In another narration: “If, on that day, you see a caliph appointed by Allah on earth, then adhere to him, even if he strikes your back and takes your wealth. If you see no caliph, then flee [through the land] until death overtakes you while you are biting upon the root of a tree.” [He said: I said, “Then what?” He said: “Then the Dajjal will emerge.” I said: “What will he bring?” He said: “A river—or, he said, water—and fire. Whoever enters his river will forfeit his reward and incur his sin, while whoever enters his fire will have his reward assured and his sin removed.” [I said: “Messenger of Allah, what will come after the Dajjal?” He said: “Jesus son of Mary.”] I said: “Then what?” He said: “Even if a mare were to give birth, you would not ride her foal before the Hour comes.”]

I say: This is a hadith of immense significance, among the signs of his prophethood—peace and blessings be upon him—and of his sincere counsel to his Ummah. How greatly the Muslims need it in order to escape the division and factionalism that have split their ranks, scattered their unity, and stripped them of their strength. This has been among the causes that enabled the enemy to gain mastery over them, confirming the saying of Allah, Exalted is He: “Do not dispute, lest you lose heart and your strength depart.”

It has been narrated, both at length and in abbreviated form, through various routes. I have gathered here the benefits contained in them and incorporated their additional material in places appropriate to the context. It is recorded by Imam al-Bukhari in the “Book of Tribulations.”