Bukhari

� Lexical Explanation:
«لَيَارِزُ» To contract, to shrink.
«الْحَيَّة» Snake.
«جُحْر» Hole.

Understanding of the Hadith:
This hadith mentions the virtue of Madinah Munawwarah. Therefore, one should strive to reside in Madinah, because according to the statement of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he will intercede for the one who dies in Madinah. [صحيح: هداية الرواة 2681، ترمذي 3917]

Hadith Commentary:
In the same way, in the end times, true Muslims will migrate and go to Madinah Munawwarah.
Hafiz (rahimahullah) said: This was during the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs (radi Allahu anhum); near the Day of Judgment, such an era will return again. And that is not difficult for Allah.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The analogy indicates that when faith spreads from Madinah Tayyibah to other cities, there will be no faith left in Madinah Tayyibah itself. However, this is not the case; rather, the meaning is that the source of faith sprang forth from Madinah Tayyibah.
From the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) until the three virtuous generations (qurun thalathah), Islam was greatly dominant.
After that, circumstances changed, innovations (bid‘at) became widespread, and false sects began to rob Muslims of their religion and faith with their poisonous, false beliefs.
Ultimately, near the end of times, faith will find refuge only in Madinah Tayyibah.
People will migrate to Madinah Tayyibah to save their faith, just as a snake leaves its hole and wanders here and there, then when it senses fear from anyone, it retreats back to its hole.

(2)
Near the end of times, there will come a period when, except for Madinah Tayyibah, there will be no believer left anywhere else.
It is mentioned in the hadith that Madinah Tayyibah will be the last of all cities to face destruction; this is because faith will remain in it until the very end.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
Islam began in Makkah,
spread from Madinah,
therefore its sanctuary is Madinah,
and in the final era, Islam in its true form will exist only in Madinah or in Makkah.

Benefits and Issues:
(1)
Because of love for Madinah, believers in every era have a longing to visit it.

(2)
Near the Day of Judgment, when disbelief will spread throughout the world, even at that time believers will still be present in Madinah.

Takhrij al-Hadith:
[صحيح بخاري 1876],
[صحيح مسلم 374]

Fiqh al-Hadith:
➊ It is understood that before the Day of Judgment, there will come a time when misguidance and disbelief will be widespread everywhere, but Madinah Tayyibah will remain safe from this tribulation.
➋ In every era until the Day of Judgment, a group from the Ummah will remain steadfast upon the truth.
➌ For a simile, it is not necessary that the thing being likened (mushabbah) and the thing to which it is likened (mushabbah bih) share every attribute.
➍ The Dajjal will not be able to enter Madinah.
➎ According to some scholars, both the cities of Madinah and Makkah, as well as the region of Hijaz, will remain safe from the tribulation of the Dajjal. «والله اعلم»
➏ A believer should always be concerned about safeguarding his faith.
➐ The purpose of giving the example of a snake is that just as, if a snake enters its hole, its enemies are unsuccessful in reaching it, similarly, the Dajjal and the disbelievers will be unsuccessful in taking control of Madinah Tayyibah, and Allah Ta'ala will keep the people of Madinah under His protection.