Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "At the beginning of your religion (the system of governance) will be Prophethood and mercy, then kingship and mercy, then kingship like clay, then royal dictatorship in which wine and silk will be considered lawful." Imam Darimi (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about 'af'ar, so he said: It is like clay in which there is no good.