Mālik, from his father. (1)

Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal relates that Sufyān ibn ʿUyaynah was asked about the Prophet’s words, “a covenant and a bond of kinship.” He answered, “Some people say it refers to Ismāʿīl’s mother—Hājar—who was a Copt; others say it is the mother of Ibrāhīm.”

I say: The correct view, about which there is no doubt, is that both women were Coptic, as we have already shown. The phrase “a covenant” alludes to the gift sent to the Prophet by al-Muqawqis and to his acceptance of it; that, in effect, constituted a form of pledge and truce. Allah, Exalted is He, knows best.

We earlier cited the ḥadīth reported by al-Bukhārī—through Muḥill ibn Khalīfah, from ʿAdī ibn Ḥātim—concerning the opening of Kisra’s treasures, the spread of security, and the overflowing of wealth until no one would take it. In that narration ʿAdī witnessed the conquest and saw a lone woman riding from al-Ḥīrah to Mecca, fearing no one but Allah. He said, “If you live long enough, you will surely see what Abū al-Qāsim ﷺ foretold: so much wealth that no one will accept it.”

Al-Bayhaqī comments that this actually occurred during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz. (2)

I say: It is also possible that this will take place later—either in the time of the Mahdī, as his descriptions indicate, or after the descent of Jesus son of Mary ﵇, once he has slain the Dajjāl—for the authentic reports (3) state that he will kill the swine, break the cross, and cause wealth to pour forth until nobody will accept it. Allah knows best.

Muslim records—through Ibn Abī Dhiʾb, from Muhājir ibn Mismār, from ʿĀmir ibn Saʿd, from Jābir ibn Samurah—who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say, “This religion will remain upright so long as there are twelve caliphs, all of them from Quraysh. Then, before the Hour, impostors will appear, and a band of Muslims will most certainly seize the treasure of the White Palace—Kisra’s palace. I will precede you to the Pond.” The report bears this meaning. (4)

We also mentioned the narration transmitted by ʿAbd al-Razzāq—through Maʿmar, from Hammām, from Abū Hurayrah—attributed to the Prophet: “When Caesar perishes, there will be no Caesar…”