Abdullah ibn Masud narrated from The Prophet (peace be upon him) who said: “If only one day of this world remained. Allah would lengthen that day till He raised up in it a man who belongs to me or to my family whose father’s name is the same as my father’s, who will fill the earth with equity and justice as it has been filled with oppression and tyranny.” (Abu Dawwud)
The Prophet said: “If there only remains but one day left in the world, Allah will prolong it until a man from my house governs. He will open Constantinople (Istanbul) and the Mountain of Al-Daylam (in Iran).” (Ibn Hibban, At-Tirmizi, Abuya’li, At-Tabarani, Al Bazaar, Abu Nuaym and Al Hakim.)
Al-Hakim narrated from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (ra) that he said: “The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “At the end of time, a severe tribulation will descend upon my Ummah (the entire Ummah not Just a section of it) from their ruler (Saddam Hussein who invaded Kuwait, this began all the events leading to the Duhaima which caused the second invasion of Iraq). A worse tribulation will not have been heard of before (it resulted in the domination of the muslim world not just Iraq, prior to this time the media still wondered what the muslim world would do if they invaded, since the answer was nothing they only became bolder), until the earth’s expanse is constricted upon them (the Ummah), and until the earth is filled with tyranny and oppression, so that the mu’min will find no refuge from the oppression (the oppression of the Duhaima). Then, Allah (after it ends) will send a man from my descendants (when it clears) who will fill the earth with equity and justice as it had been filled with oppression and tyranny (the Mahdi). The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth will be pleased with him. The earth will not withhold any of its growth, but will bring it out, neither will the sky withhold a drop, but Allah will pour it out upon them in showers. He will live among them for seven years, or eight, or nine. The living will wish that the dead were brought to life again to witness the great good that Allah brought about for the people of the earth.”
Abu Umamah said the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing upon him) said: “The People asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who will be the Imam (leader) of the people at the time?’ He Said: “He will be from my progeny and will be forty years of age. His face will shine like a star and he will have a small black spot on his right cheek. He will don two Qutwaani cloaks (traditional Jewish Cloaks worn by the people of Afghanistan) as if he is from the bani Israil (jewish tribes, the pashtun of the region are their descendants who converted to Islam at the hands of the companions). He will rule for 20 years and will conquer the cities of the Mushrikeen”. (Tabarani)
Anas ibn Maalik said that he heard the Messenger of Allah ‘say, “We, the children of ‘Abdul-Muttalib, are the chiefs of the dwellers of Paradise, I, Hamzah (the prophets Uncle), ‘Ali, Ja’far (one of the first to accept Islam), Al-Hasan, Al-Husain (his grandchildren), and Al-Mahdi.” (Ibn Maajah)
“The Mahdi will have wheat-ich complexion, long straight nose, eye brows round like a bow, big black eyes, very white front teeth with a spacing between them, a small black spot on the right cheek, face glowing like a shining star, a mark on his shoulder like that of the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), complexion like the Arabs and body like the bani Israil (Jews). He will be slow in speech (with a slight stutter) and when he stutters, he will strike his left thigh with his right hand. He will appear at the age of 40. While praying to Allah, he will expand his hands for prayer like birds expanding their wings. He will be wearing Qutwani Cloaks. He will resemble in character the Prophet Muhammad (blessing in peace be upon him), but in appearance, he will be different. (Muhammad Al-Barzanji in Isha’ah li Ashrat al-Sa’a).
Ali (r.a.) said, “The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘The Mahdi is one of us, from among the people of my household. In one night Allah will inspire him and prepare him to carry out his task successfully.'” (Ahmad and Ibn Maajah.)
Abi Sadek said: “The Mahdi does not emerge until the Sufyani emerges on the ashes (of the Muslim nation).” (Nuaim bin Hammad) meaning after it is devastated by wars and can not recover it’s leadership or authority, and many of the Arabs have died.
Ali bin Abi Taleb (r.a.) said: “If the Sufyani’s Cavalry marsh’s to Kufa (Iraq), the people of Khorasan (Afghanistan and the surrounding area) will be requested to come to aid. The people of Khorasan will come out seeking the Mahdi. So, the Hashimi (al Mansur, mentioned at the end go the Ahadith about the civil war in Sham) with an army carrying black banners, at its front end is Shuayb bin Salih (Al Harith in other Ahadith, their leader), will meet the followers of the Sufyani at Istakhar Gate and a great battle will occur between them. The black banners will be victorious. Sufyani’s Cavalry will run away. At that time, people will wish for the Mahdi (to appear) and ask for him.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
Al Zuhari said ” The black flags will come from the East, led by mighty men, with long hair and beards, their last names are taken from the names of their home towns and their first names are from a Kunya (nick name, usually starts with ‘Abu’, which means ‘father of”).” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
The Prophet (saws) said “If you see the black flags coming from Khurasan, join that army, even if you have to crawl over ice, for this is the army of the Khaliph, the Mahdi and no one can stop that army until it reaches Jerusalem.” (Mustadrak al Hakim).
From the narration’s we can establish a general timeframe for his appearance, not long after Allah lifts the era of Dictators and ends the rule of the Ruwaybidah instability will cause the tribes in Suadi Arabia to contest the throne after the death of one of their rulers, when no one win’s this battle and the Arabs are militarily and politically weak, tyrants (warlords) will begin to appear in Arabia one after the other, the Euphrates river will dry up uncovering a mountain of Gold and Silver over which Muslims will fight, the main warlord is called al Sufyani, he will send an Army to Iraq so the people will request help from the people of Khurasan (Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan etc.) they will respond to their call and it will be at this time that the Black Banners from the East will come to fight him and the remaining warlords that emerge after him, they will establish the dominion of the Mahdi (ra) who will appear six years after they first appear, mentioned in narration’s.
There are narrations that say two or more Sufyani’s not just one will appear, meaning a number of tyrants (warlords) will appear who’s ancestry is traced back to Abu Sufyan during this time, the prophet (saws) mentioned they will be from the tribe of Kulaib in syria and the bulk of their Army will consist of this tribe. Even today this prophecy is a reality because basher al Asad comes from this very tribe, a minority sect placed in power by colonial France nearly 100 years ago. If we where to translate what the Ahadith said into modern language, then to put it simply, after being defeated in this civil war the ruling class of Syria will attempt to take back control of Syria through a number of warlords they raise to power. They will then try to dominate the Arab world after much instability and war and even attack the Mahdi (ra), which isn’t surprising since they are not Sunni muslims, they are a mix of something between Shia Islam and Christianity.
Ammar binYasir said: “When the Sufyani reaches Kufa (Iraq) and kills the supporters of the family of Muhammad (saws), the Mahdi will (eventually) come (after this) and the bearer of his Banner (who will establish his dominion) will be Shuayb, the son of Salih.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
Ibn Kathir (r.a) said: The Mahdi (ra) whose name is Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah, Allah will rectify him in a single night — meaning that He will forgive him, guide him, make him understand, and make him wise, after not having been of that description. Allah will provide him with help from the people of the East, who will support him and establish his rule. Their flags will be black, a color which carries with it dignity. The flag of the Messenger of Allah was black, and it was called Al-lqaab. Khaalid ibn Waleed planted it in the ground in Ath-Thunayyah, which is eastern Damascus. This is when he came from Iraq…Similarly, when the Prophet, entered Makkah during its conquest, he wore a black helmet on his head; and according to another narration he was wearing a black turban over his helmet.
After sanctions are placed on Syria we will see sanctions placed on Egypt, the land of Egypt is central to prophecies surrounding the Hour in both Islam and Christianity because soon after it’s occupation and near destruction the Great War, Armageddon, will occur between the Muslims who are the people of these prophetic lands mentioned in the Injeel and the Romans (Europeans) who will invade them. The Muslim’s during it will be led by Imam Mahdi (ra) who will appear after the sanctions and conflicts in Egypt begin.
Abu Zarr said the the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “There will be, from Bani Umayya, a man in Egypt (a descendant from the founders of the Ummayid Dynasty and Abu Sufyan) who will succeed the Sultan (ruler). He will be overpowered or stripped of power. So, he flees to the Romans. He (will then) bring the Romans to the lands of Islam. This is the beginning of the battles (with the Romans that will lead to the Great War).” (Nuaim bin Hammad, Kitab al-Fitan)
Abd Allah Bin Amr Ibn Al-Aas stated that: “If you see a tyrant of the tyrants of the Arabs fleeing to the Romans, that will be a sign for the Alexandria Battle (to occur, with the European invasion of Egypt through Alexandria).” (Nuaim bin Hammad, Kitab al-Fitan)
Abd Allah Bin Amr Ibn Al-Aas stated that “If you see or hear about a tyrant in a city who is overpowered by another, and flees to the Romans, then that is the beginning of the greater confrontations. The Romans will come after the Muslims.” (Nuaim bin Hammad, Kitab al-Fitan)
The Prophet, (upon whom be blessings and peace) said, “A man of the Umayyads will take power in Egypt and then his power will be taken from him, or wrested from him, and he will flee to Byzantium (the Romans, Europe) and enlist them against the people of Islam; and that will be the first of the battles (between the muslims and Europe).” (Tabarani)
This hadith could be referring to Europe in general or Byzantium specifically which is modern day Istanbul, at present Turkey is trying to join the European Union, it is more the likely that by the eventuality of these events they would have joined, so this tyrant will flee to them and they will enlist the rest of Europe to invade the lands of Islam, this is a real possibility because the prophet (saws) specifically says that the turks will invade Egypt.
Hence between now and then Turkey will be lost to Europe and this is the reason why the Mahid (ra) will have to conquer it again just before the Dajjaal (Allah’s curse be upon him) emerges, it is also a real possibility that they will fight on the side of Europe in the Great War against the Muslims, which is why the prophet doesn’t even mention it as a muslim country during this time, many scholars throughout history were at a loss as to which time the prophet (saws) intended these Ahadith, the first time it was conquered by the Ottomans or second time by the Mahdi (ra).
Amar bin Yusr said: “The sign of the Mahdi is the Turks sweep down against you (both Turkey and southern Russia). Your Caliph who seeks wealth dies (causing the three sons of that family to fight over the Kingdom, none will get it) and you elect a successor after him who is weak so he gets deposed after 2 years from the Bay’a (the three son’s don’t win the war over succession so the people will elect a ruler). A Khusf (land collapse) occurs in the West end of Damascus mosque (this is the Second of the three Major Earthquakes at the end of time, the one in the West). The emergence of three individuals (three warlords in Sham named Abqa’ , Ash-Hab, and Sufyani) in AshSham. The attack of People of the West (the people of the Maghreb) on Egypt (to defend it). This is (the beginning of) the reign of the Sufyani.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan )
When the European’s dominate Egypt the people of North Africa (the Maghreb) will rise up against them, they will attack them and force them out of Egypt to stop the sanctions, when this occurs the European’s will retaliate and Invade Egypt through Alexandria, the people of North Africa will fight them again and upon winning they will head towards Syria and force them out of Syria which they had similarly been dominating.
The people of the East will carry Black flags during this time while the People of North Africa will carry Yellow Flags.
Najeeb bin Al-Sirri said: the “People of Maghreb will go on 2 expeditions: one of them (the initial conflict) ends by reaching Qantara of Fustat (old Cairo) and (they will) tie their horses to it. The other one is to Sham (Greater Syria).” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s book Kitab Al-Fitan)
Aqba bin Amer Al-Juhni said: ” If the People of Maghreb go on an expedition (The initial expedition), the Romans will take over the Maghreb (North Africa). Alexandria, Egypt and the coast of Sham (Syria and Lebanon) will be devastated.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s book Kitab Al-Fitan)
Najeeb bin Al-Sirri said, “Abd-Rahman (their leader at the time) leads the People of the Maghreb (North Africa) in an expedition, (the second one), when the Romans have taken over Alexandria. So, they (the people of Maghreb) will fight them (Romans) and defeat them and get them out.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s book Kitab Al-Fitan)
Abdullah bin Rashid said that he heard his father say: “A man from Quraish of well-known ancestry from his father’s and his mother’s side will angrily flee to the Romans. So, they accept him and honor him. There are twenty months (1 year, 8 months) from the day he leaves to the Romans until he comes with the Romans’ ships to Alexandria…” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab al-Fitan)
This chaos will be occurring all within a few years of each other, initially after the People of the East have taken control of Jerusalem, the people of the Maghrib will head towards Sham (Syria), but they will confront the people of the East for political control when they see the people Black flags have differed amongst each other.
Why they attacked the people of the East is not clear from Ahadith but they will have mixed intentions, people among them having good and bad reasons, because the Ahadith indicate what Allah’s decree is upon them at the end, what becomes of them after they finish fighting.
Al-Zubri said: “If the black banners differ among each other, the yellow banners will attack them. They will meet at the Qantara of the People of Egypt (Old Cairo). The people of the East (the black banners) and the people of the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, or Tunis, with yellow banners) fight each other for seven (7 days or 7 months). The people of the East will be defeated to the extent that (the people of the Maghreb) will land in Al-Ramla (in Palestine, an area they used to control). Something will happen between the people of Sham (Syria) and the people of the Maghreb that will make the people of the Maghreb angry. So the people of the Maghreb will say: We came to aid you and you do what you are doing, we will quit (tilting the balance of power) between you and people of the East! They warn you because the people of Sham (Syria) will be few in number in the eyes of the people of Maghreb. Then, the Sufyani will come out and the people of Sham (Syria) will follow him (It isn’t clear which Sufyani this is). So, he will fight the people of the East (Ahadith relate that the people of the East will fight a number of Sufyani’s, this seems to be the second one).” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s book Kitab Al-Fitan)
The ahadith indicate that the People of the Maghreb don’t believe that the Black Banners which have emerged, are the Mahdi’s army preparing the way for him, because they will take up this large responsibility to aid Egypt agains the might of Europe, then they will go on to help Syria, neither conflicts involved them so they aiding what they perceive are their muslim brothers and fighting for Allah.
This confusion is more than likely occurring because in Islam’s History many false claimants have used the symbol of the black flags for political control so they will doubt who the people of the east are, Allah will judge the people of the Maghreb according to their actions and intentions.
The Prophet (saws) said “A people will come out of the East who will pave the way for the Mahdi.” (Ibn Majah)
Abdullah bin Al-Harith bin Jiz Al-Zubaidi said that the Prophet (saws) said : “People from the East will come to assist the Mahdi in laying the foundation for his dominion.” (Ibn Maja, Tabarani) meaning he will emerge only after they have paved the way for him in what was once a corrupt Arabia.
The Prophet (saws) said referring to the Black Banners: A man called al-Harith ibn Harrath will come forth from Ma Wara an-Nahr (meaning the region between two rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya rivers, roughly present day Afghanistan, Uzbeckistan and Tajekistan). His army will be led by a man called Mansur who will establish or consolidate things for Muhammad’s family as Quraysh consolidated them for the Messenger of Allah (saws). Every believer must help him, or he said: respond to his sermons (Aid him). (Sunan Abu Dawwud)
“Al-Harith, a farmer” is a description of him and is the wording in most narration’s. Some have: “al-Harith ibn Harrath”, the word “Harrath” being a name and not a description, and Allah knows better. “Ma Wara’ an-Nahr” is the old Arabic name for the area beyond the River Oxus, which covers present day Uzbekistan and Tajikstan.
The Prophet Mohammad (saws) said: ” A man will come out from the East before the Mahdi, from his Household (family), carrying a sword for 8 months, killing and maiming people. He heads toward Jerusalem and dies once he reaches (conquers) it.” (Nuaim Ibn Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
This Hadith indicates that when the people of the East emerge it will take them 8 months before reaching Jerusalem, as the next Hadith indicates this man is al Mansur (ra), al Harith’s General, and he will die upon reaching Jerusalem.
Muhammad bin Al-Hanafia, said: ” A black banner (army battalion) of Bani Al-Abbas (the Prophet Mohammad’s uncle, Al-Abbas descendants) will come out (this prophecy refers to the rule of the Abbasid Khalifah). Then, another black banner (army battalions) will come from Khorasan (in the future). Their turbans are black and their clothes are white. At their front end will be a man named Shuayb bin Salih, from (the tribe of) Tamim (this is Al Harith’s other name). They will defeat the supporters of the Sufyani (and proceed further) until he (Shuayb bin Salih) arrives to Jerusalem (were) he will lay the foundation for the Mahdi’s (future) dominion. He will be supplied with three hundred (men) from AshSham (Syria). From the time, he comes out (from Khorasan) until he hands over the matter (rule) to the Mahdi, there will be seventy two months (six years)” (Nuaim Ibn Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan).
During this period we will see the many wars between them and the Sufyani warlords, as well as the wars of the people of the Maghreb and Europe, Egypt will be devastated and the coast of Sham, Syria and Lebanon will be devastated.
Saeed bin Al-Musayyab reported: “Black Banners will come from the East from the descendants of Al-Abbas (the Abbasids). They will remain for whatsoever Allah wishes (their Khalifah will last as long as Allah wills). Then, small Black Banners from the East will come to fight a man from the descendants of Abu Sufyan (in the future). They will give their allegiance to the Mahdi” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s book Kitab Al-Fitan).
Shuab bin Salih (ra), who is, al Harith, a farmer, is the leader of the Black Banners and al Mansur is his general, al Mansur will die upon reaching Jerusalem, the Army will emerge six years before Imam Mahdi (ra) appears they will eventually swear allegiance to him. In term’s of Islam’s time on earth six years is not a long time compared to 1400 years, this is why in most Ahadith say they will appear just before the Mahdi (ra).
The Ahadith give a time frame for the emergence of the tyrant al Sufyani, he will appear and last for 9 months, Ka’b said: “He (Sufyani) will rule for the pregnancy period of a woman (meaning 9 months). His (Sufyani’s) name is Abdullah bin Yazid and he is the Al-Azhar ibn Al-Kulaiba or Al-Zahri bin Al-Kulaiba, the physically deformed Sufyani.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
Another Sufyani will emerge and last for a longer period, Sulaiman bin Isa said: “I was told that the Sufyani will rule for three and a half years.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan). We should keep in mind that their may be a gap in time between the time each Sufyani warlord appears.
Several narrations specify that one of the the Sufyani’s names will be Urwa ibn Muhammad and his Kuniya (nick name) will be Abu-Utba.
It seem’s two of the Sufyani’s will be deformed in some way, Artat bin Al-Munzir said: ” After Al-Azhar ibn Al-Kulaiba (the Sufyani) enters Kufa (in Iraq), he will suffer from Qarha (an illness), so he leaves it, then dies on his way. Then, another man from them (Bani Kulaiba or Kalb his tribe) emerges (and succeeds him) from between Al-Taif and Makkah or between Makkah and Medina … in Hijaz. He is physically deformed, has a flat face, strong arms, his eyes are inwardly set deep in his eye sockets. At his time, the Hadda (powerful, hammering sound) will occur.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
Al-Zuhri said: “The people of AshSham offer Bay’a (allegiance) to the Sufyani. He defeats the people of the East (the black banners), kicking them out of Palestine….and follows them and defeats them in several more locations, including Qirqisia. He will suffer from Qarha (an illness) in his throat and after entering Kufa (in Iraq), he leaves it and dies once he reaches the outskirts of AsSham (greater Syria). The people of AshSham will offer Bay’a to the son of Al-Kulaiba (another warlord) whose name is Abdullah bin Yazid bin Al-Kulaiba. His eyes are inwardly set deep in his eye sockets and his face is deformed. Once the people of the East know about the death of Sufyani, they say the reign of the people of Sham is finished. So, they rise up. Once Ibn Kulaiba learns about this rise up, he sends an army. They fight and the defeat will be for the people of the East. Ibn Kulaiba’s army will enter Kufa and kill the fighters (of people of the East) and takes their children and women, and destroys Kufa. Then, he will send an army to Hijaz (Makkah & Madina).” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
During this period, just before the Mahdi, a powerful sound will be heard around the earth, Artat bin Al-Munzir said: “At the time of the second Sufyani, the Hadda (powerful, hammering sound) occurs, such that every nation thinks the land or nation next to them was devastated.” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab Al-Fitan)
If we can image that the entire earth during this time hears a powerful sound that is like massive Hammering. It will be an asteroid that will hit the earth, this Hammering sound is reported in a number of narrations sometimes translated as the Blast in Arabic it is called Al-Hadda.
Kab said, “The star thrown (by Allah) is a Shahab (an asteroid) that rushes from the sky with a powerful sound when it drops in the east and because of it, people will experience magnificent disasters (the natural disasters witnessed at the end of time will be because of it)” (Nuaim bin Hammad’s Kitab al Fitan).
What is unique here is that asteroids have been hitting earth for a long time with out man witnessing natural disasters occurring, so the idea that huge natural disasters will begin because of them isn’t an obvious conclusion the companions could have drawn by themselves. It isn’t a natural consequence a desert people could surmise or know from experience regarding the earth and it’s climate.
It is indicated by narration’s as well as prophecies mentioned in the bible that this asteroid will hit America (mentioned indirectly by both) causing it’s destruction, this could be the possible cause for the Great smoke, that will fill the earth from the east to west, mentioned in the Quran (Surah Dukhan) to occur at the end of times for 40 days.
America is in fact mentioned in narration’s a number of times by the prophet (saws), we will mention some of them here, the first and most obvious are the narration’s regarding the sanctions on Iraq which they placed and the fitnah of the Duhaima which occurred because of them.
The prophet (saws) also said that towards the end of time “you will see the destruction of civilization and the civilization of destruction”. The destruction of civilization began in WW1 and was complete by WW2, all the Empires and old Civilization’s of the world by this point in time had been abolished and most of the world followed new systems of governance, this destruction was mentioned in the narration that spanned the 20th century up to our time.
After WW2 the Civilization of Destruction emerged as the dominant power in the world, Civilization isn’t the bricks and mortar but the way of life a people lead, America was called the Civilization of destruction because it forced it’s way of life onto the world ending most world cultures that existed (this is something similarly mentioned in the Bible). At this point in time a single world culture that is homogeneous exists dominating all societies on earth, through this culture and civilization almost every single minor sign of the hour was fulfilled, and all the minor signs related to the moral degradation and destruction of society.
In the Injeel the book of revelation’s mention a Great Empire that will emerge towards the end which will dominate the entire earth through trade, it is called Babylon the Great or the Mysterious Babylon, a reference to the fact the first Babylon was the corrupting force in the ancient world. The prophecies regarding it are a near exact description of America and its recent history over the past century.
The way America is perceived today is a far cry from it’s beginnings, and as many in the United States have commented themselves, the country is no longer the America of old. In the 18th century a newly colonized America chose to cut ties with the British colonies seeking independence and a better way of life, this resulted in a long and bloody war. As a consequence of America’s eventual independence, the British Empire blocked all trade to America by sea, they removed any protection they once had from piracy, and actively created animosity between sailors and their employers, the European Empire’s of the time.
Effectively they painted a target on the country and it stopped Europe trading with American settlers cutting them of not simply from trade but science and technology as well, this could have stunted the development of their civilization at a crucial time in their history. Whilst Europe were looking for ways to take advantage of this situation, the new American colony gained one of the main sponsors in the world at the time removing the blockade entirely, that of the Islamic Khalifate.
They protected American trade through European and African waters ensuring the country was not isolated from civilization in their infancy and in return America Paid the Jizya tax, they signed a treaty of Peace and Friendship known as the Treaty of Tripoli.
The Islamic Khalifate at the time was the richest and most powerful Empire in the world and not in need of the Jizya tax, it would be interesting to know if they again would offer their aid, which they were famously known for around the world, if they had known what would become of America after WW2.
The prophet (saws) said in another hadith that mention’s America, “There will come a people at the end of time from (both) the east and the west and they will have power over my Ummah (nation) so woe to the weak of my Ummah that follows them, and woe to them from Allah (taala).”
These people will dominate the weak in the Ummah of Muhamad (saws), setting up the system of the Ruwaybidah, dominate means they will control and influence them, the weak among the muslims wont have Strength in their Iman (faith) so they will be swayed by them in doing what they want.
The description of America is unique because how can a single nation dominate the entire Muslim world all at the same time when it spans from Africa to China, considering travel and communications in the ancient world. So from this description we know it speaks about America who was the only single nation to do that in Islam’s history, as the hadith mentions they will be a new people coming towards the end of time, and America was discovered very recently in man’s history on earth.
A “People that come from (both) the east and the west” – if we look at that sentence from the Urf of language (it’s traditional use), the only place that falls in the east and the west now is America, “qawmun” meaning one people that come from both the east and the west at the same time, viewing the world map, in the ancient world Morocco was called “al maghrib al aqsa” the furthest west, and Asia was “al mashriq al aqsa” the furthest east and people did not have any idea of anything beyond that until they discovered America, now they have something that falls both in the east and the west by the old map.
If we look at the earth from the perspective of Arabia, what’s west of America is the east and whats east of America is the west, a similar narration is mentioned in Shia works regarding them.
In a lengthy hadith enumerating the signs of the Hour, the prophet (saws) said “Mosques will have external decorations and beauty and there will be worshippers too but there will be hypocrisy and mutual enmity in their hearts. Then will appear a people from the West who will dominate the weak among my people. People will produce copies of the Holy Quran in letters of gold but will not act upon it” (Mudkhal of Ibn-al-Hajj).
The full list of signs mentioned in this narration themselves make the timing of these people and their identity very clear, they refer to the degradation of society that occurred over the last half century or so because of western culture spreading around the world.
The Injeel mentions that Allah will plunge America into darkness at the hands of the people it trades with, which will destroy it, it is mentioned in narration’s and the injeel that the Asteroid or Blast that will destroy America completely will occur at a later date than the falloff it’s civilization, closer to the time of the Mahdi (ra), in the later parts of the 6 year rule of the people of the East (literally “Kings of the East” in the Injeel).
Saudi Arabia at present is a stable country it would be more reasonable to assume that civil instability will occur after large events have changed the political landscape of that region, America being their main supporter.
Al-Hakim narrated from Abu Hurayrah (ra), from the Prophet (saws) that he said: “There will be a blast [haddah] in Ramadhan (the Holy Islamic month) that will awaken one who is asleep, and terrify one who is awake. Then there will appear a group [isabah, a party] in Shawwal [the following month], then bloodshed in Dhul-Hijjah [two months later], then the prohibitions will be violated in al-Muharram [the following month], then there will be death in Safar [the following month], then the tribes will conflict with each other in Rabi [the following month], then the most amazing thing will happen between Jumada and Rajab [two months later and will itself span two months]. Then, a well-fed she-camel will be better than a castle sheltering a thousand”.
This is because it will be a year of starvation and famine, and trade around the world will be disrupted, most likely due to the Meteor blast and the Smoke that will spread across the earth for 40 days, as well as the instability of the region. The meteor will change the political landscape in Saudi Arabia causing factions in the country because America is now devastated.
The Bloodshed mentioned here is not the civil war but later instability just before the Mahdi (ra) because in a sahih hadith it is mentioned the civil war will occur before the Black flags appear.
The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Three men will be killed at the place were your treasure is (the Kaaba). Each of them will be the son of a Khalifah (ruler), and none of them will get hold of the treasure. Then black banners will come out of the east…’ If you see him (the Mahdi), go and give him your allegiance, even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is the Khalifah of Allah, the Mahdi.'” (Ibn Majah, Sahih)
So a more accurate chronological order would be, America is plunged into Darkness and Power shift to Europe, the Euphrates river drying up preparing the way for the black flags in the east, the ruler of Saudi Arabia passes away, civil war ensues over succession, the Sufyani emerges from Syria after or before the Civil War in Saudi Arabia, then the black flags will appear to aid the people of Iraq against the Sufyani conquering Arabia and Jerusalem, they will be offered rule over the Arabs but they will refuse it saying they will only accept the rule of the Mahdi (ra), nearing the end of their six year rule the Sound (or Meteor) will occur causing further instability in the region. The people of Saudi Arabia will elect a ruler during this time but he will be deposed after two years, this will eventually lead to the factions and massacres after the Meteor mentioned in the Hadith above.
Nu’aym ibn Hammad narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (ra), from the Prophet (saws) that he said: “When there is a scream [sayhah] in Ramadhan, then there will be bloodshed in Shawwal [the following month], and the tribes will form groups in Dhul-Qi’dah [the following month], and blood will be spilled in Dhul-Hijjah, and al-Muharram! [the following months and it lasts for two months] What will happen in al-Muharram?” [in the following month] saying it three times, “Indeed, indeed! The people will be killed in a great massacre.”
“We said: “What is the scream, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “This will be in the middle of Ramadhan, on a Friday morning. That will be when the month of Ramadhan begins on a Friday night. There will be a blast [haddah] that will awaken one who is asleep, and bring the young women out of their rooms, on a Friday night during a year of many earthquakes and severe cold. So when Ramadhan begins on a Friday night in that year, then when you have prayed Fajr on Friday in the middle of Ramadhan, then enter your houses, close your doors, block your windows, cover yourselves, and block your ears. When you sense the scream, fall down in prostration to Allah [ta’ala] and say: “Subhanal-Quddus, subhanal-Quddus, rabbunal-Quddus [Glory be to the Most Holy, glory be to the Most Holy, our Lord is the Most Holy].” For whoever does that will survive, and whoever does not will be destroyed.”
This is because the Blast that results from the meteor is a punishment from Allah and this dua will protect a person from the shock wave’s spiritual ramifications that will spread around the earth with the sound it creates. Destroyed here means it will affect mans fate, the dua will protect one spiritually as the prophet (saws) said the only thing that can change fate is a persons Dua, and this is the nature of Allah’s punishment it affects all levels of creation both physical and spiritual.
An example of this are the lands on earth Allah has cursed, the lands of the people of Lot and the people of Ad, it is Haram in Islam to enter them or even look at them when one is passing them because the curse of Allah upon that land is permanent and affects people who enter it.