Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Allamah Azimabadi said: The turning of the millstone of Islam has been explained with various meanings: (1) Most hold the view that it refers to the continuation of the Prophetic methodology and caliphate without any deficiency, the uprightness of the affairs of the caliphs, the implementation of hudud (prescribed punishments), and the establishment of the Shari‘ah rulings. (2) It refers to fighting and bloodshed. (‘Awn al-Ma‘bud: 11/220)

Imam al-Albani rahimahullah writes: Khatib rahimahullah said: “Tadūr rahā al-Islām” is a proverb; its intended meaning is that after this period, a great calamity will occur in Islam, which will be a danger for the people of Islam. When a matter changes or is altered, it is said “dārat rahāhu” (its millstone has turned). It appears that at the beginning of the hadith, there is an indication towards the end of the period of caliphate. And Allah knows best. The meaning of “yaqūm lahum dīnuhum” is: the kingship and sovereignty of the Muslims will remain established, because the term “dīn” is also applied to kingship and sovereignty, as in the statement of Allah, the Exalted: {مَا کَانَ لِیَاْخُذَ أَخَاہُ فِیْ دِیْنِ الْمَلِکِ} (Surah Yusuf: 76) … He (Prophet Yusuf, alayhis salam) could not have detained his brother according to the king’s law.

From the pledge of allegiance of Sayyiduna Hasan ibn ‘Ali radi Allahu anhu to Sayyiduna Mu‘awiyah radi Allahu anhu until the end of the Umayyad dynasty in the East, it is approximately seventy years. Imam Tahawi said: It was not due to doubt, but rather due to the will of Allah, that thirty-five, thirty-six, or thirty-seven years were mentioned, which became apparent in the form of thirty-five years. After this period, (the people of Egypt) besieged Sayyiduna ‘Uthman radi Allahu anhu until they martyred him. His martyrdom became the cause of discord and division in the Ummah. Thereafter, whoever perished would be like those who perished before. Nevertheless, Allah, the Exalted, concealed (the matter) and, by way of compensation, established in this Ummah such individuals who protected the religion. (Sahihah: 976)

Mulla ‘Ali al-Qari rahimahullah said: From the time of the Hijrah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam until the end of the caliphate of the three caliphs (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna ‘Umar, and Sayyiduna ‘Uthman), it is thirty-five years; there is no difference between the commoners and the elite regarding this. After this period, Sayyiduna ‘Uthman radi Allahu anhu was killed. Then, in the thirty-sixth year, the Battle of Jamal occurred, and in the thirty-seventh year, the Battle of Siffin took place…

Khatabi said: The turning of the millstone refers to fighting and bloodshed. The reason for the analogy is that just as the millstone grinds the grain, in the same way, after this period, people’s lives will begin to be destroyed… The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam wanted to inform his Companions that they would remain established upon the religion (as in his time) until thirty-five, thirty-six, or thirty-seven years, then due to differences, division and dissension would arise. After that, whoever perished would be like those who perished before. However, if the affairs of the Muslims return once again to the obedience of a single leader and the support of the truth, then it will continue for seventy years. (Mirqat al-Mafatih: 9/290–292)