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Encyclopedia of Religion entry for
Fitan
A term specially used for those wars and commotions which shall precede the Resurrection. A chapter is devoted to the subject in all the books of traditions (See Sahihu ‘l Bukhari, p 1045; Sahihu Muslim p 388) Muhammad is related to have said "There will be Khalifahs after me that will not go the straight road in which I have gone, nor will follow my example, but in those times there will be the hearts of devils in the bodies of men." Huzaifah then said to him, "O Prophet, what shall I do if I live to see those days? And the Prophet said, "Obey him who has the rule over you, even though he flog your back and take your money." Saliyah, in a tradition recorded in the at-Tirmizi and Abu Daud said that Muhammad said that the succession would last for thirty years, and that the "four rightly directed Khalifahs", reigned exactly that time; Abu Bakr, two years; ‘Umar, ten; ‘Uthman, twelve; and Ali, six. A mover or leader of sedition is called a baght or rebel. [REBELLION.] 
pl. of fitnah. Seditions; strifes; commotions.
citations: Dictionary of Islam, Hughes
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12
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