11-26-2003, 02:49 PM
Allaah's Messenger, Sallallaahu 3alayhi wa 3alaa Aalihee wa Sallam, said, "A time will come upon the people in which their hearts are like the hearts of the non-Arabs. They love the Dunyah. Their traditions will be that of the bedouins. Any provision that Allaah Gives them they will spend upon their animals. They will consider Jihaad to be harmful and charity to be a loss."
Arabic of the Hadeeth:
ليأتين على الناس زمان؛ قلوبهم قلوب الأعاجم؛ حب الدنيا، سنتهم سنة الأعراب، ما أتاهم من رزق جعلوه في الحيوان، يرون الجهاد ضررا، والزكاة مغرما
Reported by at-Tabaraanee, al-Albaanee said in as-Silsilah as-Saheehah #3357 that its chain is good (Jayyid), all of its narrators are trustworthy.
Some benefits from this Hadeeth:
1. It is a proof of the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallaahu 3alayhi wa 3alaa Aalihee wa Sallam, because it came to pass as he foretold.
2. It is Makrooh (disliked) to imitate the culture and traditions of the non-Arabs. There are other Hadeeths to indicate this. There is a discussion of this issue in the great book by al-Imaam Ibn Taymeeyah titled Iqtidaa' as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem Mukhaalafat As7aab al-Ja7eem. Some parts of that book have been translated.
3. It is Makrooh to imitate the culture and traditions of the bedouins. This is supported by the fact that they are described in the Qur'aan and Sunnah as being hypocritical, having hard hearts, and being arrogant. It is also indicated by the fact the Prophet, Sallallaahu 3alayhi wa 3alaa Aalihee wa Sallam, prohibited for the city person to migrate to the bedouin areas to live their. Though, he permitted it in the times of great tribulations (Fitnah).
4. It is imitation of the non-Arabs to be obsessive in treatment of animals. This is obvious in Western culture where killing 1 million children in 'Iraaq is a disputable issue, but having beastality with an animal is permitted by their laws in some of their lands as long as the 'animal is not hurt'. They are willing to donate millions for 'animal rights', but for millions of innocent children, no value is given.
Of course, good treatment of animals is praiseworthy and rewarded by Allaah. But there is a difference between good treatment and obsessive treatment. Look at the case of one's own self. It is good to feed one's self, particularly if their is a good intention involved, like strengthening one's self for worship. But it is not good to exaggerate in such.
5. Beliving charity to be a loss. This is obvious in our times, how we see many peoples feeling tremendous sorrow when they are asked to donate money for a noble cause. Or they feel horrible when donating money to the orphans and weak.
6. Considering Jihaad to be harm! Isn't this the way of the government scholars? Who have sold their Deen? Isn't it the way of the pacifist 'Da3wahs'? Like the Ikhwaan al-Muslimeen, Jamaa3at at-Tableegh, democratic Salafeeyah, Madkhaleeyah, Islamtoday'ers? They say the benefit is in dropping Jihaad for education and reform, and the greatest harm and Fitnah is in adopting it as a Manhaj for change?! What is their response to this Hadeeth?:
Hudhayfah said to Allaah's Messenger, Sallallaahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam, "Do you see this good that Allaah Gave us, is there any evil after it like there was before it?" He said, "Yes." I said, "What is the salvation from it?"
He said, "The sword." (Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #3569)
7. The problem of loving the Dunyaa. It is the cause of many evils, and one of the major causes of the Ummah's sufferings today. Due to love and obsession with the Dunyaa, people have feared death and disliked war. This is why it is mentioned alongside those two (fearing death and disliking war) in some Hadeeths. So these people sat back and waited for the Kaafir nations to overpower them.
Allaah Knows best.