How correct is the claim that the Prophetic hadith "إن الإسلام بدأ غريبًا وسيعود غريبًا" shows that Islam will disappear?
The summary of the is that this does not speak about the end of Islam, but rather about the scarcity of those who adhere to it. Scholars have mentioned two possibilities in explaining this:
The first: That the intended "ghurbah" (strangeness/alienation) is the ghurbah of Islam before the descent of Jesus (peace be upon him), during which those who uphold Allah's command will be few. This will then be followed by a complete empowerment of Islam, which is the more likely interpretation because this hadith is glad tidings for Muslims.
The second: That the intended "ghurbah" is that which occurs after the complete empowerment of Islam and the death of Jesus (peace be upon him). In it, people will gradually forget their religion until the souls of the believers are taken by a good wind, and then the Hour will commence. Before that, however, the truth will remain manifest.
The gist of this is that Islam will not vanish from the earth until the Hour is established; rather, it will remain manifest and enduring.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 4484
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy