standing in the marketplace during the governorship of Ziyād when I struck one hand against the other in astonishment. A man of the Ansar whose father had been a Companion of the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—asked, ‘What astonishes you, Abū Burda?’ I replied, ‘I am astonished at people who share the same religion and Prophet, proclaim the same call, perform the same pilgrimage, and fight in the same campaigns—yet some of them deem it lawful to kill others.’ He said, ‘Do not be astonished! I heard my father tell me that he had heard the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—say: “My nation is a nation that has been shown mercy. It will face neither reckoning nor punishment in the Hereafter; its punishment comes only through killing, earthquakes, and tribulations.”’” (1).
Another narration from Abū Mūsā states: “My nation is a nation that has been shown mercy. It will face no punishment in the Hereafter; its punishment in this world consists only of killing, turmoil, and earthquakes.” (2).
23 – The Contraction of Time:
Abū Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—reported that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “The Hour will not come until … time contracts.” (3).
He—may Allah be pleased with him—also reported that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “The Hour will not come until time contracts, so that a year will be like a month, a month like a week, and a week will be