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سنن ابن ماجه
Ibn Majah
كتاب الفتنChapters on Tribulations
بَابُ : افْتِرَاقِ الأُمَمِChapter: The division of nations
Hadith 3994
اُردوEn
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ , حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ , عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو , عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ , عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ , قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " لَتَتَّبِعُنَّ سُنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ بَاعًا بِبَاعٍ , وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ , وَشِبْرًا بِشِبْرٍ , حَتَّى لَوْ دَخَلُوا فِي جُحْرِ ضَبٍّ لَدَخَلْتُمْ فِيهِ " , قَالُوا : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ , الْيَهُودُ , وَالنَّصَارَى ؟ قَالَ : " فَمَنْ إِذًا " .
´It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:` “You will most certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, arm’s length by arm’s length, forearm’s length by forearm’s length, hand span by hand span, until even if they entered a hole of a mastigure (lizard) you will enter it too.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said: “Who else?”
Related hadith on this topic
Brief Explanation
1؎: That is, step by step. «باع»: This refers to the length of both hands. «ذراع»: One hand, and «شبر»: one span.
2؎: The Jews and Christians did this: abandoning the Torah and the Gospel, they became immersed in following their rabbis and monks, and considered that alone to be their religion and faith. Muslims did the same: they completely abandoned the study, teaching, and practice of the Qur’an and Hadith, and instead, the books of other scholars became so widespread and renowned that the majority of Muslims began to follow only those books, except for whom Allah willed. A small group, the Ahl al-Hadith (may Allah reward them), in every era remained steadfast upon the Qur’an and Hadith. They never paid attention to corrupt opinions and false analogies. The ignorant, irreligious, and those simple-minded Muslims afflicted with innovation (bid‘ah) and polytheism (shirk) became hostile to this group, and the enemies of Islam also left no stone unturned in their enmity. However, the enmity and hostility of all these people never harmed these people of truth, and this true group will, until the Day of Judgment, remain dominant and steadfast with their true evidences. No one will be able to answer their proofs and arguments.
2؎: The Jews and Christians did this: abandoning the Torah and the Gospel, they became immersed in following their rabbis and monks, and considered that alone to be their religion and faith. Muslims did the same: they completely abandoned the study, teaching, and practice of the Qur’an and Hadith, and instead, the books of other scholars became so widespread and renowned that the majority of Muslims began to follow only those books, except for whom Allah willed. A small group, the Ahl al-Hadith (may Allah reward them), in every era remained steadfast upon the Qur’an and Hadith. They never paid attention to corrupt opinions and false analogies. The ignorant, irreligious, and those simple-minded Muslims afflicted with innovation (bid‘ah) and polytheism (shirk) became hostile to this group, and the enemies of Islam also left no stone unturned in their enmity. However, the enmity and hostility of all these people never harmed these people of truth, and this true group will, until the Day of Judgment, remain dominant and steadfast with their true evidences. No one will be able to answer their proofs and arguments.
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
Following the customs and practices of Jews and Christians leads to misguidance.
➋
Participating in the festivals of Jews, Christians, and Hindus creates affection for them, as a result of which their religion also begins to seem appealing.
When the ways and customs of disbelief start to seem preferable compared to Islam, then even the nominal existence of faith becomes difficult to maintain.
➌
“Ba‘” refers to the distance between the tips of both hands when they are stretched out to the right and left in opposite directions.
“Hand’s cubit” refers to the distance from the fingertips to the elbow.
➍
Trying to enter a lizard’s hole is an irrational act, but in following the Jews and Christians, these Muslims will not even consider whether this action or thought is correct or not—they will begin to follow it blindly without any thought.
➎
There are numerous examples of the implementation of this prophecy in the present era. For instance, a few years ago when the concept of socialism newly emerged, some Muslims began to interpret the texts of the Qur’an and Hadith in such a way as to prove that socialism is included in Islam.
When Russia abandoned this concept of socialism, these same people began to seek arguments from the Noble Qur’an in favor of Western democracy and absolute freedom.
Similarly, there is the cultural and civilizational onslaught of the West, to which the new generation of Muslims is rapidly falling prey.
May Allah protect us from it. (A‘adhana Allahu minhu.)
➊
Following the customs and practices of Jews and Christians leads to misguidance.
➋
Participating in the festivals of Jews, Christians, and Hindus creates affection for them, as a result of which their religion also begins to seem appealing.
When the ways and customs of disbelief start to seem preferable compared to Islam, then even the nominal existence of faith becomes difficult to maintain.
➌
“Ba‘” refers to the distance between the tips of both hands when they are stretched out to the right and left in opposite directions.
“Hand’s cubit” refers to the distance from the fingertips to the elbow.
➍
Trying to enter a lizard’s hole is an irrational act, but in following the Jews and Christians, these Muslims will not even consider whether this action or thought is correct or not—they will begin to follow it blindly without any thought.
➎
There are numerous examples of the implementation of this prophecy in the present era. For instance, a few years ago when the concept of socialism newly emerged, some Muslims began to interpret the texts of the Qur’an and Hadith in such a way as to prove that socialism is included in Islam.
When Russia abandoned this concept of socialism, these same people began to seek arguments from the Noble Qur’an in favor of Western democracy and absolute freedom.
Similarly, there is the cultural and civilizational onslaught of the West, to which the new generation of Muslims is rapidly falling prey.
May Allah protect us from it. (A‘adhana Allahu minhu.)
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 3994
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
When the Muslim empire was established, at first they adopted the customs, manners, and appearance of the Persians. Then, in later times, during the reign of the Mughal sultans, which lasted until 1200 AH, all their practices became prevalent.
To the extent that even the Ilahi calendar was introduced. After that, the British came to power, and now most Muslims are imitating them.
In eating, drinking, clothing, social customs, and manners of sitting and rising— in all these traditions, they are following them.
When the Muslim empire was established, at first they adopted the customs, manners, and appearance of the Persians. Then, in later times, during the reign of the Mughal sultans, which lasted until 1200 AH, all their practices became prevalent.
To the extent that even the Ilahi calendar was introduced. After that, the British came to power, and now most Muslims are imitating them.
In eating, drinking, clothing, social customs, and manners of sitting and rising— in all these traditions, they are following them.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 7319
