The people used to ask Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about the good but I used to ask him about the evil lest I
should be overtaken by them. So I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! We were living in ignorance and in an
(extremely) worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e., Islam); will there be any evil
after this good?" He said, "Yes." I said, 'Will there be any good after that evil?" He replied, "Yes, but
it will be tainted (not pure.)'' I asked, "What will be its taint?" He replied, "(There will be) some
people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds
and disapprove of some others." I asked, "Will there be any evil after that good?" He replied, "Yes,
(there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever will respond to their
call, will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire." I said, "O Allah s Apostle! Will you describe them
to us?" He said, "They will be from our own people and will speak our language." I said, "What do
you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?" He said, "Stick to the group of
Muslims and their Imam (ruler)." I said, "If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam (ruler)?"
He said, "Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite (eat) the roots of a tree till death
overtakes you while you are in that state."
Narrated by Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman:
Context
In this narration, Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman shares his approach of asking the Prophet (ﷺ) about potential evils rather than just focusing on good. The Prophet (ﷺ) warns him about future challenges and the emergence of misguided individuals. This highlights the importance of awareness and vigilance in maintaining one's faith.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a cautionary reminder for Muslims to remain vigilant against misleading ideologies and practices. It encourages individuals to seek knowledge and guidance to navigate challenges in their faith journey.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community and Warning because it addresses the importance of community awareness and the need to be cautious of misleading influences within the Muslim community.
What comes to you of good is from Allah, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muhammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allah as Witness.
Say, "Shall we invoke instead of Allah that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allah has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], 'Come to us.' " Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.
They ask you about the sacred month - about fighting therein. Say, "Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Haram and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allah. And fitnah is greater than killing." And they will continue to fight you until they turn you back from your religion if they are able. And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire, they will abide therein eternally.
This hadith is #6819 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Afflictions and the End of the World. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman:.