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The latest conflict in Kashmir between the mujahideen and
India brings to mind the ahadeeth regarding the conquest of India prior to
the day of Judgment.
Thawban - may Allah be pleased with him - that the Messenger of Allah
(sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Two groups of my umma Allah has
protected from the hellfire: a group that will conquer India and a group
that will be with 'Isa b. Maryam - 'alaihimas- salat was-salam." Reported
Ahmad, an-Nisa'i, and at-Tabarani.
Na'im b. Hammad in al-Fitan reports that Abu Huraira - may Allah be pleased
with him - said that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi 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 Huraira said, "The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) promised us 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 Huraira the freed." Reported by
Ahmad, an-Nisa'i, and al-Hakim.
In another narration reported by Ahmad, Abu Huraira says, "I was told by my
khalil, teh truthful and believed in, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
'alaihi wa sallam) that there will be in this umma 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 wa n-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.
Reference: At-Tuwaijiri's Ithaf al-Jama'a, Vol. 1, pp. 365-366.
Source : islaam.com |
