Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Last Hour will not be established until the Muslims fight against the Jews, until a Jew will hide himself behind a stone or a tree, and the stone or the tree will say, ‘O Muslim, there is a Jew behind me. Come and kill him,’ except Al- Gharqad tree; it will not say so, for, it is the tree of the Jews.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 2926 and Muslim no. 2922]
Commentaries and Lessons:
1. Imaam An-Nawawi (Rahimahullaah) mentioned amongst the Signs of the Hour is this narration of Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Last Hour will not be established until the Muslims fight against the Jews.”
After the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Muslims are those who follow Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). As for before the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), a Muslim is anyone who followed the established Shari’ah at that time; for example, the people of Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) were Muslims during Prophet Musa’s era, the Christians were Muslims in the time of Iesa (‘Alayhis-salaam), and similarly those who believed in Prophet Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) during his era were Muslims too. In this way, anyone who believed in the Messenger whose message was established, was a Muslim. However, after the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), no one is considered a Muslim unless he believes in Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
‘Yahood (Jews)’ are those who followed Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam). They were named as such in reference to their ancestor ‘Yahoodha (Judah)’, whom they have descended from. However, with Arabization, the name became ‘Yahood’ with a ‘dal’.
Jews are a cursed nation; they are treacherous and deceitful. They accuse their Lord of flaws and shortcomings.
The Jews said, “Allaah is tight-fisted.“ [Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:64)], and they said, “Allaah is poor.” [Surat Aal-‘Imran (3:181)], and they said, “Allaah became tired after creating the heavens and the earth and rested on Saturday”, and other things they attributed to Allaah in terms of flaws and shortcomings.
As for the Prophets, the Jews disbelieved in the Prophets and killed them without any right to do so. They claimed to kill Iesa Ibn Maryam (son of Mary) (‘Alayhis-salaam), “But they neither killed nor crucified him.” [Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:157)].
They are the vilest nation among all nations; they are treacherous deceitful people who do not keep their promises or covenants, and they cannot be trusted with anything.
Before the Day of Judgment, the Jews will fight the Muslims – reflect on the word ‘Muslims’ – Muslims and Jews will fight, and the Muslims will be victoriously triumphant over them so much so that when a Jew hides behind any stone or tree, the tree and the stone will speak up — by Allaah’s Command, Who gives everything the ability to speak — it will say, ‘O Muslim, there is a Jew behind me, so kill him.’
2. Stones and trees will speak? Why? Because the fight is between Muslims and Jews. However, if it were between Arabs and Jews, then Allaah Alone Knows who would win, because if one fights the Jews for the sake of Arab nationalism, then he has fought out of fervor and tribalism, not for Allaah Almighty, and he cannot be victorious if his fight is for Arab nationalism and not for the sake of religion and Islam – unless Allaah wills so. But if we fight the Jews for the sake of Islam, and we are truly on Islam, then we will be victorious, In shaa Allaah.
So, if the issue is one of tribalism and Arab nationalism and the like, there is no guarantee of victory at all. Therefore, the Arabs cannot rise based on this foundation – namely, the foundation of Arab nationalism.
The proof of this is the current reality. They have struggled for it, but they have gained nothing. On the contrary, the Jews have inflicted great calamities upon the Arabs. They have occupied their lands, besieged them and harmed them. But if the fighting were for the sake of Islam and in the name of Muslims, the Jews would not have been able to stand against them. However, out of ignorance, the Arabs fought the Jews for the sake of Arab nationalism. That is why they have not been victorious over them to this day. True victory over the Jews lies in Islam – this is not a hidden matter. – The Hour will not be established until what the truthful, trustworthy Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) foretold us comes to happen; i.e., the Muslims will fight the Jews, the Muslims will kill them and be triumphant over them, and the stones and trees – which do not usually speak – will call out, ‘O Muslim, there is a Jew behind me, so kill him.’
[End of excerpt from Sharh Riyadus-Saliheen by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah)]
3. The enmity and hostility of the Jews towards Islam and its followers has existed since the emergence of Islam and will continue until the Hour is established. Allaah Almighty has decreed that the ultimate victory will belong to the people of truth, even if the aggression and dominance of Jews persist for a long time.
In this Hadeeth, As-Saadiq Al-Masdooq (the truthful and trustworthy) Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) informs us of one of the signs of the coming and establishment of the Hour: a war between the Muslims and the Jews. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said addressing those present among his Companions, but meaning others who will be alive in the end times: “The Hour will not be established until you fight the Jews.” This will happen when Iesa Ibn Maryam (son of Mary) (‘Alayhis-salaam) descends, and the Muslims will be with him, while the Jews will be with the Dajjal. In this war, everything will cooperate with the Muslim fighters, even inanimate objects like stones and the like. Whenever a Jew hides behind something, it will speak and call out to the Muslim, saying, “O Muslim, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.” The speech of inanimate objects in this way will be real.
4. In a narration of Muslim, “Except al-Gharqad, because it is a tree of the Jews.” Al-Gharqad is a type of thorny tree known in the land of Jerusalem, and it is there where the Dajjal and the Jews will be killed. This means that everything, including plants and inanimate objects, will cooperate with the Muslims in the killing of the Jews, except this type of tree, which is why it is attributed to them.
5. This Hadeeth is also evidence that the religion of Islam will remain until the Day of Resurrection and that it will prevail over all its enemies.
6. It is also a sign of the Prophethood of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). [End quote from: dorar.net/hadith/sharh/15009]
Sources:
Sharh Riyadus-Saliheen by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah)
net/hadith/sharh/15009
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