The Clouds of Fitna are Closing In Upon Us

The teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) were comprehensive in every respect. Not only did he teach about the past and present, but also about the future. So accurate and precise were his sayings regarding the future, that year after year and day after day, we see so many of his words coming true right before our very eyes. Many predictions have already occurred, and many are still to come. But just as we expect the sun to rise tomorrow morning, nay, even more, should be our conviction regarding the rest of his future predictions.

Among the major predictions of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was the appearance and prevalence of fitan (plural of fitnah) that will afflict mankind. Certain Sahabah, such as Hudhaifah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) specialised in this subject, and had such vast knowledge of this subject, that at times he would say, if I had to mention certain things, this throat (pointing to his throat) would be slit.

Fitnahs have been explained by way of two examples in the ahadith. One example is like that of rain, “Fitan shall fall upon your homes like the falling of rain.” (Al-Bukhārī, Muslim) Another example given is like that of a black night, “There shall be fitan like a part of a black night…” (Muslim) In these examples, the salient aspect of fitnah mentioned is the all-pervasiveness of its nature, that none shall escape it but a few, just as it is difficult to escape the rain.

Furthermore, it will be dark and black in colour, indicating to its ominous nature and the inability to see one’s way through it like a person groping in the dark, which is what happens to most people during the era of fitnah.

Fitnah is an Arabic word, which literally refers to the smelting of gold ingots and removing the impurities from it, i.e. separating the good from the bad. This is what happens during a fitnah, the good is separated from the bad. So, in this sense, it refers to a test, or event, or a crisis or calamity, that shows the result openly as to who is good and who is not, who succeeds and who shall fail.

There are a variety of fitan facing the Ummah. Among the greatest of fitan is that of irtidaad (apostasy), where many who were born Muslim are turning away from Imaan, knowingly or unknowingly. This is predicted as a great fitnah in the very hadith that likens fitnah to a black night, “…. a man will be a mu’min (believer) in the morning and a kaafir (disbeliever) by the evening; and a mu’min in the evening and a kaafir in the morning.” (Muslim) These days, the instance of people uttering outright statements of kufr is increasing alarmingly, and many do not even realise the grave implications of this. May Allah protect our Iman and that of our generations to come.

Another fitnah is that of liberalism and hedonism, where material wealth and objects and the gratification of desires and self-aggrandisement becomes the very goal and purpose of a human being’s existence. Regarding this fitnah, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) warned, “When you see greed being pursued, and desires being obeyed, and the world being preferred (over the Hereafter), and every person proud of his own opinion, then worry about yourself (personal salvation) and do not worry about others.” (At-Tirmidhi, Abū Dawûd, Ibn Majah) More and more, the prevalence of this fitnah is manifesting in the world. Today, it is all about what car you drive, where you go for vacation, how much of wealth you own, etc.

The disunity and division of the Ummah and the resultant strife, bloodshed and oppression is another example of fitnah. The lesser that is said about this the better, for never has this Ummah, which was supposed to be like a single human body, been as divided and fragmented as it is these days. Whether on an international scale, between Muslim countries and their leaders, or on a national, regional, local level, right down to organisations, families and even homes, there is division and disunity all round. May Allah Ta’alah unite the hearts.

Technology has brought about many fitan, such as the fitnah of the internet, social networking, mobile phones, computer games, movies, etc. Then there are the fitan of drug and substance addiction, illicit sexual relations, divorces, music, Satanism, social upheaval, crime, etc.

These are some examples of the fitnahs mentioned. There are in fact hundreds of fitnahs that have been mentioned, and whole books have been written on the subject of fitnah titled “Kitab-al-Fitan”, for example the “Al-Fitan” of ‘Allamah Al-Mirwaazī and others.

What to do at the Time of Fitnah

This is the most important issue. Knowing all about the fitan is not sufficient. One needs to know how to survive and combat the fitan. This has also been mentioned in the ahadith. Some of the solutions or remedies proposed are as follows:

Stick to the Ulama of Haq who strictly follow the Qur’an, Sunnah and the way of the Sahaabah, the Madhabs, and the Akaabireen (elders/pious predecessors) even if they are few. Do not run after the “majority” or the popular Ulama of today, for most have compromised the Deen. In times of fitnah, safety lies with those few Ulama who oppose modernism, bid‘ah, riba, photography, interfaith, and all forms of compromise. Attach yourself to them, and keep away from the crowd.

Remain low profile. A hadith states, “like the mat on the floor.” (Abu Dawūd) A time will come, when the one who is standing will be better off than the one who is walking and the one who is sitting will be better off than the one who is standing and so on. (Al-Bukhārī, Muslim)

Every head of every home must work with dedication and devotion for the reformation and salvation of his family. The Qur’an states, “O Believers! Save yourselves and your families from the fire of Hell.” (66:6) And everyone is a shepherd, responsible for his own flock is mentioned in a famous hadith. (Al-Bukhārī)

Every individual should strive for a strong spiritual condition, which is the only protector against all fitan. This will entail, acquiring correct and sufficient basic knowledge, keeping constant company with the pious, reciting the Qur’an and engaging in the Dhikr of Allah regularly and making lots of du’a, along with other good deeds. Undertake to do mashwarah and istikharah before undertaking any decision, for in this is great safety and protection, and guidance towards the right path.

May Almighty Allah protect the whole Ummah from every fitnah. We have been taught the following du’a in the aḥādīth. This is a vital du’a to recite regularly in the dangerous times of fitnah we live in:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ

Allahuma inni a’üdhu bika minal fitan, ma zahara minha wa ma bațan.

O Allah! I seek Your protection from all fitnahs. open and subtle. (Ahmad)