Islam Began As Something Strange
Darussalam · Volume 5
36. The Chapters On TribulationsSunan Ibn Majah Darussalam English translation
الجزء: 2 ¦ الصفحة: 1320
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3988. It was narrated from 'Abdullāh that the Messenger of Allāh 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."[1](Sahih)
٣٩٨٨ - حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ وَكِيعٍ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ غِيَاثٍ، عَنِ الْأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ بَدَأَ غَرِيبًا، وَسَيَعُودُ غَرِيبًا، فَطُوبَى لِلْغُرَبَاءِ» ، قَالَ: قِيلَ: وَمَنِ الْغُرَبَاءُ؟ قَالَ: «النُّزَّاعُ مِنَ الْقَبَائِلِ»
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The term used in the Hadith is 'Gharib' which means strange, unfamiliar, foreigner, etc. This was the situation of Islam at the beginning, and the human society at that time rejected it totally. Thereafter, people started adopting it gradually until Islam became widespread everywhere, and disbelief and polytheism disappeared. The strangers to whom the congratulations are granted in the Hadith, are those who adhere to the Sunnah strictly when innovations prevail, stay firm on the true beliefs when false beliefs become common, and hold fast to Islamic attributes when immorality is predominant in the society.