The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Allah, the Exalted, folded for me the earth, or he said (the narrator is doubtful): My Lord folded for me the earth, so much so that I saw its easts and wests (i.e. the extremities). The kingdom of my community will reach as far as the earth was floded for me. The two treasures, the red and the white, were bestowed on me. I prayed to my Lord that He may not destroy my community by prevailing famine, and not give their control to an enemy who annihilates then en masse except from among themselves. My Lord said to me: Muhammad, If I make a decision, it is not withdrawn ; and I shall not destroy them by prevailing famine, and I shall not give their control to an enemy, except from among themselves, who exterminates them en masse, even if they are stormed from all sides of the earth ; only a section of them will destroy another section, and a section will captive another section. I am afraid about my community of those leaders who will lead astray. When the sword is used among my people, it will not be withdrawn from them till the Day of Resurrection, and the Last Hour will not come before the tribes of my people attach themselves to the polytheists and tribes of my people worship idols. There will be among my people thirty great liars each of them asserting that he is (Allah's) prophet, where as I am the seal of the Prophet s after whom (me) there will be no prophet ; and a section of my people will continue to hold to the truth - (according to the Ibn Isa's version: (will continue to dominate) - the agreed version goes: "and will not be injured by those who oppose them, till Allah's command comes."
Hadith Commentary: The Vision of Earth's Dominion
The Prophet's vision of the folded earth symbolizes the vast geographical expanse the Muslim Ummah would eventually govern. This divine preview encompasses both eastern and western extremities, indicating the comprehensive nature of Islamic civilization's reach. The "two treasures" refer to the Byzantine (white) and Persian (red) empires whose wealth and territories would come under Muslim authority, representing material and political success.
Divine Protection and Internal Trials
Allah's promise to protect the Ummah from universal famine and external annihilation contains profound wisdom. The preservation is conditional upon internal purification - the community will face trials primarily from within through civil strife, oppression, and mutual conflict. This internal testing serves as divine pedagogy to purify believers and distinguish truth from falsehood.
The continuous presence of the "sword" signifies perpetual internal conflict until Judgment Day, indicating that political turmoil and civil discord will be enduring features of the Ummah's earthly existence.
Spiritual Deviations and False Claims
The warning against misguiding leaders addresses the danger of corrupt religious and political authority. The prediction of thirty false prophets emphasizes the preservation of Muhammad's final prophethood while acknowledging future claimants to this station. The mention of tribes reverting to polytheism and idol worship indicates severe religious decline where outward Islamic identity remains but essential beliefs are compromised.
The Victorious Group (Al-Tā'ifah al-Mansūrah)
The final promise concerning the "section that will continue to hold to the truth" refers to the victorious group (al-tā'ifah al-mansūrah) that will remain steadfast upon authentic Islam until the Hour is established. This group, though potentially small and opposed, will be divinely protected in their religious integrity and will never be overcome by their opponents, serving as religious authorities and preservers of authentic tradition.