Sahifah Hammam

Explanation of the Hadith:
In the explanation of the aforementioned hadith, keep the following points in mind: «تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَةُ» The Day of Judgment will certainly be established; there is no doubt about it. Thus, Allah the Exalted says:
«إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ» [طٰهٰ: 15]
“Indeed, the Hour is coming—I will surely manifest it—so that every soul may be recompensed for what it strives for.”
And before that, «تَقْتَتِلَ فِئْتَانِ عَظِيْمَتَانِ» “Two great groups will fight each other.” Most scholars say that this prophecy of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam refers to the battle that took place between Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhu and Sayyiduna Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu. Their evidence is: «دَعْوَهُمَا وَاحِدٌ» “Both groups will have the same claim.” Both groups claimed that they were Muslims and were fighting for the truth. And it is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhu himself that he said regarding Sayyiduna Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu and his group that they are our brothers who have rebelled against us; they are neither disbelievers nor sinners (fasiq).

Allamah Ayni rahimahullah says:
“To discuss these groups is questionable; it is best to remain silent regarding them.” And this is the correct approach.

However, the explanation of this hadith should not be limited only to these two groups; it can also refer to other battles that have occurred from later times until today, or even to such great wars that may occur in the future, because the wording of the hadith indicates generality, so it should not be restricted. «والله اعلم»

The combatants remain believers; make peace between them:
Allah the Exalted has commanded reconciliation between groups that transgress against each other. Thus, He says:
«وَإِن طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّىٰ تَفِيءَ إِلَىٰ أَمْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ فَإِن فَاءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ» [الحجرات: 9]
“And if two groups of the believers fight each other, then make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, then fight against the one that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. If it returns, then make peace between them with justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”

Reflect that despite the fighting, Allah the Exalted has called these combatants believers. From this noble verse, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah and many other hadith scholars have deduced that no matter how great the sin, it does not expel a person from the fold of faith, as the Khawarij and their followers, the Mu'tazilah, declare the perpetrator of a major sin to be outside the fold of faith. [صحيح بخاري، كتاب الايمان، باب: "وان طائفتن من المومنين" قبل حديث رقم: 31]

In Sahih Bukhari itself, in the hadith of Hasan from Abu Bakrah, it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam delivered a sermon one day, and Hasan ibn Ali radi Allahu anhuma was with him on the pulpit. He would look at him and then at the people, and then said:
«إِنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا سَيِّدٌ، وَلَعَلَّ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُصْلِحَ بِهِ بَيْنَ فِئَتَيْنِ عَظِيمَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ» [صحيح بخاري، كتاب الصلح، رقم: 2704]
“This son of mine is a leader, and perhaps Allah will bring about reconciliation between two great groups of Muslims through him.”

This prophecy of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam came true. After prolonged wars and terrifying events, Allah the Exalted granted him (Hasan radi Allahu anhu) the ability to reconcile the people of Syria and the people of Iraq. For details of this reconciliation, see: [صحيح بخاري، كتاب الصلح، رقم: 2704]