh-Dhahabee, said, "Khunais was the only one who related it, and we know of nothing to take away from his reputation as a narrator. And its chain is authentic." (found in Book of the End by Ibn Kathir)
 
According to Ubaidah bin Samit (r.a.) the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) once said. "I have explained Dajjal to you, but I fear you might not have understood. Masih Dajjal will be short and his legs will be crooked. The hair on his head will be extremely twisted. He will have one eye with which he can see, and this is the protuding eye (about which other Hadith inform us) his other eye will be totally flat. It will neither be deep in its socket nor protuding. If you have any doubt regarding him then remember your Sustainer (God) is not one-eyed (because Dajjal will eventually claim to be God) (1)

 Test of faith

According to Imran bin Husain (r.a.), the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said,. "Those who hear about the Dajjal should stay far away from him. By Allah! A person will approach him thinking him to be a believer but on seeing his amazing feats he will be a follower." (Abu Dawood)

Safeenah (r.a.), a freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said,: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), gave us a sermon and said, 'Lo! Verily, there was no Prophet before me except that he warned his nation about the Dajjaal; he is 'Aawar (one-eyed) from the right eye. On his right eye is coarse skin, and written between his eyes is kafir (disbeliever). Two valleys will come out with him; one of them is his paradise and the other is his fire: in reality, his fire is paradise and his paradise is fire. With him are two angels who resemble two Prophets; had I wished to give their names (i.e. of the two Prophets) and the name of their fathers, I would have done so. One of them is on his right, and the other is on his left, and that is Fitnah (trial). The Dajjaal will say: 'Am I not your Lord? Do I not give life and cause death?' One of the two angels will say: 'You have lied.' But none of the people will hear him; only his companion (the other angel) hears him, and he will respond: 'You have spoken the truth.' The people will hear him and think that he is approving of and confirming the Dajjaal — and that is Fitnah (trial). He will continue moving until he tries to enter Al-Madeenah, but permission to enter it will not be given to him. He will say: 'This is the village of that man.' Then he will continue to travel until he reaches Ash-Sham, and Allah will destroy him at 'Aqabah Afeeq."' (Ahmad)
Ahmad alone related it; its chain is okay but the text has Gharaabah and Nakaarah in it. And Allah (s.w.t) knows best. (Ibn Kathir, 'Book of the End')



The Descension of Isa (Jesus) the son of Mary (a.s)

I have taken the following from 'Islam, Jesus, Mehdi, Qadyanis and Doomsday' by Professor Mohammad Abdullah. In this book the hadith have been summarised into setences.

• The night will be dark (Muslim) 
• People will be getting ready for war (Muslim)
• In the dark of the morning they will hear someone saying your helper has come. People will be surprised. It is the voice of someone properly fed. (Ahmed)
• Prophet Isa (Jesus) (a.s) will descend at the time of Fajr prayer. (Muslim)
• His both hands (and arms) will be on two angels shoulders. (Muslim)
• He would look like Urwa Masood (r.a) the Companion. (Muslim)
• Height medium. Colour red and white. (Ahmed, Abu Dawood)
• His hair hanging down his shoulders, straight, clean and shining as if after a bath. (Abu Dawood, Bukhari, Ahmed)
• When he bends his head water will (or appear to) twinkle like pearls. (Muslim)
• There will be an armour and (Muammar)
• Two light yellow clothes on the body. (Muslim, Abu Dawood, Ahmed)
• Jesus (a.s.) will descend on eastern white minaret of the Damascus grand Mosque or in Baitul Muqqadas near Imam Mahdi. (Muslim, Tibrani)
• At that time Imam Mahdi would have moved forward to lead the Fajr prayer. (Ibne Majah)
• Iqamah of the Salah (prayer) would have been said (Muslim)
• Imam Mahdi will invite Jesus (a.s.) for leading the prayer but he will turn down the offer and say... (Muslim, Hakim, Ahmed)
• This is an honour of this Ummah (Nation) that some would be leader (Imam) over some. (Muslim, Ahmed)
• When Imam Mahdi will go back, Jesus (a.s.) will put his hand on his back saying him to lead the prayer. (Ibn Majah, Ahmed, Hakim)
• Because the Iqamah has been recited for you (Ibn Majah)
• Imam Mahdi will lead the prayer that time then. (Bukhari, Muslim)

War with Anti-Christ (Dajjal)

• After fajr prayers, Jesus will have the door opened, behind which will be the Dajjal with 70,000 Jews (armed with weapons). (Ibn Majah)
• He will point out with his hands to get away between him and the Dajjal. (Hakim)
• Dajjal will begin to melt on seeing Jesus (a.s.) like salt in water (or fat melts). (Muslim)
• Any Kafir who wil recieve the air of Jesus' breath will die. His breath will reach as far as his sight goes. (Muslim)
• Muslims will get down the mountain and attack Dajjal's army. The Jews will be so frightened that a strong person among them could not lift his weapon.. (Muammar)
• There will be war. (Hakim)
• Dajjal will run away. (Ibn Majah)

Destruction of the Dajjal and Muslim victory

• Jesus (a.s.) will chase him. (Muslim, Ahmed)
• He will kill the Dajjal at Babul Ludd in Palestine. (now in Israel) (Tirmizi)
• Jesus will show the blood on the weapon to Muslims. (Muslim)
• His (Dajjal's) companions (the Jews ) will be fiercely defeated. (Ibn Majah, Ahmed)
• From the neighbourhood, those people who survived the atrocities of Dajjal will come to Jesus (a.s.) who will give them the good news of high places in Paradise. (Muslim)
• Then they will return to their homeland. (Ahmed)
• A group of Muslims will stay in his service and company. (Tirmizi)
• Jesus will move to 'Fajjur Rooha', from where he will go to Hajj (and/or Umra.) (Muslim, Ahmed, Hakim)
• He will say "salam" at the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and he will reply to him (Hakim)

   (1) I don't know which book this hadith is recorded in but I found it in 'Islam, Jesus, Mehdi, Qadyanis and Doomsday' by Professor Mohammad Abdullah    

             



Yajooj and Majooj (Gog and Magog)

• People will be living happily when the wall will be broken. (Hakim)
• And Yajooj and Majooj will come out. (Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmizi)
• Allah will ask Jesus to collect the Muslims in Mount Sinai, because nobody could fight them. (Muslim)

(The following is adapted from the page here at central-mosque.com aticle and the article Ya'juj Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) By Shaykh Ahmed Ali)

Many thousands of years ago the barbarous tribes of Yajuj and Ma'juj were imprisoned behind an iron wall built by Zulqarnayn. Referred to in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Kahf. Zulqarnayn was a Muslim Arab (fathul bari) who lived at the time of the Prophet Ibraheem and not Alexander the Great as it is commonly known. From amongst one of the four that ruled the entire world (the other three being Prophet Sulayman, Nimrod & Buktnasr) he was a pious and just king, provide with all forms of strength through which he was able to carry his conquests and missions.

Once he carried a mission in three directions, the far west, far east, and then in a northerly direction. Travelling first in the westerly direction, he conquered the lands he passed through establishing the laws of Allah therein until he reached the setting of the sun. There he met people that didn't believe in Allah. Given a choice of punishing them for their kufr or being lenient by inviting them first to Islam; he chose the latter and addressed them, ''Those evil-doers who do injustice to themselves by rejecting Allah will be punished by death in this world and the hereafter, the fire of hell is their abode. As for those who accept the invitation and believe in Allah they will be treated leniently and in the hereafter Jannah is their place of rest.''

After the journey towards the west he made preparation for the journey towards the east. Conquering the lands he passed through, establishing he laws of Allah therein. He continued travelling in the easterly direction until he reached the rising of the sun. In this area of the east he saw a nation receiving the sunshine without any obstruction and they were dealt with like the previous people in the west.

After the journey to the east he started his northern Journey. He kept on travelling until he reached the midst of two mountains, it was here he came across a tribe who complained to him about the tribes of Ya'juj and Ma'juj. Ya'juj and Ma'juj inhabited the land behind the mountains, plundered them, committed bloodshed, and then ran away. Observing Zulqarnain's power they asked to set a barrier in return for a wage for their protection from the disaster and bloodshed, which they often bore at the hands of Ya'juj Ma'juj. Refusing to accept any wealth he built an iron wall with their help which Ya'juj Ma'juj could not cross or pierce. (Qurtubi/ Ibne-Kathir)



Verses from Surah Al-Kahf

Thereafter he followed a way. [92]
Until when he reached between the two mountains, he found on their hither side a people who did not seem to understand anything said. [93] 
They said, "0 Dhul-Qarnain, the Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) are mischief-makers on the earth. So shall we set for you a revenue, provided that you make a barrier between us and them?' [94] 
He said, 'That which my Lord has placed under my control is better, so help me with strength and I shall make a rampart between you and them. [95] 
Bring me ingots of iron." (They proceeded accordingly) until when he leveled up (the gap) between the two mountain-sides, he said, "Blow." (They complied) until when he made it (like) fire, he said, ''Bring me molten copper and I will pour it upon this." [96]
So they (Ya’juj and Ma’juj) were not able to climb it, nor were they able to make a hole in it. [97]
He said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord. Then, when the promise of my Lord will come, He will make it leveled to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is always true." [98]

The emergence of the mighty tribes of Ya'juj and Ma'juj is also a major sign of Qiyamah. Allah says in the Qur'an, "When Ya'juj and Ma'juj are let loose (from their Barrier) and they swiftly swarm from every mound" (Surah Al-Anbiya)

Allah says in the Qur'an, " (Zulqarnain) said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down (the barrier) to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is ever true." (Surah Al-Kahf)

Zainab-b-Zahash (r.a.) says: "Once the Prophet awoke from such a sleep that his face was red and these words were on his tongue, "There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Destruction is upon the Arabs on account of that evil which has come close to them. Today a hole as big as this has opened in the wall of Yajuj and Ma'juj. (The Prophet indicated the size of the hole with his finger and thumb)" (Bukhari/Muslim)

Regarding the rest of their antecedents, the Hadith of Sayyidna An-Nawwas ibn Sam'an (r.a) is most detailed and sound in authority. It has been reported in the Sahih of Muslim and in all books of Ahadith recognized for their authenticity and Hadith experts declare it to be sound and authentic. This Hadith carries details concerning the appearance of Dajjal (anti-Christ), the coming of Sayyidna 'Isa and then, the appearance of Ya’juj Ma’juj. A translation of this entire Hadith is being given below:

Sayyidna an-Nawwas ibn Sam'an (RA) says that one morning the Holy Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) mentioned Dajjal (anti-Christ) and while doing that he said a few things which showed the low and negative aspect of his profile (such as his being one-eyed). Then, he also said a few things about him to the effect that his emergence was a matter of ominous trial (such as Paradise and Hell being with him and other extra-ordinary aspects of his persona). His narration (gripped us with such fear) as if Dajjal was lurking somewhere (in the nearby) grooves of the date palms.

 When we presented ourselves before him in the evening, he read our confused inner condition and asked, 'What is the matter with you?' (What did you conclude from what I had said?). We submitted, 'You talked about Dajjal in the morning. Of things you said about him some seemed to belittle the matter of his emergence while you also said other things which seemed to highlight his matter to proportions of a great trial to the extent that we thought he was present close to us in the grooves of the date-palms!' Then he said, 'Not just the Dajjal, there are other trials I fear may afflict you more (that is, the trial of Dajjal is not as great as you have taken it to be). If he appears - and I am among you - I shall confront him personally without you. And if he appears and I am not among you - everyone will try to confront him in terms of his courage. And Allah is, in my absence, the guardian and protector of all Muslims. (You will recognize him as) a young man - hard curly hair, one eye protruding upwards (blind in the other as in other narratives). And if I can liken him (in this ugly profile) with someone, it is 'Abd al-'Uzza ibn Qatan (an ugly person from the tribe of Banu Khuza'ah during the Jahiliyyah). If a Muslim from among you runs into him, he should recite the initial verses of Surah al-Kahf against him (which will keep him protected from Dajjal). Dajjal will emerge from the empty space between Syria and 'Iraq creating havoc right and left. 0 servants of Allah, you then stay firm against him.' We said, 'Ya Rasulallah, and how long will he tarry on the Earth?' He said, 'Forty days. But, the first day will be equal to one year, and the second day to one month, and the rest of the days equal to the usual.' We said, 'Ya Rasulallah, so on that day which will be equal to one year, shall we be offering (the five-timed) Salah for one day only?' He said, 'No. You will, rather, go by estimating time and offering prayers for the whole year.' We said, 'Ya Rasulallah, how fast will he be moving about the Earth?' He said, 'Fast like the cloud being followed by wind. Then he will pass by a people and ask them to rally round his false beliefs. They will believe in him and respond to his call. Then he will commission the clouds. They will start raining. He will order the Earth. It will turn green and verdant (and herds of cattle will graze therein) and when they return in the evening, their humps shall be much higher than before and their udders shall be full of milk and their waists shall be plumb. Then, Dajjal will pass by another people and invite them to his disbelief. But, they will turn down his invitation. Losing hope, when he goes away from them, these believers will be stricken with famine and nothing of what once belonged to them will remain in their hands. And when Dajjal will walk by this wasteland, he will address it, saying: 'Bring your treasures out.' So, its treasures will start following him like the honeybees follow their queen. Then Dajjal will call a man whose youth shall be in full bloom, strike him with a sword and cut him into two pieces and the two pieces will be placed as far apart as the distance between an archer and his target. Then he will call him. He will come (alive) to Dajjal beaming with joy over his feat. In the meantime, Allah 'I'a'ala will send down AI-Masih ibn Maryam (Sayyidna 'Isa (AS)). He will alight at the white tower in the eastern part of Dimashq (Damascus) clad in two coloured sheets with both hands resting on the wings of angels. When he bows his blessed head, drops of water will drip down from there (as if one has just come out of the shower). And when he raises his head up, from it drop silvery globules like genuine pearls. Any disbeliever who breathes the air from his breath will die that very instant and his breath will reach as far as reaches his glance. Then he will look for him until he will overtake him at the gate of Ludd (still there in Baytul-Maqdis by the same name) and kill him. After that, 'Isa ibn Maryam will come to people whom Allah protected from Dajjal. He will then touch their faces (with compassion for them) and give them the good news of having high ranks in Paradise.

 While he would still be in the same state, Allah will reveal to 'Isa: 'Verily, I am going to send forth the kind of men from among servants belonging to Me against whom no two hands will dare fight. So, you assemble and take My servants to the sanctuary of Mount 'Tur (which Sayyidna 'Isa will do) and would send out Ya’juj and Ma’juj and they will be seen hurtling down from every side. The first wave of them will pass by Buhairah Tabariyyah. They would drink out everything in it and when others of them will pass by it, (and seeing it dry) they will say: 'Surely, in this, there must have been water earlier in time.'

 The prophet of Allah, 'Isa, and his companions will take refuge on the Mount 'Tur. Other believers will find sanctuaries in their own fortified places. Food supplies will be there, but it would run short whereupon the head of a bull will be considered better than a hundred dinar. Then, the prophet of Allah, 'Isa, and his companions will turn to Allah (and pray for the removal of their distress which will be answered) and He will send an epidemic (worm in neck) and they will be annihilated en masse to the last person. Then, the prophet of Allah, 'Isa, and his companions will come down from the Mount of 'fur and see not a hand-span worth of land remaining unfilled with corpses and (because of their decomposition) the place will be reeking with a strong stench. (Seeing this state of affairs) the prophet of Allah, 'Isa, and his companions will turn to Allah (praying for the removal of this distress as well which Allah will answer). He will send birds with necks like the neck of a camel. They will haul these corpses and throw them at the place where Allah wills (according to some narratives, they will put them away into the sea).

 After that, Allah Ta'ala will send rains. No clay home in the villages and no Bedouin tent in the desert will remain without it. Lands will be washed clean and left like mirror. Then, Allah Ta'ala will tell the Earth, 'Grow your fruits and unravel the abundance of your blessings.' (And so it shall be and such shall be the bliss of increase that) one pomegranate will suffice as food for a group of people. And its shell will be used to make canopies for protection against the Sun and milk will be so blessed as to suffice for a large number of people. Milk from one cow will be enough for everyone in a tribe and milk from one goat will be adequate for a whole clan. (After forty years of this period of extra-ordinary abundance, peace and protection, when the time due for Qiyamah will draw near) Allah Ta'ala will send a pleasant wind which will cause their armpits to be benumbed and the soul of every believer and every Muslim will be taken away. Left there will be the worst among human beings, the wicked and the disbelieving ones, who will indulge in shame and outrage on the Earth like donkeys. And it is against them that the Hour will stand activated.' (Muslim)


see also:

Signs Before The Day of Judgement - Part 1

Signs Before The Day of Judgement - Part 2

Hadith regarding the sighting of the Dajjal

Narrations of Anas ibn Malik (r.a.)

Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said:

"Good tidings to the one who has believed in me and seen me; and good tidings seven times over to the one who has believed in me and has not seen me."    (Musnad Ahmad)

I came across these hadith in Muntakhab Ahadith compiled by  Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) in the marketplace.

Hadhrat Rabee'ah bin Ibaad (r.a.) belonged to the Banu Deel tribe who had all accepted Islaam after passing through the Period of Ignorance. He narrates that during the Period of Ignorance, he saw Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) in the marketplace of Dhul Majaaz saying to those gathered around him, "0 people! Say 'Laa Ilaaha Illalaah' and you will be successful." Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) was being trailed by squint albeit handsome man whose hair was divided into two locks. He followed Rasulullaah wherever he went and said to the people, "He (Rasulullaah) is an irreligious man and a liar."
Hadhrat Rabee'ah bin Ibaad (r.a.) says that when he asked about the man, he was informed that the man was Abu Lahab the uncle of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) (1)
(1) Ahmad and Bayhaqi as quoted in A/ Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.41). Haythami (Vo1.6 Pg.22) and Ibn Hajar (FatlhulBaari Vo/.7Pg. 156) have commented on this narration.

According to another narration, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) used to run away from Abu Lahab who persistently hounded him. Other narrations also mention that as people used to attack Rasulullaah (s.a.w.), there would be no one to say anything. However, he would never remain silent (nothing would prevent him from propagation). (2)
(2) Ibn Is'haaq as quoted in A/ Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vol. 3 Pg. 138). Abdullah bin Ahmad and Tabraani have also narrated a similar report from Hadhrat Rabee'ah (r.a.) Haythami has commented on the Sanad(see Vol. 6 Pg. 36).

Hadhrat Taariq bin Abdillaah (r.a.) narrates that he was in the Dhul Majaaz marketplace when a man passed by wearing a shawl with red threads. He was saying to the people, "0 people! Say 'Laa Ilaaha Illalaah' and you will be successful." He was being trailed by another man who had injured his (the first
man's) heels and legs, causing them to bleed. The second man was saying, "0 people! Do not follow him because he is a liar!" When Hadhrat Taariq bin Abdillaah asked the people who the men were, he was told, "He (the first man) is a man from the Banu Haashim who claims to be Allaah's Rasul and the other is his uncle Abdul Uzza (Abu Lahab)." (3)
(3) Tabraani. Haythami has commented on it in Vo1.6 Pg.23.

A person from the Banu. Maalik bin Kinnana tribe narrates that he saw Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) in the Dhul Majaaz marketplace saying to the people, "0 people! Say 'Laa Ilaaha Illalaah' and you will be successful." Abu Jahal threw sand into the face of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) saying, "Do not let this man deceive you into leaving your religion. He wants you to forsake your gods. He wants you to forsake Laat and Uzza." However, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) paid no attention to him.
When the narrator was asked to describe Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) he said, "He was wearing two shawls with red threads. He was of medium height with a well-built body and extremely handsome face. His hair was very black and thick and his complexion was exceptionally fair." (4)
(4) Ahmad with a reliable chain of narrators as mentioned by Haythami 0101.6 Pg.21). AlBidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.139) quotes a narration of Bayhaqi without the description of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.).
 Bidaaya wan Nihaaya mentions that although a narrator may be mistaken by naming Abu Jahal, it is possible that it was sometimes Abu Jahal and sometimes Abu Lahab who took turns to harass Rasulullaah (s.a.w.)


(From Hayatus Sahabah by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)

Al-Jassasah And Ad-Dajjaal

Faatimah Bint Qais's (r.a.) Hadeeth About The Dajjaal; And What Tameem Ad-Daaree (r.a.) Related In Regards To Him Seeing Al-Jassasah And Ad-Dajjaal

 Amir b. Sharahil Sha'bi Sha'b Hamdan reported that he asked Fatima, daughter of Qais and sister of ad-Dahhak b. Qais and she was the first amongst the emigrant women: ''Narrate to me a hadith which you had heard directly from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and there is no extra link in between them.''

 She said: 'Very well, if you like, I am prepared to do that,' and he said to her: 'Well, do it and narrate that to me.' She said: 'I married the son of Mughira and he was a chosen young man of Quraish at that time, but he fell as a martyr in the first Jihad (fighting) on the side of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). When I became a widow, 'Abd al-Rahman b. Auf (r.a.), one amongst the group of the Companions of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), sent me the proposal of marriage. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) also sent me such a message for his freed slave Usama b. Zaid (r.a). And it had been conveyed to me that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had said (about Usama): 'He who loves me should also love Usama.' When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) talked to me (about this matter), I said: 'My affairs are in your hand. You may marry me to anyone whom you like.' He said: You better shift now to the house of Umm Sharik, and Umm Sharik was a rich lady from amongst the Anqir. She spent generously for the cause of Allah and entertained guests very hospitably. I said: 'Well, I will do as you like.' He said: Do not do that for Umm Sharik is a woman who is very frequently visited by guests and I do not like that your head may be uncovered or the cloth may be removed from your shank and the strangers may catch sight of them which you abhor. You better shift to the house of your cousin 'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. Umm Maktum (who was blind) and he is a person of the Bani Fihr branch of the Quraish, and he belonged to that tribe (to which Fatima) belonged. So I shifted to that house, and when my period of waiting was over, I heard the voice of an announcer making an announcement that the prayer would be observed in the mosque (where) congregational prayer (is observed).

 So I set out towards that mosque and observed prayer along with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and I was in the row of the women which was near the row of men. When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had finished his prayer, he sat on the pulpit smiling and said: 'Every worshipper should keep sitting at his place.' He then said: 'Do you know why I had asked you to assemble?' They said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'By Allah. I have not made you assemble for exhortation or for a warning, but I have detained you here, for Tamim Dari, a Christian, who came and accepted Islam, told me something, which agrees with what I was telling, you about the Dajjal.

 He narrated to me that he had sailed in a ship along with thirty men of Bani Lakhm and Bani Judham and had been tossed by waves in the ocean for a month. Then these (waves) took them (near) the land within the ocean (island) at the time of sunset. They sat in a small side-boat and entered that Island. There was a beast with long thick hair (and because of these) they could not distinguish his face from his back. They said: 'Woe to you, who can you be?' Thereupon it said: 'I am al-Jassasa.' They said: 'What is al-Jassasa?' And it said: 'O people, go to this person in the monastery as he is very much eager to know about you.' He (the narrator) said: 'When it named a person for us we were afraid of it lest it should be a Devil. Then we hurriedly went on till we came to that monastery and found a well-built person there with his hands tied to his neck and having iron shackles between his two legs up to the ankles.' We said: 'Woe be upon thee, who are you?' And he said: 'You would soon come to know about me. but tell me who are you.' We said: 'We are people from Arabia and we embarked upon a boat but the sea-waves had been driving us for one month and they brought as near this island. We got into the side-boats and entered this island and here a beast met us with profusely thick hair and because of the thickness of his hair his face could not be distinguished from his back. We said: Woe be to thee, who are you? It said: I am al- Jassasa. We said: What is al-Jassasa? And it said: You go to this very person in the monastery for he is eagerly waiting for you to know about you. So we came to you in hot haste fearing that that might be the Devil.' He (that chained person) said: 'Tell me about the date-palm trees of Baisan.' We said: 'About what aspect of theirs do you seek information?' He said: 'I ask you whether these trees bear fruit or not.' We said: Yes Thereupon he said: 'I think these would not bear fruits.' He said: 'Inform me about the lake of Tabariyya?' We said: 'Which aspect of it do you want to know?' He said: Is there water in it? They said: There is abundance of water in it. Thereupon he said: I think it would soon become dry. He again said: Inform me about the spring of Zughar. They said: Which aspect of it you want to know? He (the chained person) said: 'Is there water in it and does it irrigate (the land)?' We said to him: 'Yes, there is abundance of water in it and the inhabitants (of Medina) irrigate (land) with the help of it.' He said: 'Inform me about the unlettered Prophet; what has he done?' We said: 'He has come out from Mecca and has settled In Yathrib (Medina).' He said: 'Do the Arabs fight against him?' We said: Yes. He said: 'How did he deal with him?' We informed him that he had overcome those in his neighbourhood and they had submitted themselves before him. Thereupon he said to us: 'Had it actually happened?' We said: Yes. Thereupon he said: 'If it is so that is better for them that they should show obedience to him. I am going to tell you about myself and I am Dajjal and would be soon permitted to get out, and so I shall get out and travel in the land, and will not spare any town where I would not stay for forty nights except Mecca and Medina as these two (places) are prohibited (areas) for me and I would not make an attempt to enter any one of these two. An angel with a sword in his hand would confront me and would bar my way and there would be angels to guard every passage leading to it.'

 Then Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) striking the pulpit with the help of the end of his staff said: 'This implies Taiba meaning Medina. Have I not, told you an account (of the Dajjal) like this?' The people said: 'Yes', 'And this account narrated by Tamim Dari was liked by me for it corroborates the account which I gave to you in regard to him (Dajjal) at Medina and Mecca. Behold he (Dajjal) is in the Syrian sea (Mediterranian) or the Yemen sea (Arabian sea). Nay, on the contrary, he is in the east, he is in the east, he is in the east.' and he pointed with his hand towards the east.

 I (Fatima bint Qais) said: I preserved it in my mind (this narration from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him).

                                               (Muslim Book #041, Hadith #7028)


see also:

Signs Before The Day of Judgement - Part 1

Signs Before The Day of Judgement - Part 2

Some Hardships of the Messenger of Allah's (s.a.w) Daughters and Companions.

Hadhrat Faatima (r.a.) the Daughter of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) and Hadhrat Ali (r.a.) Suffer Extreme Hunger

Hadhrat Ataa narrates that he was told that Hadhrat Ali (r.a) said, "Many days passed by when neither us nor Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) had anything (to eat). I left home one day and found a lost Dinar lying on the road. For a moment, I thought to myself whether I should pick it up or not. Because of the hardship we were suffering, I ventured to pick it up and took it to a shop where I bought some flour. Taking the flour to Faatima (r.a.), I told her to make dough and bake some bread. As she made the dough, (she could not even stand up straight and in her bent over position) her forelock kept hitting against the dish because of the extreme hardship (and weakness) she was suffering. After she had made the bread, I went to Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) and informed him about what had happened. Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) said, 'Eat the bread(1) because it is a provision that Allaah has provided for you (from unseen sources)."'(2)

(1) This incident took place before the prohibition of using lost items. Nevertheless, the situation was extreme, in which case, a person is permitted to use such means to save one's life.
(2) Hanaad and Adani as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vo1.7 Pg.328). Abu Dawood (Vol.1 Pg.240) has also narrated the Hadith from Hadhrat Sahl bin Sa'd (r.a.)

The Hijrah of Rasulullaah's (s.a.w.) Daughter Hadhrat Zaynab (r.a.)

Rasulullaah's (s.a.w.) daughter Hadhrat Zaynab (r.a.) says:

"As I was preparing the provisions for my journey (Hijrah), Hind bint Utba met me. She said, '0 daughter
of Muhammad! Do you think that the news has not reached me that you wish to meet up with your father?' 'I have no such intention,' I replied. She said, 'Dear cousin! Do not do this. If you require any goods for your journey or any money to help you reach your father, I have what you need. You should therefore not keep
secrets from me because the disputes between men should not creep between us women."' Hadhrat Zainab (r.a.) narrates further when she says, "By Allaah! I certainly think that she meant what she said but I was scared for her and denied that I intended to migrate."

Ibn Is'haaq further narrates that Hadhrat Zaynab (r.a.) continued her preparations and when it was completed, her husband's brother Kinaana bin Rabee brought her a camel which she mounted. He took his bow and quiver along with him. He took her out of Makkah during the day and led the camel as she sat in her carriage. When some men of the Quraysh started talking about this, they set out after her and eventually caught up with her at Dhu Tuwa. The first to catch up with her was Habbaar bin Aswad Fihri. As she sat in her carriage, he frightened the camel with his spear until it threw her off. According to what people say, she was expecting at the time. Kinaana sat on his knees, emptied his quiver and said, "By Allaah! I shall place an arrow into anyone who even draws close to me." The men drew back from him.

Just then, Abu Sufyaan arrived with a group of senior members of the Quraysh. He called out (to Kinaana) saying, "Dear man! Hold back your arrows until we have a chance to speak to you." Kinaana held back and Abu Sufyaan came forward until he stood before Kinaana. He said, "You have made a great mistake. You have taken the lady openly in full view of everyone when you know the hardships and difficulties we have experienced at the hand of (her father) Muhammad. If you take her away from our midst so openly and in full view of the people, it would be an embarrassment to us and people would regard this to be a sign of our weakness. I swear by my life that we have no need to keep her away from her father and have no revenge to exact from her. However, you should take her back now and secretly take her away to be reunited with her father only once people have quieten down and the word spreads that we have made her return (to Makkah)." Kinaana then did this. ('1)

Hadhrat Urwa bin Zubayr (r.a.) narrates that as someone was leaving (Makkah) with Hadhrat Zaynab (r.a.) the daughter of Rasulullah (s.a.w.) they were intercepted by two men from the Quraysh who fought him and after gaining the upper hand, pushed her down. She fell on to a rock and miscarried, causing her to bleed profusely. They then took her to Abu Sufyaan, who handed her over to some women from the Banu Haashim who had come to him. It was only after this that she eventually managed to make Hijrah. However, the injury persisted until she finally passed away on account of the injury. People therefore considered her to be a martyr. (2)
 
(1) Ibn Is'haaq, as quoted in AlBidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.330).
(2) Tabraani narrating from reliable sources as confirmed by Haythami (Vo1.9 Pg.2 16)

Hadhrat Abu Salama (r.a.) and Hadhrat Ummu Salama (r.a.) Migrate to Madinah

Hadhrat Ummu Salama (r.a.) says, "When (my husband) Hadhrat Abu Salama (r.a) decided to migrate to Madinah, he tied a carriage for me on his camel and put me on it. He then put our son Salama bin Abi Salama on my lap and led the camel away with me. When some men from the Banu Mughiera tribe saw him, they stood before him and said, 'while you may have authority over yourself (you may go where you like) but why should we allow you to go away with that woman from our tribe?' They then snatched away the reins of the camel and took me away from my husband. When this happened, the Banu Asad tribe to which Abu Salama (r.a.) belonged became angry and said, 'We swear by Allaah that we shall never leave our son with his mother since you have snatched her away from our tribesman.' The people of the two tribes then started pulling my son Salama until they dislocated his arm. The Banu Asad then left with him while the Banu Mughiera kept me with them. My husband Abu Salama proceeded to Madinah."

"I was thus separated from my husband and son. Every morning, I would go out to Abtah where I would sit and cry continuously until the evening. This continued for a year or close to a year. Eventually, one of my cousins also from the Banu Mughiera tribe passed by and seeing my condition, he took pity on me. He said to the Banu Mughiera tribesmen, 'Will you not allow this poor woman to leave? You have already separated her from her husband and son.' My tribesmen then permitted me to join my husband and when this happened, the Banu Asad returned my son to me. I fastened my carriage to my camel and taking my son in
my lap, I prepared to leave to my husband in Madinah without anyone to acccompany me."

"When I reached Tan'eem, I met Uthmaan bin Talha bin Abi Talha who belonged to the Abd Daar tribe. He asked, 'Where are you heading, 0 daughter of Abu Umayyah?' 'I am off to meet my husband in Madinah,' I replied. "Is there nobody with you?' he queried. I replied, 'None besides Allaah and this little son of mine.'

He said, 'By Allaah! You cannot be left alone.' He then took hold of the reins of my camel and led my camel with great speed. By Allaah! I have never been with any Arab man more dignified than him. Whenever we reached a stop, he made the camel sit and then moved away. After I had dismounted, he would take the camel away, remove the carriage and tie the camel to a tree. He then went to some tree and lay down beneath it. Whenever the time came to leave, he would get up, fasten the carriage on the camel and bring it to me. He then moved away and told me to mount it. After I had mounted and settled on the camel, he would
return to take hold of the reins and lead the camel away until we reached the next stop. This procedure continued until he brought me to Madinah. When we reached the locality of the Banu Amr bin Awf in Quba where Abu Salma (r.a.) had taken up residence, he said, 'Your husband is in that locality so go there with the blessings of Allaah.' He then returned to Makkah."

Hadhrat Ummu Salama (r.a.) used to say, "I do not know of any Muslim family who experienced the hardships that the family of Abu Salama (r.a.) experienced and I have never seen a travelling companion as dignified as Uthmaan bin Talha.

The same Uthmaan bin Talha bin Abi Talha Abdari accepted Islaam after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed and migrated together with Khaalid bin Waleed."

Ibn Is'haaq, as quoted in AIBidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.169).

(From Hayatus Sahabah by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)