The Hadith of the Ghurabaa (Strangers) reminds Muslims that Islam began as something rare and will return to being rare again, yet those who remain steadfast will receive glad tidings of Paradise. In this article, we will explore the meaning of Ghurabaa in Islam, the context of the Prophet’s words, and the timeless lessons they hold for today’s Muslims striving to stay firm upon the path of truth.
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Islam started as a stranger and it will return as a stranger as it started. So Tooba to (give glad tidings) the Ghurabaa’ (strangers).” [Muslim- the Book of Faith]
In another narration reported by ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr (Radia- Allaahu ’anhuma), the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Tooba (i.e. Paradise, or a tree in Paradise) for the Ghurabaa’ (the strangers).” They asked: “Who are the Ghurabaa’ O Messenger of Allaah?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Righteous people who are few in number among many evil people. Those who disobey them are greater in number than those who obey them.”[Authenticated by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah as-Saheeha, no. 1619 and graded Saheeh]
In Hashiyat ibn Maajah, As-Sindi said: “Stranger” refers to the small number of its adherents. The basic meaning of Ghareeb (a stranger) is being far from one’s homeland. “And will revert to being strange” refers to the small number of those who will adhere to its teachings even though its followers are many. “So give glad tidings to the strangers” means those who follow its commands. “Tooba (glad tidings)” has been interpreted as meaning Paradise or a great tree in Paradise. This shows that supporting Islam and following its commands may require leaving one’s homeland and being patient in bearing difficulties of being a stranger, as was the case in the beginning. [End quote]
Concerning the meaning of this Hadeeth: In Sharh Saheeh Muslim, an-Nawawi quoted al-Qadi ‘Iyad as saying: “Islam began among a few individuals, then it spread and prevailed, then it will reduce in number until there are only a few left, as it was in the beginning.”
Shaikh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullaah) said: “The Ghurabaa’ are those who are following/ adhering to the right path; and Paradise and happiness are for the Ghurabaa’ (the strangers) who reform the matters when people are corrupted. If the state changes and matters become ambiguous (not clear) and good people become less in number; they (the strangers) stay firm on the truth and adhere to the Religion of Allaah. They single Allaah out and sincerely devote themselves to worship Him Alone. They stay steadfast in offering Salaat, giving Zakaat, observing the fast and performing Hajj and the rest of religious matters. These are the Ghurabaa’; they are the ones whom Allaah says about their likeness:
إن الذين قالوا ربنا الله ثم استقاموا تتنزل عليهم الملائكة ألا تخافوا ولا تحزنوا وأبشروا بالجنة التي كنتم توعدون، نحن أولياؤكم في الحياة الدنيا وفي الآخرة ولكم فيها ما تشتهي أنفسكم ولكم فيها ما تدعون نزلا من غفور رحيم.
“Verily, those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allaah (Alone),’ and then they remained on a right course. On them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): ‘Fear you not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!
We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you asked for.
An entertainment from (Allaah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.’” [Surat Fussilat (41:30-32)]
The religion of Islam began as a stranger. When the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) called people to Islam, only a few accepted it; most of the people opposed the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) at that time. The believers were few in number and weak in contrast to the great numbers and strength of their enemies who harmed the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and persecuted his Companions (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum). Then, at Allaah (Ta’ala)’s command, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) migrated to Madinah along with many of his Companions.
He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was a stranger in Madinah and Allaah provided people to support him in his call to support Islam; and his family members became abundant in Madinah and other towns. After Allaah (Ta’ala) made the conquest of Makkah easy for His Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the people entered Islam in multitudes. The Islamic state was established with the help of Allaah, and Islam spread throughout the land.
So in the beginning of Islam, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was a stranger and most of the people were adopting Kufr and Shirk (associating other gods with Allaah). They were worshiping idols, prophets, righteous people, trees and stones, and so forth. Then Allaah (Ta’ala) guided whomever He willed through Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and through his Companions. Many entered Islam and sincerely devoted themselves to worship Allaah. They abandoned the worship of idols, etc. and began worshipping Allaah Alone. They did not pray except to Him, did not prostrate except to Him, did not invoke except to Him, and did not seek help and healing except from Him (Ta’ala). They stopped asking the dead people for help, etc. Those were the Ghurabaa’.
At the end of time, the Ghurabaa’ will be the ones who stay firm on the religion of Allaah. When the people lag behind and do not adhere to their religion, their sins and evil will become greater. Division and dissent will spread among the Muslims and weakness and failure will gradually increase, until Islam once again will become a stranger as it was in the beginning. But this is not because of their small numbers, because at that time they will be many; rather it is because the people will not adhere to their religion or act upon the Book of their Lord and the teachings of the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), apart from those who Allaah wills. Those strangers will stay upright in obedience to Allaah at that time. For them is Paradise and happiness, and for them is the praiseworthy end in this life and Hereafter.” [End quote]
Sources
Binbaz.org.sa
Islamqa
