Do the Hadith indicating that faith will retreat to Medina, and another Hadith stating that the last borders of Muslims will be an area in Khaybar, refer to events that occurred during the British and French colonial period or before the Wars of Apostasy?
The Prophet's saying, "Faith will retreat to Medina as a snake retreats to its hole," is narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Al-Nawawi and others explained this Hadith to mean that, in the early days of Islam, faith attracted everyone whose faith was true, for learning from the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Companions, then from the scholars, and up to our present time, for visiting the Prophet's grave and his relics.
As for the spread of the religion, it will reach as far as night and day reach, and enter every home, as Allah Almighty says: "It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religions," and as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "This matter will surely reach wherever night and day reach."
A Muslim should invite to Allah and clarify the virtues of the religion, but it is not incumbent upon him that people convert to Islam; for Allah holds him accountable for his actions, not for the actions of others, as Allah Almighty says: "Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills." So, a Muslim should exert his utmost in calling to Allah and have a good opinion of Allah, for Allah will make His religion prevail over all other religions.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/169362