35 — Ishāq ibn Abī Hassān al-Anmātī narrated to us. He said: Hishām ibn Ammār al-Dimashqī narrated to us. He said: Abd al-Hamīd ibn Habīb ibn Abī al-Ishrīn narrated to us. He said: al-Awzāī narrated to us. He said: Yūnus ibn Yazīd narrated to us, from al-Zuhrī, from al-Sunābihī, from Hudhayfa ibn al-Yamān, who said:

“You will surely follow in the footsteps of those before you, matching them as one sandal matches another. You will neither miss their path nor will it miss you. The bonds of Islam will surely be undone, one bond after another. The first of them to be undone will be reverent humility, until no reverently humble person is seen and until some people say, ‘Hypocrisy has vanished from the nation of Muhammad, so what of the five prayers? Those before us certainly went astray until they no longer prayed among themselves.’ ⦗323⦘ Those are the people who deny divine decree, and they pave the way for the Dajjal. Allah has surely taken it upon Himself to join them to the Dajjal.”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn said: Any rational scholar who carefully examines the condition of this nation will know that most of its people—the common people among them—conduct their affairs according to the ways of the followers of the two Scriptures, as the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said; according to the ways of ⦗324⦘ Khosrow and Caesar; and according to the ways of the people of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance. This is seen in matters such as their systems of political rule and law; the judgments of officials, rulers, and others; their customs in times of calamity and celebration; their homes, clothing, adornment, food, drink, banquets, mounts, servants, gatherings, and the company they keep; their buying, selling, and many avenues of earning a livelihood; and other matters resembling those I have mentioned, whose detailed exposition would be lengthy. These practices prevail among them in opposition to the sunnah and the Book. They follow only the ways of those before us, just as the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said. Allah’s aid is sought. How few are those who escape the affliction that has engulfed the people! None will discern this except a rational and learned person whom knowledge has disciplined. Allah alone grants success in every right course and gives aid in following it.