Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim (1).
In another narration by Muslim, he said: “The source of unbelief is here, where Satan’s horn rises”—meaning the East (2).
Ibn Abbās—may Allah be pleased with him and his father—reported that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—supplicated: “O Allah, bless us in our sāʿ and our mudd, and bless us in our Levant and our Yemen.” A man from among the people said, “O Prophet of Allah! And our Iraq?” He replied: “Satan’s horn is there, tribulations rage there, and harshness lies in the East” (3).
Ibn Hajar said: “The first tribulations originated in the East, and this caused division among the Muslims—something Satan loves and delights in. Innovations likewise arose in that region” (4).
Thus, from Iraq emerged the Kharijites, the Shia, the Rāfidah, and the Bātiniyyah,