Aspiring To Be A Stranger | Journey of The Strangers

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers.” It was said: “Who are the strangers?’ He said: “Strangers who have left their families and tribes.”

Sunan Ibn Majah 3988
Chapter 15: Islam began as something strange, Book 36: Tribulations
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange as it began. So Tuba is for the strangers."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2629
Chapter 13: What Has Been Related About "Islam Began As Something Strange And It Will Return To Being Something Strange", Book 40: The Book on Faith
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers.’”

Sunan Ibn Majah 3986
Chapter 15: Islam began as something strange, Book 36: Tribulations
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange. so good tidings for the stranger.

Sahih Muslim 145
Chapter 65: Clarifying that Islam started as something strange, and will revert to being something strange, and it will retreat between the two Masajid, Book 1: The Book of Faith

The Meaning of Islam began as something strange and shall return to being something strange as it began

Before the advent of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) people would adhere to different religions; you would find the Jew, the Christian, the Magian and the polytheist.

When the prophet (peace be upon him was sent, those who accepted Islam from each of these groups would be looked at askance (with an attitude, suspicion, or disapproval). They were viewed as strangers in their individual localities and strangers amongst their tribe members.

They would be forced to conceal their Islam and would be ostracised by their own families, they would be humuliated and belittled but would bear all they met with patience and constancy.

This continued until Allah, Mighty and Magnificent, ennobled Islam; its followers and helpers multiplied, the adherents to falsehood were humiliated and subjugated. Therefore, in the beginning, Islam was something strange.

The meaning of "...and it shall return to being something strange"

is - and Allah knows best - that misguided innovations shall increase and many people will succumb to them; as such those who follow the truth, those who adhere to the legal law of Islam, shall seem like strangers amongst the masses. have you not heard the saying of the Messenger (peace be upon him),

"My nation shall divide into seventy-three sects, all of them will be in the fire save one." When asked who the saved sect was, he replied, "That which is upon what I and my Companions are upon." 

Or have you not heard his (peace beupon him) saying,

"Command the good and prohibit the evil until you see parsimony being obeyed, desires being followed, the world being preferred, and every person being amazed at his own opinion; at the time when you see affairs that you cannot change, concern yourself with yourself and avoid the masses. Those will be the days of patience and to be patient amonst them will be like holding on to red hot coals."

This then is one of the characteristics of the stranger: one who remains steadfast and patient upon his religion so that he can safeguard himself against misguided innovation.

This is an excerpt from: The Journey of The Strangers pgs 34,35
Written by:  Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali & Imam Al-Ajurri
Published by: Dar As-Sunnah
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