42. ✧ The trials (fitan)
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5185No grade recorded
ذَكَرَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ ؓ فَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ عُمَرَ ؓ فَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: بَعْدَ الثَّلَاثِينَ اصْرِفْ وَجْهَكَ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تَصْرِفَهُ إِلَّا إِلَى عَجْزٍ أَوْ فُجُورٍ
✧ He mentioned the Prophet ﷺ and praised him, then he mentioned Abu Bakr ؓ and praised him, then he mentioned Umar ؓ and praised him, then he said: 'After thirty [years], turn your face wherever you wish, for you will not turn it except to weakness or wickedness.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5186No grade recorded
وَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ: حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ فَذَكَرَ حَدِيثَ حُذَيْفَةَ ؓ الَّذِي تَقَدَّمَ فِي صَلَاةِ الضُّحَى.:
✧ And Abu Bakr said: Ibn Numayr narrated to us, from Muhammad b. Ishaq, and he mentioned the hadith of Hudhayfah ؓ which was mentioned earlier in the section on the Duha prayer.:
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5187No grade recorded
سَتَدُورُ رَحَى الْإِسْلَامِ بَعْدَ خَمْسٍ وَثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً، فَإِنِ اصْطَلَحُوا بَيْنَهُمْ عَلَى غَيْرِ قِتَالٍ أَكَلُوا الدُّنْيَا سَبْعِينَ عَامًا
✧ The millstone of Islam will turn after thirty-five years. If they make peace among themselves without fighting, they will enjoy the world for seventy years.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5188No grade recorded
أَلَا وَإِنَّ رَحَى الْإِيمَانِ دَائِرَةٌ، فَدُورُوا مَعَ الْكِتَابِ مِنْ حَيْثُ يَدُورُ
✧ Indeed, the millstone of faith is turning, so turn with the Book wherever it turns.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5189No grade recorded
إِنَّكُمْ فِي نُبُوَّةٍ وَرَحْمَةٍ، وَسَتَكُونُ خِلَافَةٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ، وَيَكُونُ كَذَا وَكَذَا، وَيَكُونُ مُلْكًا عَضُوضًا، يَشْرَبُونَ الْخَمْرَ، وَيَلْبَسُونَ الْحَرِيرَ، وَمَعَ ذَلِكَ يُنْصَرُونَ إِلَى قِيَامِ السَّاعَةِ
✧ You are in a time of prophethood and mercy. Then there will be a caliphate and mercy. Then there will be such and such, and then a biting kingship. They will drink wine and wear silk, and despite that they will be given victory until the Hour is established.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5190No grade recorded
إِنِّي خَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ، فَتَوَجَّهْنَا نَحْوَ حَائِطِ بَنِي فُلَانٍ، فَأَتَيْتُهُ بِطَهُورٍ، فَلَمَّا جَاءَ وَضَعْتُهُ لَهُ، فَجَعَلَ ﷺ يُصَعِّدُ بَصَرَهُ فِيَّ وَيُصَوِّبُهُ، قَالَ: وَيْحَكَ بَعْدِي فَبَكَيْتُ، فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، فَإِنِّي لَبَاقٍ بَعْدَكَ ؟ قَالَ ﷺ: نَعَمْ، فَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْبِنَاءَ عَلَى جَبَلِ سَلْعٍ فَالْحَقْ بِالْعَرَبِ أَرْضِ قُضَاعَةَ، فَإِنَّهُ سَيَأْتِي يَوْمٌ قَابَ قَوْسٍ أَوْ قَوْسَيْنِ، أَوْ رُمْحٍ أَوْ رُمْحَيْنِ
✧ I went out with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ one night, and we headed towards the garden of Banu So-and-so. I brought him water for purification, and when he came I placed it for him. He ﷺ began to raise his gaze at me and lower it. He said: 'Woe to you after me.' I wept and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, will I remain after you?' He ﷺ said: 'Yes. When you see buildings on Mount Sal', then join the Arabs of the land of Quda'ah. For there will come a day [when corruption is] a bow's length or two, or a spear's length or two.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5191No grade recorded
أَنَّهُ قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إِنَّا نَجِدُكَ قَائِمًا عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ، مُحْمَارَّةً وَجْنَتَاكَ، مُسْتَحْيِيًا مِنْ رَبِّكَ مِمَّا أَحْدَثَتْ أُمَّتُكَ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ
✧ He said: O Messenger of Allah, we find you standing before your Lord with your cheeks red, ashamed before your Lord because of what your community has introduced after you.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5192No grade recorded
إِنَّ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ ؓ خَرَجَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ حِينَ قُتِلَ عُثْمَانُ وَأَنَا مَحْمُومٌ، فَرَكِبْتُ فَلَحِقْتُهُ بِالسَّالِحِينَ، فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي بُسْتَانٍ، فَدَخَلْتُ فِي الْبُسْتَانِ، فَإِذَا نَفَرٌ جُلُوسٌ فِي أَقْصَى الْبُسْتَانِ، قَدْ تَوَضَّأَ وَالْمَاءُ يَسِيلُ عَلَى لِحْيَتِهِ، قَالَ: فَتَلَقَّيْتُهُ، قَالَ: فَحَمِدْتُ اللهَ تَعَالَى وَأَثْنَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَهُ: إِنَّهُ كَانَ لَكَ صَاحِبَانِ إِلَيْهِمَا الْمَفْزَعُ؛ حُذَيْفَةُ وَأَبُو مُوسَى، وَأَنْشُدُكَ اللهَ تَعَالَى وَأَنْشُدُكَ بِالْإِسْلَامِ، إِنْ كُنْتَ سَمِعْتَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي هَذِهِ الْفِتْنَةِ شَيْئًا إِلَّا حَدَّثْتَنِي بِهِ، وَإِلَّا اجْتَهَدْتَ رَأْيَكَ، فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: عَلَيْكَ بِعِظَمِ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ، فَإِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَجْمَعَ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ عَلَى ضَلَالَةٍ، وَاصْبِرْ حَتَّى يَسْتَرِيحَ بَرٌّ أَوْ يُسْتَرَاحَ مِنْ فَاجِرٍ
✧ Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari ؓ went out to Madinah when Uthman was killed, while I was feverish. So I mounted and caught up with him at al-Salihin, and he was in a garden. I entered the garden and found a group sitting at the far end of it. He had performed ablution and water was flowing on his beard. He said: I met him and praised Allah Almighty and extolled Him, then I said to him: You had two companions to whom people turned for refuge: Hudhayfah and Abu Musa. I adjure you by Allah Almighty and by Islam: if you heard anything from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about this trial, tell it to me; otherwise, exercise your own judgment. He praised Allah and extolled Him, then said: 'Keep to the main body of the community of Muhammad ﷺ, for Allah, Mighty and Majestic, will not gather the community of Muhammad ﷺ upon misguidance. Be patient until a righteous person finds rest or relief is found from a wicked person.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5193No grade recorded
لَمَّا قُتِلَ عَلِيٌّ ؓ لَقِيتُ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ ؓ فِي بَيْتِ دِهْقَانٍ بِالسَّالِحِينَ، فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: حَدِّثْنِي بِمَا سَمِعْتَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَلَا تَكْتُمْنِي، فَقَالَ: إِنَّا لَا نَكْتُمُ شَيْئًا أَيُّهَا الْفَتَى، فَعَلَيْكَ بِالْجَمَاعَةِ، وَإِيَّاكَ وَالْفُرْقَةَ فَإِنَّهَا الْفِتْنَةُ وَالضَّلَالَةُ، وَإِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَجْمَعَ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ عَلَى ضَلَالَةٍ
✧ When Ali ؓ was killed, I met Abu Mas'ud ؓ in the house of a landowner at al-Salihin and said to him, 'Tell me what you heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not conceal it from me.' He said, 'We do not conceal anything, young man. You must keep to the community, and beware of division, for it is tribulation and error. Verily Allah, Exalted is He, would not gather the community of Muhammad ﷺ upon error.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5194No grade recorded
سَتَكُونُ بَعْدِي فِتَنٌ كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ، تَصْدِمُ الرَّجُلَ كَصَدْمِ جِبَاهِ فُحُولِ الثِّيرَانِ، يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ فِيهَا مُسْلِمًا وَيُمْسِي كَافِرًا، وَيُمْسِي مُؤْمِنًا وَيُصْبِحُ كَافِرًا، فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ: فَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ؟ قَالَ ﷺ: ادْخُلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ، وَأَخْمِلُوا ذِكْرَكُمْ، فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ: أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ دُخِلَ عَلَى أَحَدِنَا بَيْتُهُ، قَالَ: فَلْيُمْسِكْ بِيَدِهِ، وَلْيَكُنْ عَبْدَ اللهِ الْمَقْتُولَ، وَلَا يَكُنْ عَبْدَ اللهِ الْقَاتِلَ، فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَكُونُ فِي قُبَّةِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَيَأْكُلُ مَالَ أَخِيهِ وَيَسْفِكُ دَمَهُ وَيَعْصِي رَبَّهُ وَيَكْفُرُ بِخَالِقِهِ وَتَجِبُ لَهُ جَهَنَّمُ
✧ After me there will be trials like patches of dark night, striking a man as the foreheads of raging bulls strike. A man will enter upon morning as a Muslim and reach evening as a disbeliever, and reach evening as a believer and enter upon morning as a disbeliever. A man said, 'What should we do at that time, O Messenger of Allah?' He ﷺ said, 'Enter your houses and keep your mention hidden.' A man said, 'What do you think if one of us has his house entered upon him?' He said, 'Let him restrain his hand and be the servant of Allah who is killed, not the servant of Allah who kills, for a man may be within the dome of Islam yet consume his brother's wealth, shed his blood, disobey his Lord, disbelieve in his Creator, and Hell becomes incumbent upon him.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5195No grade recorded
وَقَالَ أَبُو يَعْلَى: حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَكَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ بَهْرَامَ بِهِ.::
✧ And Abu Ya'la said: Muhammad b. Bakkar narrated to us, Abd al-Hamid b. Bahram narrated to us with it.::
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5196No grade recorded
لَا تَذْهَبُ الْأَيَّامُ وَاللَّيَالِي حَتَّى يَقُومَ الْقَائِمُ فَيَقُولَ: مَنْ يَبِيعُنَا دِينَهُ بِكَفٍّ مِنْ دَرَاهِمَ
✧ The days and nights will not pass until a claimant stands and says, 'Who will sell us his religion for a handful of dirhams?'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5197No grade recorded
خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا ارْتَفَعَتْ وَنَاسٌ عِنْدَ الْحُجُرَاتِ، فَقَالَ ﷺ: يَا أَهْلَ الْحُجُرَاتِ، سُعِّرَتِ النَّارُ، وَجَاءَتِ الْفِتَنُ كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ، لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا أَعْلَمُ لَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا وَلَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلًا
✧ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came out after the sun had risen, while people were near the rooms, and said ﷺ, 'O people of the rooms, the Fire has been kindled and trials have come like patches of dark night. If you knew what I know, you would weep much and laugh little.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5198No grade recorded
خُذُوا الْعَطَاءَ مَا دَامَ عَطَاءً، فَإِذَا صَارَ رِشْوَةً عَلَى الدِّينِ فَلَا تَأْخُذُوا، وَلَسْتُمْ بِتَارِكِيهِ، يَمْنَعُكُمْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْمَخَافَةُ وَالْفَقْرُ، أَلَا وَإِنَّ رَحَى الْإِيمَانِ دَائِرَةٌ، فَدُورُوا مَعَ الْكِتَابِ حَيْثُ يَدُورُ، أَلَا وَإِنَّ السُّلْطَانَ وَالْكِتَابَ سَيَفْتَرِقَانِ فَلَا تُفَارِقُوا الْكِتَابَ، أَلَا إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ عَلَيْكُمْ أُمَرَاءُ إِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ أَضَلُّوكُمْ وَإِنْ عَصَيْتُمُوهُمْ قَتَلُوكُمْ، قَالُوا: فَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ؟ قَالَ ﷺ: كَمَا صَنَعَ أَصْحَابُ عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ، حُمِلُوا عَلَى الْخَشَبِ، وَنُشِرُوا بِالْمَنَاشِيرِ، مَوْتٌ فِي طَاعَةِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ خَيْرٌ مِنْ حَيَاةٍ فِي مَعْصِيَتِهِ
✧ Take the gift as long as it is a gift, but when it becomes a bribe for religion, do not take it. You will not leave it; fear and poverty will prevent you from that. Indeed, the millstone of faith is turning, so turn with the Book wherever it turns. Indeed, the ruler and the Book will separate; do not abandon the Book. Indeed, there will be rulers over you: if you obey them, they will lead you astray, and if you disobey them, they will kill you. They said, 'What should we do, O Messenger of Allah?' He ﷺ said, 'As the companions of Jesus son of Mary (peace and blessings be upon him) did: they were carried on wood and sawn with saws. Death in obedience to Allah, Mighty and Exalted, is better than life in disobedience to Him.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5199No grade recorded
إِنَّ بَعْدِي أَئِمَّةً، إِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ كَفَّرُوكُمْ، وَإِنْ عَصَيْتُمُوهُمْ قَتَلُوكُمْ، أَئِمَّةَ الْكُفْرِ وَرُؤُوسَ الضَّلَالَةِ
✧ After me there will be leaders: if you obey them, they will declare you disbelievers, and if you disobey them, they will kill you—leaders of disbelief and heads of misguidance.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5200No grade recorded
إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ آفَةً تُفْسِدُهُ، وَإِنَّ آفَةَ هَذَا الدِّينِ وُلَاةُ السُّوءِ
✧ Everything has a defect that corrupts it, and the defect of this religion is evil rulers.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5201No grade recorded
أَقْبَلَ عُبَادَةُ ؓ حَاجًّا مِنَ الشَّامِ، فَقَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ، فَأَتَى عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ ؓ، فَقَالَ: أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِشَيْءٍ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ ؟ قَالَ: بَلَى، قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ: سَيَكُونُ عَلَيْكُمْ أُمَرَاءُ يَأْمُرُونَكُمْ بِمَا تَعْرِفُونَ، وَيَعْمَلُونَ مَا تُنْكِرُونَ، فَلَيْسَ لِأُولَئِكَ عَلَيْكُمْ طَاعَةٌ
✧ Ubada ؓ returned from Syria as a pilgrim and came to Madinah, then went to Uthman b. Affan ؓ and said, 'Shall I not inform you of something I heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?' He said, 'Yes.' He said, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: There will come rulers over you who command you to do what you recognize and do what you disapprove of; they have no obedience due from you.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5202No grade recorded
يَكُونُ أُمَرَاءُ لَا يُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِمْ، يَتَهَافَتُونَ فِي النَّارِ، يَتْبَعُ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا
✧ There will be rulers whose commands are not refused; they will tumble into the Fire, one after another.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5203No grade recorded
خَطَبَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ ؓ فِي يَوْمِ جُمُعَةٍ، فَقَالَ: إِنَّمَا الْمَالُ مَالُنَا، وَالْفَيْءُ فَيْئُنَا، مَنْ شِئْنَا أَعْطَيْنَا، وَمَنْ شِئْنَا مَنَعْنَا، فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ. فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ الْجُمُعَةُ الثَّانِيَةُ، قَالَ مِثْلَ مَقَالَتِهِ، فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ، فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ الْجُمُعَةُ الثَّالِثَةُ قَالَ مِثْلَ مَقَالَتِهِ، فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِمَّنْ شَهِدَ، فَقَالَ: كَلَّا، بَلِ الْمَالُ مَالُنَا، وَالْفَيْءُ فَيْئُنَا، فَمَنْ حَالَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُ، حَاكَمْنَاهُ بِأَسْيَافِنَا، فَلَمَّا صَلَّى أَمَرَ بِالرَّجُلِ فَأُدْخِلَ عَلَيْهِ، فَأَجْلَسَهُ مَعَهُ عَلَى السَّرِيرِ، ثُمَّ أَذِنَ لِلنَّاسِ فَدَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي تَكَلَّمْتُ فِي أَوَّلِ جُمُعَةٍ فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ أَحَدٌ عَلَيَّ، وَفِي الثَّانِيَةِ فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ أَحَدٌ عَلَيَّ، فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ أَحْيَانِي هَذَا أَحْيَاهُ اللهُ، سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ: سَيَأْتِي قَوْمٌ يَتَكَلَّمُونَ فَلَا يُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِمْ، يَتَقَاحَمُونَ فِي النَّارِ تَقَاحُمَ الْقِرَدَةِ، فَخَشِيتُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَنِي اللهُ مِنْهُمْ، فَلَمَّا رَدَّ عَلَيَّ هَذَا أَحْيَانِي أَحْيَاهُ اللهُ، وَرَجَوْتُ اللهَ أَنْ لَا يَجْعَلَنِي مِنْهُمْ
✧ Mu'awiya ؓ addressed us one Friday and said, 'The wealth is our wealth and the spoils are our spoils; we give to whom we will and withhold from whom we will,' and no one replied to him. The following Friday he said the same and no one replied. On the third Friday he said the same, and a man from those present stood up to him and said, 'No! Rather the wealth is our wealth and the spoils are our spoils; whoever comes between us and them, we will take him to judgment with our swords.' After praying, he ordered the man brought in and seated him with him on the couch, then permitted the people and they entered. He said, 'O people, I spoke on the first Friday and no one replied, and on the second and no one replied. On the third, this man revived me—may Allah revive him. I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: People will come who speak and are not contradicted; they will plunge into the Fire as monkeys plunge. I feared that Allah would make me one of them. When this man replied to me, he revived me—may Allah revive him—and I hope Allah will not make me one of them.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5204No grade recorded
إِلَى مِائَةِ سَنَةٍ يَبْعَثُ اللهُ رِيحًا بَارِدَةً طَيِّبَةً يَقْبِضُ فِيهَا رُوحَ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ
✧ By the hundredth year, Allah will send a cold, pleasant wind in which He will take the soul of every believer.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5205No grade recorded
وَقَالَ الرُّويَانِيُّ: حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَخْبَرَنَا بَشِيرٌ بِهِ. إِسْنَادُهُ حَسَنٌ.:
✧ Al-Rūyānī said: Al-Ḥasan b. Ibrāhīm narrated to us, ʿUbaydallāh b. Mūsā narrated to us, Bashīr informed us with it. Its chain is ḥasan.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5206No grade recorded
سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ، خَيْرُ الْمَالِ فِيهِ غَنَمٌ بَيْنَ الْمَسْجِدَيْنِ تَأْكُلُ الشَّجَرَ وَتَرِدُ الْمَاءَ، يَأْكُلُ صَاحِبُهَا مِنْ رِسْلِهَا، وَيَشْرَبُ مِنْ أَلْبَانِهَا، وَيَلْبَسُ مِنْ صُوفِهَا، أَوْ قَالَ " أَشْعَارِهَا "، وَالْفِتَنُ تَرْتَكِسُ بَيْنَ جَرَاثِيمِ الْعَرَبِ، وَاللهِ مَا يَعْبَؤُونَ، يَقُولُهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثَلَاثًا
✧ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "A time will come upon the people when the best wealth will be sheep between the two mosques that eat the trees and come to the water. Their owner eats from their milk, drinks from their milk, and wears from their wool—or he said 'their hair'—while the trials will be collapsing among the roots of the Arabs. By Allah, they will not care." He said it three times.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5207No grade recorded
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ بِتَبُوكَ: مَا فِي النَّاسِ مِثْلُ رَجُلٍ آخِذٌ بِرَأْسِ فَرَسِهِ مُجَاهِدًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ تَعَالَى وَيَجْتَنِبُ شُرُورَ النَّاسِ، وَمِثْلُ رَجُلٍ بَادٍ فِي نِعْمَةٍ يَقْرِي ضَيْفَهُ وَيُعْطِي حَقَّهُ
✧ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said while addressing the people at Tabūk: "There is no one among the people like a man who takes hold of his horse's head, striving in the path of Allah Almighty, and avoids the evils of the people; or like a man in the desert enjoying blessings, who honors his guest and gives him his due."
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5208No grade recorded
انْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَزُرْعَةُ بْنُ ضَمْرَةَ مَعَ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ إِلَى عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، فَلَقِيتُ عَبْدَ اللهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: يُوشِكُ أَنْ لَا يَبْقَى فِي أَرْضِ الْعَجَمِ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ إِلَّا قَتِيلٌ أَوْ أَسِيرٌ يُحْكَمُ فِي دَمِهِ، فَقَالَ لَهُ زُرْعَةُ: أَيَظْهَرُ الْمُشْرِكُونَ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْإِسْلَامِ ؟ فَقَالَ: مِمَّنْ أَنْتَ ؟ فَقَالَ: مِنْ بَنِي عَامِرِ بْنِ صَعْصَعَةَ، فَقَالَ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تَدَافَعَ مَنَاكِبُ نِسَاءِ بَنِي عَامِرِ بْنِ صَعْصَعَةَ عَلَى ذِي الْخَلَصَةِ. وَثَنٌ كَانَ مِنْ أَوْثَانِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ. قَالَ: فَذَكَرْنَا لِعُمَرَ قَوْلَ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، فَقَالَ: عَبْدُ اللهِ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُ، ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ عُمَرَ خَطَبَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ: لَا تَزَالُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي عَلَى الْحَقِّ مَنْصُورَةٌ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ أَمْرُ اللهِ. قَالَ: فَذَكَرْنَا لِعَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَوْلَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو: صَدَقَ نَبِيُّ اللهِ ﷺ، إِذَا أَتَى أَمْرُ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ كَانَ الَّذِي قُلْتَ
✧ I set out with Zurʿah b. Ḍamrah and al-Ashʿarī to ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb. I met ʿAbdallāh b. ʿAmr, who said: "Soon none of the Arabs will remain in the land of the non-Arabs except one killed or a captive whose blood is judged." Zurʿah said to him: "Will the polytheists prevail over the people of Islam?" He said: "Who are you from?" He said: "From Banū ʿĀmir b. Ṣaʿṣaʿah." He said: "The Hour will not come until the shoulders of the women of Banū ʿĀmir b. Ṣaʿṣaʿah press together around Dhū al-Khalaṣah—an idol that was one of the idols of the pre-Islamic era." He said: "We mentioned the statement of ʿAbdallāh b. ʿAmr to ʿUmar, and he said: 'ʿAbdallāh knows best what he says'—three times. Then ʿUmar gave a sermon on Friday and said: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "A group of my community will continue to be upon the truth, supported, until the command of Allah comes."'" He said: "We mentioned the statement of ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb to ʿAbdallāh b. ʿAmr, and ʿAbdallāh b. ʿAmr said: 'The Prophet of Allah ﷺ spoke the truth. When the command of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, comes, it will be as you said.'"
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5209No grade recorded
وَقَالَ أَبُو يَعْلَى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ بِهِ بِنَحْوِهِ.
✧ Abū Yaʿlā said: Abū Khaythamah narrated to us, Muʿādh b. Hishām narrated to us with it in a similar manner.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5210No grade recorded
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذٌ بِهِ::
✧ And Abū Saʿīd narrated to us, Muʿādh narrated to us with it.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5211No grade recorded
لَا تَزَالُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي عَلَى الْحَقِّ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ
✧ "A group of my community will continue to be upon the truth until the Hour comes."
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5212No grade recorded
وَقَالَ أَبُو يَعْلَى: حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أَبِي سَمِينَةَ الْبَصْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ بِهِ.:
✧ Abū Yaʿlā said: Muḥammad b. Ismāʿīl b. Abī Samīnah al-Baṣrī narrated to us, Abū Dāwūd narrated to us with it.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5213No grade recorded
خَرَجْتُ مَعَ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ، فَلَمَّا حَاذَيْنَا بِوَادٍ فِيهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ أَرْسَلَنِي إِلَيْهِ، فَقُلْتُ: أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ يَأْتِكَ ؟ قَالَ: فَأْتِنِي بِرَأْسِهِ، فَأَتَيْتُهُ، فَقُلْتُ: أَجِبِ الْأَمِيرَ. فَقَالَ: مَنِ الْأَمِيرُ ؟ فَقُلْتُ: مُسْلِمُ بْنُ عُقْبَةَ. فَقَالَ: وَمَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَصْنَعَ بِيَ الْأَمِيرُ وَقَدْ بَايَعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ بِيَدِي هَذِهِ، فَمَا نَكَثْتُ وَلَا بَدَّلْتُ ؟ فَاخْتَرَطْتُ سَيْفِي فَقُلْتُ: آتِيهِ بِرَأْسِكَ. قَالَ: فَهَاتِ. قُلْتُ: فَمَا يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ. فَقَالَ: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ عَهِدَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ: إِذَا رَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يُبَايِعُونَ الْأَمِيرَيْنِ فَخُذْ سَيْفَكَ الَّذِي جَاهَدْتَ بِهِ مَعِي فَاضْرِبْ بِهِ أُحُدًا حَتَّى يَنْكَسِرَ، ثُمَّ اقْعُدْ فِي بَيْتِكَ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَكَ يَدٌ خَاطِئَةٌ أَوْ مَنِيَّةٌ قَاضِيَةٌ
✧ I went out with Muslim b. ʿUqbah. When we came parallel to a valley in which Muḥammad b. Maslamah was, he sent me to him. I said: "What do you think if he does not come to you?" He said: "Then bring me his head." So I came to him and said: "Answer the amir." He said: "Who is the amir?" I said: "Muslim b. ʿUqbah." He said: "What does the amir want to do with me when I pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with this hand of mine, and I have not broken it or changed it?" So I unsheathed my sword and said: "I will bring him your head." He said: "Then bring it." I said: "What drives you to that?" He said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entrusted me, saying: 'When you see the people pledging allegiance to two amirs, take your sword with which you fought alongside me and strike with it a mountain until it breaks. Then sit in your house until a sinful hand or a decisive death comes to you.'"
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5214No grade recorded
أَيَعْجِزُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِذَا أَتَاهُ الرَّجُلُ يَقْتُلُهُ، يَعْنِي مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقِبْلَةِ، أَنْ يَكُونَ هَكَذَا، فَوَضَعَ إِحْدَى يَدَيْهِ عَلَى الْأُخْرَى، فَيَكُونُ كَخَيْرِ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ، فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَإِذَا بِقَاتِلِهِ فِي النَّارِ
✧ "Would any of you be unable, when a man comes to kill him—meaning from the people of the qiblah—to be like this?" He placed one of his hands on the other, "and thus be like the better of the two sons of Adam. Then he will be in Paradise, and his killer will be in the Fire."
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5215No grade recorded
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ خَبَّأَ لِابْنِ صَايِدٍ دُخَانًا، فَسَأَلَهُ عَمَّا خَبَّأَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ لَهُ: دُخٌّ، فَقَالَ: اخْسَأْ، فَلَنْ تَعْدُوَ قَدْرَكَ فَلَمَّا وَلَّى قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: مَا قَالَ ؟ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: دُخٌّ، وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: دِيخٌ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: قَدِ اخْتَلَفْتُمْ وَأَنَا بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ، وَأَنْتُمْ بَعْدِي أَشَدُّ اخْتِلَافًا.
✧ The Prophet ﷺ hid a smoke for Ibn Ṣayyād and asked him what he had hidden for him. He said: "Dukhkh (smoke)." He said: "Be off! You will never exceed your measure." When he turned away, the Prophet ﷺ said: "What did he say?" Some of them said: "Dukhkh," and some said: "Dīkh." The Prophet ﷺ said: "You have differed while I am still among you, and after me you will differ even more."
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5216No grade recorded
إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ رَجُلٌ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ حَتَّى إِذَا رَأَيْتَ بَهْجَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَكَانَ رِدْءًا لِلْإِسْلَامِ انْسَلَخَ مِنْهُ وَنَبَذَهُ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِهِ، وَسَعَى عَلَى جَارِهِ بِالسَّيْفِ، وَرَمَاهُ بِالشِّرْكِ. قُلْتُ: يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ، أَيُّهُمَا أَوْلَى بِالشِّرْكِ؛ الرَّامِي أَوِ الْمَرْمِيُّ ؟ قَالَ ﷺ: بَلِ الرَّامِي
✧ "Indeed, what I fear most for you is a man who recites the Qur'an until you see its radiance upon him, and he was a support for Islam, but then he strips away from it, casts it behind his back, attacks his neighbor with the sword, and accuses him of polytheism." I said: "O Prophet of Allah, which of the two is more deserving of being accused of polytheism—the accuser or the accused?" He ﷺ said: "Rather the accuser."
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5217No grade recorded
نَهَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْ بَيْعِ السِّلَاحِ فِي الْفِتْنَةِ
✧ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade selling weapons during trial.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5218No grade recorded
إِنَّ رَجُلَيْنِ اخْتَصَمَا إِلَى أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ ؓ فِي شِبْرٍ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ، فَقَالَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ: إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي أَرْضٍ فَسَمِعْتَ رَجُلَيْنِ يَخْتَصِمَانِ فِي شِبْرٍ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا. قَالَ: فَخَرَجَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ فَأَتَى الشَّامَ
✧ Two men disputed before Abu al-Darda' ؓ over a span of land. Abu al-Darda' said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'If you are in a land and you hear two men disputing over a span of land, leave it.' He said: So Abu al-Darda' left and went to Syria.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5219No grade recorded
خَيْرُكُمْ فِي رَأْسِ الْمِائَتَيْنِ الْخَفِيفُ الْحَاذِ. قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، مَا خِفَّةُ الْحَاذِ ؟ قَالَ: مَنْ لَا أَهْلَ لَهُ وَلَا مَالَ
✧ The best of you at the beginning of the two hundredth [year] is the light of burden, the one with few possessions. It was said: O Messenger of Allah, what is 'light of burden'? He said: 'One who has no family and no wealth.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5220No grade recorded
سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ يَحِلُّ فِيهَا الْعُزْبَةُ، وَلَا يَسْلَمُ لِذِي دِينٍ دِينُهُ إِلَّا مَنْ فَرَّ بِدِينِهِ مِنْ شَاهِقٍ إِلَى شَاهِقٍ، وَمِنْ جُحْرٍ إِلَى جُحْرٍ، كَالطَّائِرِ يَفِرُّ بِفِرَاخِهِ، وَكَالثَّعْلَبِ بِأَشْبَالِهِ، فَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ، وَاعْتَزَلَ النَّاسَ إِلَّا مِنْ خَيْرٍ، وَلَمِائَةُ شَاةٍ عَفْرَاءَ أَرْعَاهَا بِسَلْعٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ مُلْكِ بَنِي النَّضِيرِ، وَذَلِكَ إِذَا كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا
✧ A time will come upon the people when celibacy will be permissible, and no one's religion will be safe for a person of religion except one who flees with his religion from one mountain peak to another, and from one burrow to another, like a bird fleeing with its chicks, and like a fox with its cubs. Then he establishes prayer and gives zakat and withdraws from people except for good. A hundred reddish sheep that I pasture at Sal' would be more beloved to me than the kingdom of Banu al-Nadir, and that will be when it is such and such.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5221No grade recorded
جَعَلَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ خَمْسَ فِتَنٍ: فِتْنَةٌ خَاصَّةٌ، ثُمَّ فِتْنَةٌ عَامَّةٌ، ثُمَّ فِتْنَةٌ خَاصَّةٌ، ثُمَّ فِتْنَةٌ عَامَّةٌ، ثُمَّ تَجِيءُ فِتْنَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ مُظْلِمَةٌ، فَيَصِيرُ النَّاسُ فِيهَا كَالْبَهَائِمِ، فَأَقَرَّ بِهِ أَبُو أُسَامَةَ وَقَالَ: نَعَمْ
✧ Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has placed in this nation five trials: a specific trial, then a general trial, then a specific trial, then a general trial, then a black, dark trial will come, in which people will become like animals. Abu Usamah confirmed it and said: 'Yes.'
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5222No grade recorded
لَمَّا كَانَتِ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي فِي صَبِيحَتِهَا يَفْرُغُ النَّفَرُ الَّذِينَ اسْتَخْلَفَهُمْ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ ؓ مِنَ الْخِلَافَةِ، صَلَّيْتُ الْعِشَاءَ، ثُمَّ انْصَرَفْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَنِمْتُ، فَأَيْقَظَنِي مِنَ النَّوْمِ صَوْتُ خَالِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ، يَا مِسْوَرُ، قَالَ: فَخَرَجْتُ مُشْتَمِلًا بِثَوْبِي، قَالَ: أَنِمْتَ ؟ قُلْتُ: نَعَمْ، قَدْ نِمْتُ. قَالَ: خُذْ عَلَيْكَ ثَوْبَكَ ثُمَّ الْحَقْنِي إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ، فَفَعَلْتُ. فَلَمَّا انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ لِي: ادْعُ لِيَ الزُّبَيْرَ وَسَعْدًا أَوْ أَحَدَهُمَا، فَانْطَلَقْتُ فَدَعَوْتُهُ، فَلَمَّا انْتَهَيْتُ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ: اسْتَأْخِرْ عَنَّا قَدْرَ مَا لَا تَسْمَعُ كَلَامَنَا. قَالَ: فَفَعَلْتُ فَتَنَاجَيَا شَيْئًا يَسِيرًا، ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُ لِيَ الْآخَرَ، فَلَمَّا انْتَهَيْتُ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ: اسْتَأْخِرْ عَنَّا قَدْرَ مَا لَا تَسْمَعُ كَلَامَنَا. قَالَ: فَتَنَاجَيَا شَيْئًا يَسِيرًا، ثُمَّ نَادَى: يَا مِسْوَرُ، اذْهَبْ فَادْعُ لِيَ عَلِيًّا، وَذَلِكَ حِينَ ذَهَبَتْ فَحْمَةُ الْعِشَاءِ. قَالَ: فَجِئْتُ بِعَلِيٍّ، فَقَالَ: اسْتَأْخِرْ عَنَّا قَدْرَ مَا لَا تَسْمَعُ كَلَامَنَا. قَالَ: فَلَمْ يَزَالَا يَتَكَلَّمَانِ مِنَ الْعِشَاءِ حَتَّى كَانَ السَّحَرُ، إِلَّا أَنَّنِي لَمْ أَسْمَعْ مِنْ فِيهِمَا مَا أَظُنُّنِي أَنَّهُمَا قَدْ أَقْبَلَا. فَلَمَّا كَانَ السَّحَرُ، نَادَانِي وَعَلِيٌّ ؓ عِنْدَهُ، فَقَالَ: اذْهَبْ فَادْعُ لِيَ عُثْمَانَ ؓ، قَالَ: فَفَعَلْتُ. فَتَنَاجَيَا، وَأَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ بِالصُّبْحِ، قَالَ: فَتَفَرَّقُوا لِلْوُضُوءِ، وَقَدْ عَلِمَ النَّاسُ أَنَّهَا صَبِيحَةُ الْخِلَافَةِ، فَاجْتَمَعُوا لِلصُّبْحِ، كَمَا يَجْتَمِعُونَ لِلْجُمُعَةِ، فَأَمَرَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ ؓ النَّفَرَ أَنْ يَجْلِسُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ الْمِنْبَرِ، فَلَمَّا أَبْصَرَ النَّاسُ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا وَطَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَامَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ ؓ إِلَى جَنْبِ الْمِنْبَرِ، فَحَمِدَ اللهَ تَعَالَى وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، قَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ الَّذِي كَانَ مِنْ وَفَاةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَاسْتِخْلَافِهِ إِيَّانَا أَيُّهَا النَّفَرُ، وَرَضِيَ أَصْحَابِي أَنَّ ذَلِكَ إِلَيَّ، فَأَخْتَارُ رَجُلًا مِنْهُمْ، وَهَؤُلَاءِ هُمْ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيكُمْ، ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَهُمْ رَجُلًا رَجُلًا، فَقَالَ: أَيْ فُلَانُ، عَلَيْكَ عَهْدُ اللهِ وَمِيثَاقُهُ لَتَسْمَعَنَّ وَلَتُطِيعَنَّ لِمَنْ وَلَّيْتُ وَلَتَرْضَيَنَّ وَلَتُسَلِّمَنَّ ؟ فَيَقُولُ: نَعَمْ، رَافِعًا صَوْتَهُ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ، حَتَّى فَرَغَ مِنْهُمْ رَجُلًا رَجُلًا: عُثْمَانُ وَعَلِيٌّ وَالزُّبَيْرُ وَسَعْدٌ ؓ. قَالَ: أَمَّا طَلْحَةُ فَأَنَا حَمِيلٌ بِرِضَاهُ. ثُمَّ قَالَ: إِنِّي لَمْ أَزَلْ دَئِبًا مُنْذُ ثَلَاثٍ أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ النَّفَرِ، ثُمَّ سَأَلْتُهُمْ عَنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ، فَوَجَدْتُكُمْ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ وَإِيَّاهُمُ اجْتَمَعْتُمْ عَلَى عُثْمَانَ ؓ، قُمْ يَا عُثْمَانُ، فَلَمْ يَقُلْ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَلَا الْأَنْصَارِ وَلَا وُفُودِ الْعَرَبِ وَلَا صَالِحِي النَّاسِ: إِنَّكَ لَمْ تَسْتَشِرْنَا، وَلَمْ تَسْتَأْمِرْنَا، فَرَضُوا وَسَلَّمُوا، فَلَبِثُوا سِتَّ سِنِينَ لَا يَعِيبُونَ شَيْئًا. قَالَ: كَانَ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ يُفَضِّلُونَهُ عَلَى عُمَرَ ؓ، يَقُولُونَ: الْعَدْلُ مِثْلُ عُمَرَ، وَاللِّينُ أَلْيَنُ مِنْ عُمَرَ، ثُمَّ حَدَثَ مَا حَدَثَ
✧ On the night whose morning the group whom Umar ibn al-Khattab ؓ had appointed as successors would finish the matter of the caliphate, I prayed Isha and then went to my home and slept. My maternal uncle Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, may Allah have mercy on him, woke me from sleep, saying: 'O Miswar.' He said: I came out wrapped in my garment. He said: 'Did you sleep?' I said: 'Yes, I slept.' He said: 'Take your garment and join me at the mosque.' I did so. When I reached him, he said to me: 'Call for me al-Zubayr and Sa'd, or one of them.' I went and called him. When I brought him to him, he said: 'Stay back from us enough that you do not hear our conversation.' He said: I did so, and they conversed privately a little. Then he said: 'Call for me the other one.' When I brought him to him, he said: 'Stay back from us enough that you do not hear our conversation.' He said: They conversed privately a little. Then he called: 'O Miswar, go and call Ali for me,' and that was when the darkness of Isha had passed. He said: I brought Ali, and he said: 'Stay back from us enough that you do not hear our conversation.' He said: They continued talking from Isha until it was the time of sahur, except that I did not hear from their mouths what I thought they had turned to. When it was sahur, he called me while Ali ؓ was with him, and said: 'Go and call Uthman ؓ for me.' He said: I did so. They conversed privately, and the mu'adhdhin called the adhan for Fajr. He said: They dispersed for ablution, and the people knew that it was the morning of the caliphate, so they gathered for Fajr as they gather for Friday prayer. Abd al-Rahman ؓ ordered the group to sit before the minbar. When the people saw one another and the sun rose, Abd al-Rahman ؓ stood by the minbar, praised Allah Almighty and extolled Him as He deserves, then said: 'O people, you know of the death of the Commander of the Faithful and his appointing us, the group, and my companions agreed that the matter be referred to me, so I choose a man from among them, and these are before you.' Then he faced them one by one and said: 'O so-and-so, upon you is the covenant and pledge of Allah: will you listen and obey the one I appoint, and be content and surrender?' He would say: 'Yes,' raising his voice so the people could hear, until he finished with them one by one: Uthman, Ali, al-Zubayr, and Sa'd ؓ. He said: 'As for Talha, I am a guarantor for his consent.' Then he said: 'I have not ceased toiling for three days asking you about these people, then I asked them about themselves, and I found you, O people, and them united upon Uthman ؓ. Rise, O Uthman.' No man among the Muhajirun, the Ansar, the Arab delegations, or the righteous people said: 'You did not consult us or seek our command.' They were content and surrendered, and they remained six years without criticizing anything. He said: A group of them used to prefer him over Umar ؓ, saying: 'Justice like Umar, and gentleness softer than Umar,' then what happened happened.
al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 5223No grade recorded
كَانَ كُلَّمَا دَعَا رَجُلًا مِنْهُمْ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ ذَكَرَ مَنَاقِبَهُمْ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: إِنَّكَ لَهَا لَأَهْلٌ، فَإِنْ أَخْطَأَتْكَ فَمَنْ ؟ فَيَقُولُ: إِنْ أَخْطَأَتْنِي فَعُثْمَانُ ؓ
✧ Whenever he called one of them that night, he would mention their virtues, then say: 'You are indeed worthy of it. If it misses you, then who?' He would say: 'If it misses me, then Uthman ؓ.'