The Age of Ignorance

By Akmal Hasan

Narrated: Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman

SAHIH AL-BUKHARI 9.206

The people used to ask Allah’s Messenger (peace_be_upon_him) about the good but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by it.

So I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (peace_be_upon_him)! We were living in ignorance and in a much worse atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e. Islam); will there be any evil after this good?”

He said, “Yes.” I said, “Will there be any good after that evil?” He replied, “Yes, but it will be tainted.”

I asked, “What will be its taint?” He replied, “(There will be) some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of others.”

I asked, “Will there be any evil after that good?” He replied, “Yes, (there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever responds to their call will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire.”

I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (peace_be_upon_him)! Will you describe them to us?” He said, “They will be from our own people and will speak our language.” I said, “What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my lifetime?”

He said, “Stick to the group of Muslims and their Imam (ruler).” I said, “If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam (ruler)?” He said, “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to eat the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.”

 

THE AGE OF IGNORANCE

Some time back when ignorance reigned,
Falsehood was spread and the Truth restrained.
The enemies were disguised as friends,
Slowly introducing new ways and trends.

This new fad was readily hailed,
By the ignorant whose Iman had failed.
Their helper and ally was Iblees,
Who made them believe this is the path of ease.

Graves were erected and saints were their worship,
Bidah was widespread and shirk their fellowship.
Many Anti-Islamic ways prevailed,
The True Islam was cautiously veiled.

The Hadith were fabricated and corrupted,
Truth was avoided and falsehood erupted.
They even misinterpreted the Book!
Swallowed disbelief , sinker, line and hook.

This age of ignorance was actually foretold,
By Rasulullah (SAW) to Hudayfah (RA) the bold.
When Hudayfah (RA) asked about the times that were grey,
And all others used to ask about the good everyday.

Stay away from those sects is what he commanded you and me,
Even if it means eating the roots of a tree.
This is a cycle Allah puts right,
After the darkness comes the light.

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