36/10. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3961 — Standing Firm During Fitnah
Standing firm during times of tribulation
Hadith About Fitnah: Standing Firm During Dark Trials
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3961
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3961
حَدَّثَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ مُوسَى اللَّيْثِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جُحَادَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ ثَرْوَانَ، عَنْ هُزَيْلِ بْنِ شُرَحْبِيلَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ السَّاعَةِ فِتَنًا كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ فِيهَا مُؤْمِنًا وَيُمْسِي كَافِرًا وَيُمْسِي مُؤْمِنًا وَيُصْبِحُ كَافِرًا الْقَاعِدُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْقَائِمِ وَالْقَائِمُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَاشِي وَالْمَاشِي فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّاعِي فَكَسِّرُوا قِسِيَّكُمْ وَقَطِّعُوا أَوْتَارَكُمْ وَاضْرِبُوا بِسُيُوفِكُمُ الْحِجَارَةَ فَإِنْ دُخِلَ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيَكُنْ كَخَيْرِ ابْنَىْ آدَمَ " .
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Before the Hour comes, there will be tribulation like pieces of black night, when a man will wake up as a believer but be a disbeliever by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening but will be a disbeliever by morning. And the one who is sitting will be better than the one who is standing, and the one who is standing will be better than the one who is walking, and the one who is walking will be better than the one who is running. So break your bows, cut their strings and strike your swords against rocks, and if anyone enters upon anyone of you, let him be like the better of the two sons of Adam. (i.e. the one killed, not the killer).”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3961In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 36English translation : Vol. 5, Book 36, Hadith 3961
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3961
This hadith about fitnah gives a clear warning about severe tribulations before the Hour. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم describes them as pieces of black night, showing how confusing and dangerous they can be for faith. A person may start the day as a believer and end it in disbelief, or the opposite may happen by morning. The main lesson is restraint. The hadith praises the one who sits over the one who stands, the one who stands over the one who walks, and the one who walks over the one who runs. In simple words, rushing into violent conflict during tribulation is not praised here. The instruction to break weapons and be like the better son of Adam points to avoiding unjust killing.
What we learn from this hadith
- During confusing trials, a Muslim should slow down and avoid rushing into conflict.
- Faith can be tested heavily during fitnah, so caution is needed.
- The hadith teaches restraint from bloodshed when tribulation spreads.
- Being wrongfully killed is presented here as better than becoming a killer.
