﷽
WHO ARE THE STRANGERS?
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Islaam began as something strange and it will return to being strange as it began. So Toobaa is for the strangers.”
(Sahih Muslim, 262)
In another narration, it was said to the Prophet (ﷺ):
Who are they (the Strangers), O Messenger of Allaah?’ He, (ﷺ) replied: ‘Those who rectify (themselves/others) when the people have become corrupt.’
(Musnad Ahmad, 16249)
Scholars have differed on the meaning of Toobaa, but the one perceived to be most correct is that Toobaa refers to a tree in Paradise which the Prophet (ﷺ), spoke of when he said:
“Verily, there is a tree in Paradise under the shadow of which a rider can travel for a hundred years without being able to cover (it’s distance) completely.”
(Saheeh Muslim 2827)
Al-Sindi said in Hashiyat Ibn Majah:
“Strange” refers to the small number of its adherents. The basic meaning of ghareeb (a stranger) is being far from one’s homeland. “And will revert to being strange” refers to the small number of those who will adhere to its teachings even though its followers are many. “So Tooba is for the strangers” means those who follow its commands. “
The point here is that Islaam will return to being strange towards the end of time just as it was something strange at the beginning when Muhammad (ﷺ) received the revelation. Muslims would be perceived now how the Sahaabah were perceived then.
The Ghurabā won’t be perceived as strangers by just non-Muslims but also by Muslims as well. As the world evolves and everyone becomes more civilized, many Muslims want to act “civilized” too, no matter the detriment it has on their religion. They view those who stick to their religion as “extremists”. It’s as if they are not aware that the rest of the world will perceive Islaam the way we Muslims portray it, so even the non-Muslims view them as extremists. Even more saddening is the fact that they are the ones who speak more badly about their Muslim brothers.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Rather, you must enjoin good and forbid evil until you see greed being obeyed, desires being followed, worldly life being preferred, and everyone is impressed by their own opinion. Then you must take care of yourself and leave the common people. Verily, ahead of you are days of patience in which patience will be like grasping a hot coal. The one who does good deeds in that time will have the reward of fifty men who do likewise.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3058)
The Ghurabā are not large in number, and that’s why this hadith is there, to give heart and courage to the Ghurabā; to give you that enthusiasm so you do not lose hope and you do not lose heart. Allaah, (ﷻ) aids the believers, even if they are few in number, and the Ghurabaa they are indeed few.
Do not be afraid of the people such that you stop practicing, or you stop speaking. The fear of the people should not stop you from speaking the truth or doing what’s right. Your reward is not with anyone, it’s with Allaah (ﷻ) alone.
It may be hard, but ignore them and keep your sights on the ultimate prize – the reward from Allaah.
May Allaah (ﷻ) continue to guide us aright.
آمِيْن
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🕋 ISLAM GENERATION DA’WAH GROUP
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