The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Disagreement will occur at the death of a caliph and a man of the people of Medina will come flying forth to Mecca. Some of the people of Mecca will come to him, bring him out against his will and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam. An expeditionary force will then be sent against him from Syria but will be swallowed up in the desert between Mecca and Medina. When the people see that, the eminent saints of Syria and the best people of Iraq will come to him and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam.
Then there will arise a man of Quraysh whose maternal uncles belong to Kalb and send against them an expeditionary force which will be overcome by them, and that is the expedition of Kalb. Disappointed will be the one who does not receive the booty of Kalb. He will divide the property, and will govern the people by the Sunnah of their Prophet (ﷺ) and establish Islam on Earth. He will remain seven years, then die, and the Muslims will pray over him.
Abu Dawud said: Some transmitted from Hisham "nine years" and some "seven years".
Narrated by Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin:
Context
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) foretold a time of discord following the death of a caliph, where a man from Medina would be forced into leadership. This hadith illustrates the challenges of leadership and the trials that the Muslim community would face. It emphasizes the importance of unity and adherence to the Sunnah during turbulent times.
Modern Application
In modern times, the significance of strong leadership and community unity is evident in various organizations and movements. This hadith serves as a reminder of the need for collective support and adherence to shared values, especially during times of uncertainty.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Teachings and Prophetic Warning because it conveys the Prophet's insights into future events and the importance of following his guidance during times of conflict.
Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.
And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest will come to you in which is assurance from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Moses and the family of Aaron had left, carried by the angels. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers."
This hadith is #4287 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of The Promised Deliverer (Kitab Al-Mahdi). It is graded Hasan and narrated by Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin:.