Narrated Sa`id Al-Umawi: I was with Marwan and Abu Huraira and heard Abu Huraira saying, "I heard the trustworthy, truly inspired one (i.e. the Prophet ) saying, 'The destruction of my followers will be brought about by the hands of some youngsters from Quraish." Marwan asked, "Youngsters?" Abu Huraira said, "If you wish, I would name them: They are the children of so-and-so and the children of so-and-so."
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) must have informed Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) of these names, which is why Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) used to say, "O Allah! Keep me safe from the year 60 AH and from the rule of the youths." This very year is when Yazid became king.
Most youths do not pass through experiences, and therefore, often in leadership and authority, they prove to be sources of corruption, that is, they bring about harm.
This is the very reason that most of the Messengers were granted the station of Prophethood only after reaching the age of forty.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 3605
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
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By destruction is meant that the young men of Banu Umayyah will begin to commit such acts that will become a cause of destruction for the people, and due to them, there will be fighting, conflict, and bloodshed among the people.
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By "ummah" is not meant all people until the Day of Judgment, but rather those people who were present at that time or those in the nearby vicinity are intended.
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Some people have also considered Marwan to be included in the purview of this hadith, although in one narration it is mentioned that when Marwan heard this hadith, he said: "May Allah's curse be upon those boys."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Fitan, Hadith: 7058)
In this same narration, there is an additional detail that the narrator of the hadith, Amr ibn Yahya, said: "I went with my grandfather to Marwan when he had taken control of the land of Sham, and what we saw was that there were young boys who were firmly seated in positions of authority. He said to us, 'It is possible that these are the ones intended by this hadith.' We said, 'You know best.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Fitan, Hadith: 7058)
It is possible that by (غِلْمَةُ) in the hadith, the young men of Banu Umayyah are meant, because after the martyrdom of Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), many Muslims were killed at the hands of Banu Umayyah. In any case, this hadith also contains information about future events. Whatever the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) informed about happened exactly as we have described.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 3605
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
They had heard the names of the oppressive rulers directly from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, but due to fear, they could not mention them openly.
Qastallani said that by this calamity is meant either the discord that occurred at the end of the caliphate of Uthman radi Allahu anhu, or the war that took place between Ali radi Allahu anhu and Amir Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu.
Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated from Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu in a marfu‘ (attributed to the Prophet) narration: "I seek refuge in Allah from the rule of boys."
If you obey them, it is the destruction of religion, and if you do not obey them, they will destroy you.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 7058
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
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To run governmental affairs, just as broad experience, intellect and insight, and extensive knowledge are required, so too are forbearance and great patience necessary. But when foolish, ignorant, inexperienced, and emotional types of reckless youths seize control of the government, destruction is inevitable. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has indicated this very matter: that the destruction of my ummah will be at the hands of the foolish youths of Quraysh, as clarified in one narration. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The destruction of my ummah will be at the hands of the foolish, unintelligent youths of Quraysh."
(Musnad Ahmad: 2/45)
➋
Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah has written that what is meant here is not that the rulers will be physically underage, but rather that they will be intellectually immature, religiously unqualified, and incompetent in terms of governance. Just as "ummah" refers to the people of that time or those in its vicinity, likewise, "destruction" here refers to moral ruin.
(Fath al-Bari: 13/13)
Ibn Battal has said that the explanation of "destruction" is found in another hadith. Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) said:
"I seek refuge with Allah from the rule of children."
The people asked:
"What is meant by this?" He said: "If you obey them, your religion will be ruined, and if you disobey them, they will destroy you."
The purpose of Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) was that in such circumstances, rebellion is not permissible, because it is a path to destruction. However, one should not fall short in speaking the word of truth.
(Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah, no. 3191; al-Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah: 5/49, no. 19082; Fath al-Bari: 14/13)
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 7058