I have a sick feeling in my stomach that I feel like a good cry would relieve, but I can’t make myself cry. I won’t be sleeping tonight. I’ll be praying for those suffering and those who will predictably and invariably suffer as a result of it.

When the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) predicted the different phases of tribulations that would afflict the world in the end times, he referred to one of those tribulations as the “tribulation of the saddle blankets” (فتنة الأحلاس). Why was this period of tribulation called this? Because in those times the blanket upon which the saddle rested was always on the steed. Even when the saddle was removed, the blanket remained. After such constant use, exposure to the elements, sweat of both rider and steed, and dirt and smoke, it would become ashen and dark. The saddle blanket is a thing that remains at all times, it persists upon the back of the steed, and it is dark. Such will be that time. It will persist to where it seems that it will never be shaken from our backs and it will be a period of a darkness that was acquired over time.

When the Prophet’s Companions asked him to describe that period. He replied:

(هِيَ هَرَبٌ وَحَرْبٌ)

This literally translates to “It is flight and violence.” But what it means hermeneutically is “It is a period of fleeing to the loss of everything, and persistent violence and war.”

Knowing that these times were foretold by the Prophet (ﷺ) —even to the very mention of both Iraq and Syria in some narrations— brings me no comfort. I pray as the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed, even though he was the Messenger of God:

”O God! Do not send the Antichrist in my lifetime.”

Amen.

Brother Shibli Zaman

Categories: Hadith, Terrorism