Najd and Iraq in Light of Authentic Hadiths: Clarifying a Misconception

Adapted from the original work of Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (Hafizahullah), organized with clear headings and scholarly structure.

❖ Misunderstandings about Najd: The Reality​

Numerous misconceptions surround the region of Najd, with some individuals attempting to apply authentic Hadiths referring to Iraq’s Najd to the Najd of the Hijaz. This misinterpretation is often used to malign the reformist movement of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab (رحمه الله). This article presents the true context of these Hadiths with clarification from classical scholars.

❖ Outline of Discussion​

◉ Authentic Hadiths about the tribulations arising from Najd
◉ Clarification through other authentic narrations
◉ Verification through opinions of renowned scholars and linguists

➊ First Section: Authentic Hadiths about Najd​

Hadith 1:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O Allah! Bless our Sham! O Allah! Bless our Yemen!”
The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what about our Najd?” The Prophet ﷺ repeated the blessings for Sham and Yemen, and upon the third request, said:
“There will be earthquakes and tribulations there, and from there the horn of Satan will emerge.”
(Musnad Ahmad: 2/118, Sahih Bukhari: 7094, Sunan Tirmidhi: 3953)

Hadith 2:
Ibn ‘Umar (RA) reported the Prophet ﷺ turned to the east and said:
“Indeed, tribulations will emerge from here. From here the horn of Satan will rise.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 7093, Sahih Muslim: 2905)

Hadiths 3–5:
All affirm that fitnah and the horn of Satan would emerge from the East, with repeated emphasis on the same direction.
(Sahih Bukhari: 7092, 3279; Sahih Muslim: 2905; Muwatta Malik: 2/975; Sahih Bukhari: 3301; Sahih Muslim: 52)

➋ Second Section: Clarifying Hadiths through Other Authentic Sources​

Hadith 1:
Ibn ‘Umar (RA) stated:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ pointing toward Iraq and saying: ‘Indeed, tribulations will emerge from there, and the horn of Satan will rise from there.’”
(Musnad Ahmad: 2/143)

Hadith 2:
When someone asked the Prophet ﷺ to pray for Iraq, he responded:
“There will be earthquakes and tribulations, and from there the horn of Satan will rise.”
(Musnad al-Shamiyyin: 1276, Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir: 1/131)

Hadith 3:
In response to a plea to bless Iraq, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“That is a land of earthquakes and tribulations, and from there the horn of Satan will emerge.”
(Mu‘jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 12/384)

➌ Scholarly Clarification: Najd Refers to Iraq​

According to linguists and Hadith scholars, the Najd mentioned in these Hadiths refers to Iraq, not Najd in the Hijaz.

Linguistic Definitions:
◉ Ibn Manzur: "The elevated land from Tihamah to Iraq is called Najd."
(Lisan al-‘Arab: 3/413)

◉ Ibn Athir: "Najd refers to elevated land near Iraq, outside the Hijaz."
(Al-Nihayah: 5/19)

◉ Al-Khattabi: "For the people of Madinah, Najd refers to the lands toward Iraq and its surroundings to the East."
(I‘lam al-Hadith: 2/1274)

➍ Explanations from Classical Scholars​

◉ Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr:
"The Prophet’s indication toward the East was because major tribulations like the murder of ‘Uthman (RA), the battles of Jamal and Siffin—all arose from there."
(Al-Istidhkar: 8/519)

◉ Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani:
"The emergence of trials from Iraq was foretold by the Prophet ﷺ."
(Fath al-Bari: 13/13)

◉ Al-Andalusi:
"Trials such as the martyrdom of ‘Uthman and battles of Jamal and Siffin originated from Iraq."
(Al-Istidhkar: 8/519)

◉ Al-‘Ayni:
"The Prophet ﷺ's pointing East referred to fitnah including the emergence of the Khawarij and other disruptions."
(‘Umdat al-Qari: 24/200)

❖ Summary​

The authentic Hadiths and scholarly consensus clearly indicate that the Najd referred to in these narrations is Iraq, not the Najd of Hijaz. Therefore, labeling Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab's reform movement as a "fitnah" based on these Hadiths is baseless and incorrect both academically and theologically.

❖ Supplication​

May Allah grant us understanding of the truth and the ability to accept it.