How can the Hadith: "No time comes but the one after it is worse than it" be reconciled with having a good opinion of Allah and optimism?
Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Malik: "No time comes upon you except that which follows it is worse than it, until you meet your Lord." The indicates an increase in evil over time as a warning and preparation, not to cut off hope, for goodness remains. Scholars have interpreted evil in one of two meanings: The first: the decrease of knowledge and the increase of ignorance. This does not mean a complete cessation of knowledge, but rather the continued presence of its bearers, and that the religion remains upright. The second: the increase of injustice and tyranny in governance. This is the predominant meaning, but people of justice may appear, as happened with 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, and the Mahdi and Jesus, peace be upon them, are awaited. Thus, the hadith is from the specific general category and not to be taken literally in its entirety, so that the believer does not fall into despair.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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