Fitnah The Concept of Discord Conflict among Muslims By Muhammad Ismail al-Muqaddim

Fitnah — trial, discord, turmoil among Muslims — is not a modern phenomenon. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned about it extensively, described its characteristics in detail, and commanded his Companions to recognise it and protect themselves from it.

About This Book

Fitnah: The Concept of Discord and Conflict Among Muslims by Shaykh Muhammad Ismail al-Muqaddim examines this concept from the primary sources — what fitnah is, how to recognise it when it appears, and what the authentic guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commands a Muslim to do when fitnah comes.

What This Book Covers

The Definition and Types of Fitnah

Not every trial is called fitnah in the technical sense the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used. The book distinguishes between the fitnah of desire and doubt that corrupts the individual, and the fitnah of conflict and discord that divides the community — examining the hadith corpus on both.

The Signs of Fitnah and How to Recognise It

The Prophet described the characteristics of fitnah in detail — including that during it the one sitting is better than the one standing, and the one standing better than the one walking toward it. The book examines these descriptions and helps the reader apply them to the reality around them.

The Prophetic Guidance on Protecting Oneself

What does Islam command when fitnah erupts? The book covers the hadith on withdrawing from discord, the obligation to avoid participating in fighting between Muslims, and the specific guidance on what a Muslim should do to protect their deen when fitnah is widespread.

About the Author

Dr. Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ismail al-Muqaddim (b. 1952) is a contemporary Egyptian scholar and teacher from Alexandria who first trained in medicine before devoting himself to the Islamic sciences, studying Shari'ah at al-Azhar and taking knowledge from Shaykh Ibn Baz, Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin, Shaykh al-Albani and Shaykh Muqbil ibn Hadi al-Wadi'i. He founded the Salafi Dawah of Alexandria in 1977. Published by International Islamic Publishing House (IIPH).

Who This Book Is For

Muslims navigating a world of online and offline discord who want to understand what the Sunnah actually says about fitnah and how to apply it. Valuable for those who find themselves pulled into conflicts between Muslim groups and want to know what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded in such situations.

Continue Reading

The same author's Fiqh al-Haya treats the inward quality that restrains a believer when discord is everywhere. Browse both in the Muhammad Ismail al-Muqaddim collection, explore our aqeedah and manhaj collection, or see our guide to the best books on tazkiyah.