What is the meaning of this hadith and its authenticity: (Islam began as something strange and will return as something strange just as it began, so blessed are the strangers)?
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The questioner : What is the meaning of this hadith and its authenticity: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2629Sahih (Darussalam)?
The Shaykh : Its meaning is that when Islam first appeared, it was strange, and only one or two or three people or the like would embrace it. It was like a stranger in a land other than his own. Then Islam developed and spread across the regions of the world, and the Muslims became dominant when they held fast to it in a manner that Allah the Mighty and Majestic approves of. Then trials occurred among the Muslims, and the Muslims fell behind significantly. Islam became confined, and many lands that had previously embraced Islam reverted, and the enemies were empowered over them. Islam will shrink until it returns to being strange, and the correct Islam, which follows the methodology of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, will be strange among people because of the fewness of those who practice Islam in the manner in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions did.
Indeed Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange as it began. So Tuba is for the strangers.
بدأ الإسلام غريبا وسيعود غريبا كما بدأ فطوبى للغرباءThe Shaykh : Its meaning is that when Islam first appeared, it was strange, and only one or two or three people or the like would embrace it. It was like a stranger in a land other than his own. Then Islam developed and spread across the regions of the world, and the Muslims became dominant when they held fast to it in a manner that Allah the Mighty and Majestic approves of. Then trials occurred among the Muslims, and the Muslims fell behind significantly. Islam became confined, and many lands that had previously embraced Islam reverted, and the enemies were empowered over them. Islam will shrink until it returns to being strange, and the correct Islam, which follows the methodology of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, will be strange among people because of the fewness of those who practice Islam in the manner in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions did.