Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Ad-Dajjal will come to Medina and find the angels guarding it. So Allah willing, neither Ad-Dajjal, nor plague will be able to come near it."

Source Reference

Sahih al-Bukhari 7134

Commentary on the Protection of Medina

This noble hadith establishes the divine protection granted to the city of Medina, the city of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). The angels stand as sentinels at its gates, forming an impenetrable barrier against the greatest fitnah, Ad-Dajjal, and against deadly plagues.

This is a specific honor bestowed upon Medina, distinguishing it from all other cities. The condition "Allah willing" (In sha' Allah) teaches us to always couple our certainty in divine texts with complete submission to Allah's will, affirming that all matters are by His decree.

The Nature of Ad-Dajjal's Prevention

Ad-Dajjal, the False Messiah, will possess extraordinary abilities to misguide people, yet he will be utterly powerless before Medina's spiritual fortifications. He will see the angels in a form visible to him, preventing his entry. This demonstrates that true protection comes not from physical barriers but from Allah's divine decree and celestial guardians.

The coupling of Ad-Dajjal and plague in the same prohibition indicates that both are among the greatest calamities from which the people of Medina are specifically shielded due to the sanctity of the Prophet's city and the blessings of his residence there.

Scholarly Insights

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments in Fath al-Bari that this protection is a manifestation of Allah's mercy upon the people of Medina, honoring the city where Islam became established and from which it spread.

Scholars note that this hadith provides immense comfort to believers, knowing that even during the tribulations of the end times, there remains a sanctuary protected by divine decree. It also emphasizes the special status of Medina in Islamic eschatology.