is a manifestation of jāhiliyyah because the light of prophethood is obscured from them. As Mālik ibn Anas said:

“When knowledge diminishes, harshness appears; and when transmitted reports diminish, whims prevail.”

This is why tribulations have been likened to stretches of a dark night, and why Ahmad said in his address:

“Praise be to Allah, who has preserved remnants of the people of knowledge in every interval between prophetic missions.”

Whatever guidance the people of the earth possess comes only from the light of prophethood. As Allah Most High says:

“If guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor suffer.”

Those who attain guidance and success are the followers of the prophets: the Muslims and believers in every time and place. Those who suffer punishment and go astray are those who reject the prophets.

There remain those living in jāhiliyyah whom the teachings brought by the prophets have not reached. They are in a state of misguidance, ignorance, polytheism, and evil. Yet Allah says:

“We would never punish until We had sent a messenger.”

And He says:

“Messengers bearing good news and warnings, so that people would have no argument against Allah after the messengers.”

And He says:

“Your Lord would never destroy the towns until He had sent to their principal town a messenger reciting Our verses to them. Nor would We destroy the towns unless their people were wrongdoers.”

Thus, Allah does not destroy or punish these people until He sends a messenger to them. Numerous reports have been transmitted stating that those whom the message did not reach in this world will have a messenger sent to them on the Day of Resurrection, on the plains of the Resurrection.