a basis. Consider how Allah caused the Companions to ask this question, so that the religion might be complete and need no completion. People have now needed this ruling, as in the polar regions, where night lasts six months and day lasts six months. Thus, we need this hadith. Consider, too, how the Messenger ﷺ gave this legal ruling before such a case had occurred, because Allah Most High says in His Book:

“Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you.” [al-Ma'idah 5:3]

By Allah, if we were to reflect upon these words—“I have perfected for you your religion”—we would find that there is nothing whatsoever deficient in the religion. It is complete in every respect. Rather, the deficiency lies within us: either in the limitations of our minds, our understanding, or our knowledge, or in desires that are undisciplined. Some people seek to support their own view and thus become blind to the truth. We ask Allah for well-being.

If we were to examine matters with knowledge, understanding, reason, and sincerity of intention, we would find—praise be to Allah—that the religion needs no one to complete it, and that no matter, great or small, can arise without its solution being found in the Quran and the sunnah. But when caprice became widespread and came to dominate many people, the truth became obscured from some of them and hidden from them. When an incident occurs among them which was not previously known in its specific form—though its general category was known—they differ over it more numerously than one can count on one’s fingers. If it admits of two opinions, you will find ten opinions concerning it. This is because caprice has come to dominate people today. Otherwise, if one’s purpose were sound, one’s understanding clear, one’s knowledge broad, and one’s judgment mature, this would not happen.

Then, after the Dajjal remains for forty days, the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary—whom Allah raised up to Himself—will descend. It has been reported in the hadiths that he