among mankind are even less likely to uphold it (1).
H – Following the Ways of Earlier Nations:
One of the great tribulations is following the ways of the Jews and Christians and imitating them. Some Muslims have imitated the disbelievers, sought to resemble them, adopted their manners, and come to admire them. This bears out what the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) foretold. Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The Hour will not come until my nation follows the course of the generations before it, span by span and cubit by cubit.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, like the Persians and the Byzantines?” He replied, “Who else could it be?”
It was narrated by al-Bukhārī (2).
In another narration from Abū Saīd, we asked, “O Messenger of Allah, the Jews and the Christians?” He replied, “Who else?!”
It was narrated by al-Bukhārī and Muslim (3).
(1) *Musnad Ahmad*, vol. 4, p. 102, with *Muntakhab Kanz al-Ummāl* in the margin; *Sunan Abī Dāwūd*, vol. 12, pp. 341–342, with *Awn al-Mabūd*; and *al-Mustadrak* by al-Hākim, vol. 4, p. 102. After citing this hadith and the hadith of Abū Hurayra, al-Hākim said, “These chains of transmission constitute sufficient proof for declaring this hadith authentic.”
Al-Albānī also authenticated the hadith, presented its various chains in *Silsilat al-Ahādīth al-Sahīha*, and refuted those who challenged its authenticity. See *al-Silsila*, vol. 2, part 3, pp. 14–23, hadith no. 204.
(2) *Sahīh al-Bukhārī*, Book of Holding Fast to the Quran and Sunnah, chapter “The Prophet’s Statement: ‘You will surely follow the ways of those who came before you,’” vol. 13, p. 300, with *Fath al-Bārī*.
(3) *Sahīh al-Bukhārī*, vol. 13, p. 300, with *Fath al-Bārī*; and *Sahīh Muslim*, Book of Knowledge, chapter “The Most Contentious Opponent,” vol. 16, pp. 219–220, with *Sharh al-Nawawī*.