Trials (fitan) like pieces of dark night
Appeared
In brief
The Prophet ﷺ warned of trials (fitan) that will come like pieces of a dark night, one after another, so confusing that a man is a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, or a believer in the evening and a disbeliever by morning. People will sell their religion for a small worldly gain. In such trials, he said, the one sitting is better than the one standing, and the one standing is better than the one running toward it.
These trials began after the Prophet's ﷺ death and keep coming in waves. The Companion Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman used to ask the Prophet ﷺ about evil, out of fear it would reach him. He was told: stay with the main body of Muslims and their leader, and if there is none, keep away from all the factions, even if you have to bite on the root of a tree.
'Hasten to good deeds before trials like pieces of a dark night.' Seek refuge from the trials, the seen and the unseen.
Where it sits in the sequence
The narrations do not put these in order, and many of them overlap. Sahih al-Bukhari 7121 lists several together.
Strongest narrations
Read all in the archive →Tags are automatic and unreviewed.
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ عُمَرُ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَيُّكُمْ يَحْفَظُ حَدِيثَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْفِتْنَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَنَا أَحْفَظُهُ كَمَا قَالَ. قَالَ إِنَّكَ عَلَيْهِ لَجَرِيءٌ فَكَيْفَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِتْنَةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَجَارِهِ تُكَفِّرُهَا الصَّلاَةُ وَالصَّدَقَةُ وَالْمَعْرُوفُ. قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ قَدْ كَانَ يَقُولُ " الصَّلاَةُ وَالصَّدَقَةُ، وَالأَمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْىُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ ". قَالَ لَيْسَ هَذِهِ أُرِيدُ، وَلَكِنِّي أُرِيدُ الَّتِي تَمُوجُ كَمَوْجِ الْبَحْرِ. قَالَ قُلْتُ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ بِهَا يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بَأْسٌ، بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهَا باب مُغْلَقٌ. قَالَ فَيُكْسَرُ الْبَابُ أَوْ يُفْتَحُ. قَالَ قُلْتُ لاَ. بَلْ يُكْسَرُ. قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا كُسِرَ لَمْ يُغْلَقْ أَبَدًا. قَالَ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ. فَهِبْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَهُ مَنِ الْبَابُ فَقُلْنَا لِمَسْرُوقٍ سَلْهُ. قَالَ فَسَأَلَهُ. فَقَالَ عُمَرُ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ. قَالَ قُلْنَا فَعَلِمَ عُمَرُ مَنْ تَعْنِي قَالَ نَعَمْ، كَمَا أَنَّ دُونَ غَدٍ لَيْلَةً، وَذَلِكَ أَنِّي حَدَّثْتُهُ حَدِيثًا لَيْسَ بِالأَغَالِيطِ.
Narrated Abu Wail:Hudhaifa said, "`Umar said, 'Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about afflictions'?' I said, 'I know it as the Prophet (ﷺ) had said it.' `Umar said, 'No doubt, you are bold. How did he say it?' I said, 'A man's afflictions (wrong deeds) concerning his wife, children and neighbors are expiated by (his) prayers, charity, and enjoining good.' (The sub-narrator Sulaiman added that he said, 'The prayer, charity, enjoining good and forbidding evil.') `Umar said, 'I did not mean that, but I ask about that affliction which will spread like the waves of the sea.' I said, 'O chief of the believers! You need not be afraid of it as there is a closed door between you and it.' He asked, 'Will the door be broken or opened?' I replied, 'No, it will be broken.' He said, 'Then, if it is broken, it will never be closed again?' I replied, 'Yes.' " Then we were afraid to ask what that door was, so we asked Masruq to inquire, and he asked Hudhaifa regarding it. Hudhaifa said, "The door was `Umar. "We further asked Hudhaifa whether `Umar knew what that door meant. Hudhaifa replied in the affirmative and added, "He knew it as one knows that there will be a night before the tomorrow morning
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ،. حَدَّثَنِي بِشْرُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا وَائِلٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أَيُّكُمْ يَحْفَظُ قَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْفِتْنَةِ فَقَالَ حُذَيْفَةُ أَنَا أَحْفَظُ كَمَا قَالَ. قَالَ هَاتِ إِنَّكَ لَجَرِيءٌ. قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " فِتْنَةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ وَجَارِهِ تُكَفِّرُهَا الصَّلاَةُ وَالصَّدَقَةُ وَالأَمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْىُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ ". قَالَ لَيْسَتْ هَذِهِ، وَلَكِنِ الَّتِي تَمُوجُ كَمَوْجِ الْبَحْرِ. قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لاَ بَأْسَ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهَا، إِنَّ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهَا بَابًا مُغْلَقًا. قَالَ يُفْتَحُ الْبَابُ أَوْ يُكْسَرُ قَالَ لاَ بَلْ يُكْسَرُ. قَالَ ذَاكَ أَحْرَى أَنْ لاَ يُغْلَقَ. قُلْنَا عَلِمَ الْبَابَ قَالَ نَعَمْ، كَمَا أَنَّ دُونَ غَدٍ اللَّيْلَةَ، إِنِّي حَدَّثْتُهُ حَدِيثًا لَيْسَ بِالأَغَالِيطِ. فَهِبْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَهُ، وَأَمَرْنَا مَسْرُوقًا، فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ مَنِ الْبَابُ قَالَ عُمَرُ.
Narrated Hudhaifa:Once `Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah's Apostle regarding the afflictions?" Hudhaifa replied, "I remember what he said exactly." `Umar said, "Tell (us), you are really a daring man!" Hudhaifa said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'A man's afflictions (i.e. wrong deeds) concerning his relation to his family, his property and his neighbors are expiated by his prayers, giving in charity and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.' " `Umar said, "I don't mean these afflictions but the afflictions that will be heaving up and down like waves of the sea." Hudhaifa replied, "O chief of the believers! You need not fear those (afflictions) as there is a closed door between you and them." `Umar asked, "Will that door be opened or broken?" Hudhaifa replied, "No, it will be broken." `Umar said, "Then it is very likely that the door will not be closed again." Later on the people asked Hudhaifa, "Did `Umar know what that door meant?" He said, "Yes, `Umar knew it as everyone knows that there will be night before the tomorrow morning. I narrated to `Umar an authentic narration, not lies." We dared not ask Hudhaifa; therefore we requested Masruq who asked him, "What does the door stand for?" He said, "`Umar
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَأَبِي، سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " سَتَكُونُ فِتَنٌ، الْقَاعِدُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْقَائِمِ، وَالْقَائِمُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَاشِي، وَالْمَاشِي فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّاعِي، وَمَنْ يُشْرِفْ لَهَا تَسْتَشْرِفْهُ، وَمَنْ وَجَدَ مَلْجَأً أَوْ مَعَاذًا فَلْيَعُذْ بِهِ ". وَعَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ مُطِيعِ بْنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ نَوْفَلِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ،، مِثْلَ حَدِيثِ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ هَذَا، إِلاَّ أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ، يَزِيدُ " مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ صَلاَةٌ مَنْ فَاتَتْهُ فَكَأَنَّمَا وُتِرَ أَهْلَهُ وَمَالَهُ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There will be afflictions (and at the time) the sitting person will be better than the standing one, and the standing one will be better than the walking, and the walking will be better than the running. And whoever will look towards those afflictions, they will overtake him, and whoever will find a refuge or a shelter, should take refuge in it." The same narration is reported by Abu Bakr, with the addition, "(The Prophet (ﷺ) said), 'Among the prayers there is a prayer the missing of which will be to one like losing one's family and property
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَأَبِي، سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " سَتَكُونُ فِتَنٌ، الْقَاعِدُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْقَائِمِ، وَالْقَائِمُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَاشِي، وَالْمَاشِي فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّاعِي، وَمَنْ يُشْرِفْ لَهَا تَسْتَشْرِفْهُ، وَمَنْ وَجَدَ مَلْجَأً أَوْ مَعَاذًا فَلْيَعُذْ بِهِ ". وَعَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ مُطِيعِ بْنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ نَوْفَلِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ،، مِثْلَ حَدِيثِ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ هَذَا، إِلاَّ أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ، يَزِيدُ " مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ صَلاَةٌ مَنْ فَاتَتْهُ فَكَأَنَّمَا وُتِرَ أَهْلَهُ وَمَالَهُ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There will be afflictions (and at the time) the sitting person will be better than the standing one, and the standing one will be better than the walking, and the walking will be better than the running. And whoever will look towards those afflictions, they will overtake him, and whoever will find a refuge or a shelter, should take refuge in it." The same narration is reported by Abu Bakr, with the addition, "(The Prophet (ﷺ) said), 'Among the prayers there is a prayer the missing of which will be to one like losing one's family and property
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ،. قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَحَدَّثَنِي صَالِحُ بْنُ كَيْسَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " سَتَكُونُ فِتَنٌ الْقَاعِدُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْقَائِمِ، وَالْقَائِمُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَاشِي، وَالْمَاشِي فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّاعِي، مَنْ تَشَرَّفَ لَهَا تَسْتَشْرِفْهُ، فَمَنْ وَجَدَ فِيهَا مَلْجَأً أَوْ مَعَاذًا فَلْيَعُذْ بِهِ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There will be afflictions (in the near future) during which a sitting person will be better than a standing one, and the standing one will be better than the walking one, and the walking one will be better than the running one, and whoever will expose himself to these afflictions, they will destroy him. So whoever can find a place of protection or refuge from them, should take shelter in it
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " سَتَكُونُ فِتَنٌ الْقَاعِدُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْقَائِمِ، وَالْقَائِمُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَاشِي، وَالْمَاشِي فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّاعِي، مَنْ تَشَرَّفَ لَهَا تَسْتَشْرِفْهُ، فَمَنْ وَجَدَ مَلْجَأً أَوْ مَعَاذًا فَلْيَعُذْ بِهِ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There will be afflictions (in the near future) during which a sitting person will be better than a standing one, and the standing one will be better than a walking one, and the walking one will be better than a running one, and whoever will expose himself to these afflictions, they will destroy him. So whoever can find a place of protection or refuge from them, should take shelter in it
Weak and ungraded reports on this sign
79
Shown for study, not as established. Includes Kitab al-Fitan of Nu'aym ibn Hammad, which is ungraded and weak overall.
Weak report. Shown for study, not as established.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ شُعَيْبِ بْنِ اللَّيْثِ، حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، حَدَّثَنِي اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ خَالِدُ بْنُ أَبِي عِمْرَانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْبَيْلَمَانِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ هُرْمُزَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " سَتَكُونُ فِتْنَةٌ صَمَّاءُ بَكْمَاءُ عَمْيَاءُ مَنْ أَشْرَفَ لَهَا اسْتَشْرَفَتْ لَهُ وَإِشْرَافُ اللِّسَانِ فِيهَا كَوُقُوعِ السَّيْفِ " .
Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: There will be civil strife (fitnah) which will render people deaf, dumb and blind regarding what is right. Those who contemplate it will be drawn by it, and giving rein to the tongue during it will be like smiting with the sword
Weak report. Shown for study, not as established.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ رَجُلٍ، يُقَالُ لَهُ زِيَادٌ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّهَا سَتَكُونُ فِتْنَةٌ تَسْتَنْظِفُ الْعَرَبَ قَتْلاَهَا فِي النَّارِ اللِّسَانُ فِيهَا أَشَدُّ مِنْ وَقْعِ السَّيْفِ " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ رَوَاهُ الثَّوْرِيُّ عَنْ لَيْثٍ عَنْ طَاوُسٍ عَنِ الأَعْجَمِ .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: There will be civil strife which wipe out the Arabs, and their slain will go to Hell. During it the tongue will be more severe than blows of the sword. Abu Dawud said: Al-Thawri transmitted it from Laith, from Tawus on the authority of Al-A'jam
Weak report. Shown for study, not as established.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجُعْفِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ حَمْزَةَ الزَّيَّاتَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْمُخْتَارِ الطَّائِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَخِي الْحَارِثِ الأَعْوَرِ، عَنِ الْحَارِثِ، قَالَ مَرَرْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَإِذَا النَّاسُ يَخُوضُونَ فِي الأَحَادِيثِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَلاَ تَرَى أَنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ خَاضُوا فِي الأَحَادِيثِ . قَالَ أَوَقَدْ فَعَلُوهَا قُلْتُ نَعَمْ . قَالَ أَمَا إِنِّي قَدْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " أَلاَ إِنَّهَا سَتَكُونُ فِتْنَةٌ " . فَقُلْتُ مَا الْمَخْرَجُ مِنْهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " كِتَابُ اللَّهِ فِيهِ نَبَأُ مَا كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ وَخَبَرُ مَا بَعْدَكُمْ وَحُكْمُ مَا بَيْنَكُمْ هُوَ الْفَصْلُ لَيْسَ بِالْهَزْلِ مَنْ تَرَكَهُ مِنْ جَبَّارٍ قَصَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَمَنِ ابْتَغَى الْهُدَى فِي غَيْرِهِ أَضَلَّهُ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ حَبْلُ اللَّهِ الْمَتِينُ وَهُوَ الذِّكْرُ الْحَكِيمُ وَهُوَ الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيمُ هُوَ الَّذِي لاَ تَزِيغُ بِهِ الأَهْوَاءُ وَلاَ تَلْتَبِسُ بِهِ الأَلْسِنَةُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ مِنْهُ الْعُلَمَاءُ وَلاَ يَخْلَقُ عَلَى كَثْرَةِ الرَّدِّ وَلاَ تَنْقَضِي عَجَائِبُهُ هُوَ الَّذِي لَمْ تَنْتَهِ الْجِنُّ إِذْ سَمِعَتْهُ حَتَّى قَالُوا (إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا * يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ ) مَنْ قَالَ بِهِ صَدَقَ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ بِهِ أُجِرَ وَمَنْ حَكَمَ بِهِ عَدَلَ وَمَنْ دَعَا إِلَيْهِ هُدِيَ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ " . خُذْهَا إِلَيْكَ يَا أَعْوَرُ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ حَمْزَةَ الزًّيَّاتِ وَإِسْنَادُهُ مَجْهُولٌ . وَفِي حَدِيثِ الْحَارِثِ مَقَالٌ .
Narrated Al-Harith Al-A'war:"I passed by the Masjid when the people were absorbed in story-telling. So I entered upon 'Ali and said: 'O Commander of the believers! Do you not see the people are becoming engrossed in story-telling?' He said: 'They have been consumed with it?' I said: "Yes.' He said: 'As for me, I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "Indeed there comes a Fitnah" So I said: "What is the way out from it O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Allah's book. In it is news for what happened before you, and information about what comes after you, and judgement for what happens between you. It is the Criterion (between right and wrong) without jest. Whoever among the oppressive abandons it, Allah crushes him, and whoever seeks guidance from other than it, then Allah leaves him to stray. It is the firm rope of Allah, it is the wise remembrance, it is the straight path, and it is the one that the desires can not distort, nor can the tongues twist it, nor can the scholars ever have enough of it, and it shall not become dull from reciting it much, and the amazement of it does not diminish. It is the one that when the Jinns hear it, they did not hesitate to say about it: 'Verily, we have heard a wonderful Recitation (this Qur'an)! 'It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein.' Whoever speaks according to it then he has said the truth, and whoever acts according to it he is rewarded, and whoever judges by it he has judged justly, and whoever invites to it then he guides to the straight path." Take this O A'war
Weak report. Shown for study, not as established.
حَدَّثَنَا رَاشِدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الرَّمْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنِ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ أَبِي السَّائِبِ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " سَتَكُونُ فِتَنٌ يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ فِيهَا مُؤْمِنًا وَيُمْسِي كَافِرًا إِلاَّ مَنْ أَحْيَاهُ اللَّهُ بِالْعِلْمِ " .
It was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:“There will be tribulation in which a man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, except the one to whom Allah grants knowledge.”
Bible · Old Testament
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
Daniel 8:9-26
The Ram, the Goat, and the Fierce King Trampling the Sanctuary for 2,300 Days
Daniel witnesses a two-horned ram (Media and Persia) overthrown by a swift one-horned male goat (Greece under Alexander). From one of the four horns that replace it grows a horn of fierce countenance that expands toward the south, the east, and the Beautiful Land (Jerusalem). It magnifies itself even against the Prince of the host, removes the daily regular burnt offering, tramples the sanctuary for 2,300 evenings and mornings, and casts truth to the ground, until it is broken without human hands.
וְעַ֥ד שַׂר־הַצָּבָ֖א הִגְדִּ֑יל וּמִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ הוּרַ֣ם הַתָּמִ֔יד וְהֻשְׁלַ֖ךְ מְכֹ֥ון מִקְדָּשֹֽׁו׃ וְצָבָ֛א תִּנָּתֵ֥ן עַל־הַתָּמִ֖יד בְּפָ֑שַׁע וְתַשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֱמֶת֙ אַ֔רְצָה וְעָשְׂתָ֖ה וְהִצְלִֽיחָה׃
Yes, it magnified itself, even to the prince of the army; and it took away from him the continual burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. An army was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through disobedience; and it cast down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure and prospered.
וְעַל־שִׂכְלֹ֗ו וְהִצְלִ֤יחַ מִרְמָה֙ בְּיָדֹ֔ו וּבִלְבָבֹ֣ו יַגְדִּ֔יל וּבְשַׁלְוָ֖ה יַשְׁחִ֣ית רַבִּ֑ים וְעַל־שַׂר־שָׂרִ֣ים יַעֲמֹ֔ד וּבְאֶ֥פֶס יָ֖ד יִשָּׁבֵֽר׃
Through his policy he will also cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he will magnify himself in his heart, and in their security he will destroy many. He will also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he will be broken without hand.
Bible · New Testament
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
Revelation 12:1-17
The Woman Clothed with the Sun, the Great Red Dragon, and Archangel Michael's War in Heaven
A great sign appears in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head, crying out in birth pangs. Another sign appears: an enormous red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems, whose tail sweeps a third of the stars of heaven to earth. The dragon stands before the woman to devour her child, but the child, destined to rule all nations with an iron scepter, is caught up to God. War breaks out in heaven: Michael and his angels fight against the dragon. The dragon (the ancient serpent called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world) is cast down to the earth, enraged because he knows his time is short.
Καὶ ἐγένετο πόλεμος ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὁ Μιχαὴλ καὶ οἱ ἄγγελοι αὐτοῦ τοῦ πολεμῆσαι μετὰ τοῦ δράκοντος... καὶ ἐβλήθη ὁ δράκων ὁ μέγας, ὁ ὄφις ὁ ἀρχαῖος, ὁ καλούμενος Διάβολος καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς, ὁ πλανῶν τὴν οἰκουμένην ὅλην, ἐβλήθη εἰς τὴν γῆν,
There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon... The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Comparative Traditions
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
The Twelve Parts of the End-Time Tribulation and the Revelation of the Anointed One
Baruch asks God when the end will come, and is shown the division of the last tribulation into twelve epochs: commencement of commotions, slaughter of great ones, death of multitudes, the sending of the sword, famine and withholding of rain, earthquakes and terrors, falling of fire, rapine and oppression, wickedness and unchastity, confusion and mingling of all things, and devastating storms. When these reach their climax, the Anointed One (Messiah) will be revealed, the earth will yield fruit ten-thousandfold, and wild beasts will become peaceful.
ܘܗܟܢܐ ܢܗܘܘܢ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܫܒܛܐ ܗܢܘܢ: ܒܩܕܡܝܐ ܫܘܪܝܐ ܕܕܠܘܚܝܐ... ܒܚܡܝܫܝܐ ܟܦܢܐ ܘܡܬܬܟܠܝܢܘܬܐ ܕܡܛܪܐ... ܒܫܒܝܥܝܐ ܢܦܠܬܐ ܕܢܘܪܐ... ܘܡܐ ܕܫܠܡܘ ܟܠܗܘܢ ܗܠܝܢ: ܢܬܓܠܐ ܡܫܝܚܐ.
And in this manner will the periods of that time be: In the first, the beginning of commotions... in the fifth, famine and the withholding of rain... in the seventh, the falling of fire... and when all these are accomplished, the Anointed One will be revealed.
The Coming of Beliar: Deceptive Miracles of Sun and Moon and the Fiery Judgment
Composed in Jewish Hellenistic circles, Book 3 foretells that from the line of the Sebastenes will come 'Beliar', the arch-deceiver. He will perform dazzling signs: raising mountains, making the sea stand still, making the sun and moon stand stationary, and making the dead appear to rise, yet all will be optical and spiritual deception (*phantasiai*). He will mislead many, until the fiery wrath of God descends from heaven to burn Beliar, his hosts, and the corrupted world.
Ἐκ δὲ Σεβαστηνῶν ἥξει Βελίαρ μετόπισθεν, καὶ στήσει ὀρέων ὕψη, στήσει δὲ θάλασσαν, ἠέλιον πυρόεντα μέγαν λαμπράν τε σελήνην, καὶ νέκυας στήσει καὶ σήματα πολλὰ ποιήσει ἀνθρώποις· ἀλλ’ οὐχὶ τελεσφόρα ἔσσετ’ ἐν αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ πλάνα·
From the Sebastenes shall Beliar come in later time, and he shall raise the mountain heights, and make the sea stand still, and the fiery sun and shining moon, and make the dead to stand, and do many signs for men; but there will be no true fulfillment in him, but only deception.
The Seven-Day Sword Interval (Satthantarakappa) and the Advent of Maitreya Buddha
The Buddha details the step-by-step collapse of moral standards over generations: through neglect of the destitute, theft, violence, and falsehood flourish until human lifespan dwindles from 80,000 years to merely 10 years. In that final nadir, humanity enters a seven-day 'Sword Interval' (Satthantarakappa) where humans view one another as wild prey (miga-sañña), seizing makeshift weapons to slaughter each other in uncontrollable bloodlust. A handful of wise people take refuge in mountain caves and thickets. When the slaughter subsides, they emerge, embrace one another with tears, and resolve to practice virtue, reversing the decline. Eventually, when righteousness and lifespan return to 80,000 years, the fully enlightened Buddha Maitreya (Metteyya) will appear to teach the pure Dhamma in an era of boundless joy.
Tesaṃ manussānaṃ dasavassāyukānaṃ samānaṃ sattāhaṃ satthantarakappo bhavissati. Te aññamaññaṃ migasaññaṃ paṭilabhissanti. Tesaṃ tiṇhāni satthāni hatthesu pātubhavissanti...
Among the humans whose lifespan is ten years, there will be a seven-day sword-interval. They will perceive one another as wild game. Sharp swords will appear in their hands, and they will slaughter each other crying: 'There is a wild beast!'...
Asīti-vassasahassāyukesu manussesu metteyyo nāma bhagavā loke uppajjissati arahaṃ sammāsambuddho...
When human lifespan reaches eighty thousand years, the Blessed One named Metteyya (Maitreya) will arise in the world, an Arahant, fully enlightened...
What scholars have said
Scholars cite it as having appeared
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalanid. 852 AH (773-852 AH)
Lists the appearance of trials (fitan) among the signs that had happened as the Prophet ﷺ said.
Fath al-Bari, on Sahih al-Bukhari 7121 (Kitab al-Fitan)
Imam Yahya An-Nawawid. 676 AH (631-676 AH)
The narration urges good deeds before they become impossible, crowded out by trials that pile up like the darkness of a moonless night, so great that a man turns from belief to disbelief in a single day.
Sharh Sahih Muslim, on 118
Meaning and context
'Hasten to do good deeds before trials like pieces of a dark night, when a man is a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, or a believer in the evening and a disbeliever by morning, selling his religion for some goods of this world' (Sahih Muslim 118). Al-Nawawi reads it as an urging to act now. The best-measured trial of this kind is war; its numbers are on the pages for much killing and for the nations gathering.
Narrations behind this panel: Sahih Muslim 118 · Sahih al-Bukhari 7121
What the commentators said it means
- Trials will crowd out good deeds, piling up like the darkness of a moonless night: al-Nawawi.
- They began in the Companions' time and keep growing in some places more than others, each generation worse than the one before: Ibn Hajar.
Read with care
- This page has no chart of its own: a trial that turns a believer from his faith in a day is not something any dataset counts.
Draft: figures and wording await a researcher's check and the scholar board.