The first is that, in certain places and at certain times, it will again become a stranger among people, then prevail, just as it was a stranger at the outset and then prevailed. This is why he said:

“It will return to being a stranger, just as it began.”

When it began, it was a stranger, unknown; then it prevailed and became known. Likewise, it will again become unknown, then prevail and become known. Thus, during the intervening periods, those who recognize it will be few, just as they were at the beginning.

It may also mean that, toward the end of this world, only a few Muslims will remain. This will happen only after the Dajjāl and Gog and Magog, when the Hour draws near. Allah will then send a wind that takes the soul of every believing man and woman, after which the Resurrection will come. Before that, however, he said, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“A group of my community will continue to prevail, upholding the truth, unharmed by those who oppose them or those who abandon them, until the Hour comes.”

This hadith is in the two Sahīh collections, and similar reports are transmitted through several chains. The truthful and trustworthy one has thus informed us that a group of his community will continue to uphold the truth, unassailable and strong, unharmed by their opponents or by the opposition of those who abandon them. As for Islam remaining a humiliated stranger throughout the entire earth before the Hour, this will not happen.

As for his words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,

“Then it will return to being a stranger, just as it began,”

the greatest