Hadith of Najd

The Hadith of Najd is a famous hadith with several chains of narration about three geographical locations. While all Sunni Muslims accept the group of hadith as authentic, the exact location of the area referred to as "Najd" is disputed.

Text of the hadith

According to two narrations in Sahih Bukhari, Muhammad asks Allah to bless the areas of Bilad al-Sham (Syria) and Yemen. When his companions said "Our Najd as well," he replied: "There will appear earthquakes and afflictions, and from there will come out the side of the head (e.g. horns) of Satan."[1][2] In a similar narration, Muhammad again asked Allah to bless the areas Medina, Mecca, Sham, and Yemen and, when asked specifically to bless Najd, repeated similar comments about there being earthquakes, trials, tribulations, and the horns of Satan.[3][4]

"O Allaah bestow your blessings on our Shaam. O Allaah bestow your blessings on our Yemen." The people said, "O Messenger of Allaah, and our Najd." I think the third time the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "There (in Najd) will occur earthquakes, trials and tribulations, and from there appears the Horn of Satan."

It has been asserted that this hadith is relating the coming events that shook the Muslim nation, these known as fitnah or 'trials'. Amongst the trials that arose in Iraq and the east was the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, as well as the first battle between the Muslims that also occurred in Iraq. This as well as the tribulations that came along with the multitude of sects that formed in the east, specifically Iraq and Baghdad, being the Qadariyyah, the Jahmiyyah (from Jahm bin Safwan), the spread of the Mu'tazila, and the advent of the emergence of the Shia in opposition to the Sunni Muslims.[5] It has also been identified as where the Dajjal or Antichrist is said to emerge from (according to a narration through Imam Nawawi). There have also been various theories instigated against the people of the modern day region of Saudi Arabia known as 'Najd',[6] however, historically and geographically this argument is disputed.[7][8]

Location of Najd

The apparent meaning of 'najd' indicates a raised area, it is regarded that there are up to 13 various locations in the region regarded as 'najd'.[9] Historically the location has been accounted as being between the borders of Iraq and modern day Saudi Arabia. This is in accordance to "Najd Qarnu ash-Shaytaan" the definition of Najd depends on one's own location, and from Madina, Najd would be Iraq. The area is indicated by various scholars of hadith as to be in accordance with this.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani said after quoting the words of al-Khattaabee explaining the meaning of Qarn (horn) ;

Ibn Hajr quoted al-Khattabi as saying:

The celebrated 12th century historian Ali ibn al-Athir, who had frequently traveled to Iraq during the era of Saladin and had written his monumental work al-Kamil fi at-Tarikh (The Complete History), writes in his work 'al-Nihâyah' ;

It is also related that Imam Nawawi in his Sharh Saheeh Muslim 2/29 stated that this hadith had to with the Dajjal or Antichrist coming from the East.[13]

The Different regions of Najd

Scholars have elucidated that there are perhaps up to thirteen various regions known as najd. The geographer and Islamic scholar, of Greek origin, Imam Yaqut al-Hamawi in his encyclopaedic work Mu'jam al-Buldan explained the various regions of najd as;[14] 1. Najd Yemen. 2. Najd Iraq. 3. Najd Hejaz. 4. Najd Khal. 5. Najd Al-Shari. 6. Najd Azaar. 7. Najd Al-Aqaab. 8. Najd Kabkab. 9. Najd Mari. 10. Najd Alwaz. 11. Najd-e-Aja. 12. Najd Barqq.

Contemporary theories

A number of authors have claimed that the hadith refers to Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the patronym of the Wahhabi movement. It is accounted that the origin of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab is from the modern day Najd region of Saudi Arabia,[15] which happens to be the only surviving region that carried on the title of 'Najd' after the geographical codification regardless that there were several distinct locations known previously as 'Najd'. This theory is generally supported by adherents to Sunni Islam [16] as well as Twelver Shi'ism[17] that have disdain for Wahhabism. This is often speculated to be due to the revival of prophetic traditions, strictly clinging to hadith and negating what was seen at the time to be bid‘ah or 'heretical innovations', instigated by Ibn Abd al-Wahhab and later carried on by his followers.[18] Contrary to the accusations there are numerical hadith that discredit this argument due to praise of the ethnic tribe of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, being the Banu Tamim tribe, and praise for the region of what is now known as Najd and its peoples. Through anthropological records it is accounted that the Banu Tamim are the majority of people inhabiting the land of modern day 'Najd' in present day Saudi Arabia.

Also related in hadith #2543 and #4366 of Ibn Hajar's Fath:

Also from the Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal:

The assertion of the Hadith of Najd as referring to Iraq is further clarified through other hadith which indicate that many trials and tribulations (fitan) will arise from this region. Scholars indicate this includes the rise of the Khawarij and other deviant sects.

Narrated by Yusair bin 'Amr:I asked Sahl bin Hunaif, "Did you hear the Prophet saying anything about Al-Khawarij?" He said, "I heard him saying while pointing his hand towards Iraq. "There will appear in it (i.e, Iraq) some people who will recite the Quran but it will not go beyond their throats,and they will go out from (leave) Islam as an arrow darts through the game's body.' "[21]

Imam Ibn 'Abd al-Barr (368h-463h) said:

"Allah knows best that the reason behind pointing of Prophet peace be upon him towards east regarding fitna is that the biggest fitna which was the key of troubles was the martyrdom of Uthman ibn Affan may Allah be pleased with him, and that was the reason behind the war of Jamal and Siffeen, these troubles started from the east. Then Khawarij emerged from the land of najd, Iraq and it's regions."[22]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 17, Number 147
  2. ↑ Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 88, Number 214
  3. ↑ "O Allah bestow your blessings on our Medina, and bestow your blessings on our Mecca, and bestow your blessings on our Sham, and bestow your blessings on our Yemen, and bestow your blessings in our measuring (fee saa`inaa wa muddinaa)." A person said, "O Messenger of Allah and in our Najd" and so he turned away from him and said, "there will occur earthquakes, trials and tribulations and there will appear the horn of Satan." From Shu'ayb al-Arna'ut: Sharh as-Sunnah’ (14/206-207 fn. 2)
  4. ↑ O Allah bestow your blessings on our Medina, O Allah bestow your blessings in our measuring, O Allah bestow your blessings in our Sham and our Yemen." A person said, "And Najd O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "from there arises the horn of Satan and the trials and tribulations would come like mounting waves." From al-Awsat by at-Tabaraanee from Hadith of Ibn Umar and authenticated by Ali ibn Abu Bakr al-Haythami in Mujma az-Zawaa`id (3/305)
  5. ↑ "The Hadith of Najd by Abû Rumaysah". ahya.org. Archived July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "The Saga of "Hempher," Purported British Spy an extract from "The Hidden Hand: Middle East Fears of Conspiracy," pp. 211–12.". danielpipes.org.
  7. ↑ "The Historical Meaning of 'Najd'". en.islamtoday.net.
  8. ↑ "Reply to Najd Hadith: East refers to Iraq and Not Saudi Arabia - proofs from a plethora of hadith". systemoflife.com.
  9. ↑ "Refuting the Hadith of Najd Argument Against Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab". ahlalhdeeth.com.
  10. ↑ Asqalani, Ibn Hajar. Fath al-Bari 13/58 in commentary to the hadith of Najd.
  11. ↑ Ibn Hajar. Fath al-Baaree 13/58-59.
  12. ↑ Ali ibn al-Athir. al-Nihâyah (5/18).
  13. ↑ Nawawi. Sharh Saheeh Muslim 2/29.
  14. ↑ Imam Yaqut al-Hamawi. Mu'jam al-Buldan. p. Vol.19 Pg.265.
  15. ↑ "Imaam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab - His Life and Mission by Shaikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Baz". ahya.org.
  16. ↑ "The Bareilawis and Ahmad Ridha a-Bareilawi". ahya.org.
  17. ↑ Subhani, Ayatullah Ja'far (1996). Wahhabism. Naba' Organization.
  18. ↑ "Detailed Discussion of Bid’ah and Shirk by Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid". islamhouse.com.
  19. ↑ al-Fath hadith 2543 and 4366.
  20. ↑ Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
  21. ↑ Imam Bukhari. Sahih Bukhari Volume 9 Book 84. p. Hadith 68.
  22. ↑ Imam Ibn 'Abd al-Barr. Al Istadhkaar. p. 8/519.

Further reading

The Hadith of Najd and Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah

The Location of Najd, according to the Scholars of Hadeeth

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