📖Sahih Muslim 145
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange. so good tidings for the stranger.
Here are two interpretations of this hadith:
- The hadith highlights the cyclical nature of the acceptance of Islam throughout history. When Islam was first introduced, it was viewed as strange and unfamiliar, but over time it became widely accepted and practiced. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is predicting that in the future, Islam will again be viewed as something strange and unfamiliar by society. This could be due to various reasons such as cultural shifts or societal changes. However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is giving good tidings to those who continue to follow Islam despite its strangeness, telling them that their perseverance will ultimately be rewarded.
- Some scholars interpret the hadith as a reference to the signs of the approaching end times. They believe that the statement “Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange” indicates that Islam will become a minority religion once again before the Day of Judgment. This interpretation is supported by other hadiths that also mention the reemergence of Islam as something strange before the end of times. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is telling the believers that despite the difficulties they may face in following Islam in such times, they will be rewarded for their steadfastness and faith.
