Author: Ali Al-Timimi
Publication: www.islam.org.uk
Date:
URL: http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/unseen/0001.htm
At-Tuwaijiri's Ithaf al-Jama'a,
Vol. 1, pp. 365-366
The latest conflict in Kashmir between
the Mujahideen (those who fight in righteous jihaad) and India brings to
mind the ahadeeth regarding the conquest of India prior to the day of Judgment.
Thawban, radhiAllaahu 'anhu (May
Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi
wa sallam (May Allah's peace and blessing be upon him), said, "Two groups
of my ummah Allah has protected from the hellfire: a group that will conquer
India and a group that will be with 'Isa b. Maryam, alayhis salaam (Jesus,
May Peace be upon him)." [Reported by Ahmad, an-Nisa'i, and at-Tabarani]
Na'im b. Hammad in al-Fitan reports
that Abu Hurayrah, radhiAllaahu 'anhu, said that the Messenger of Allah,
sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, mentioned India and said, "A group of you
will conquer India, Allah will open for them [India] until they come with
its kings chained - Allah having forgiven their sins - when they return
back [from India], they will find Ibn Maryam in Syria."
While Abu Hurayrah said, "The Messenger
of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, promised us [the Muslims] the conquest
of India. If I was to come across that I will spend my soul and wealth.
If I am killed then I am among the best of martyrs. And if I return then
I am Abu Hurayrah the freed." [Reported by Ahmad, an-Nisa'i, and al-Hakim]
In another narration reported by
Ahmad, Abu Hurayrah says, "I was told by my khalil (trans - beloved), the
truthful and believed in, the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wa
sallam, that there will be in this ummah an expedition sent to Sind and
Hind (India) ..." The rest of the narration is the same but it has the
following addition, "... then I will be released from the Hellfire." At-Tuwaijri
remarks this addition explains what is meant by "the freed" above.
Historical background:
Ibn Kathir remarks in al-Bidaya
wan-Nihaya, "The Muslims invaded India during the days of Mu'awiya in the
year 44 A.H and [great] events transpired then. And [likewise] the mighty
and magnificent King Mahmud b. Subuktikin the ruler of Ghazna invaded the
lands of India at the turn of the fifth century. He entered India and killed,
took captive, [and] enslaved [many]. He took [muc] booty. He entered as-Sumanat
(*) and destroyed the great al-Budda which they worship and he stripped
it of its jewlery. He then returned [to Ghazna] safe, [Divinely] aided,
and victorious."
* as-Sumanat is a costal city where
India's scholars, monks, and the idol al-Budda are found.
At-Tuwaijiri remarks that Ibn al-Athir
has detailed the campaigns of Mahmud b. Subuktikin in his book al-Kamil
fi t-Tarikh.