Hell’s Way Passes Through Fitnah

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

أَلَا فِي الْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا ۗ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌ بِالْكَافِرِينَ

(Qur’ān 09:49)

“Alā Fī Al-Fitnati Saqaţū ۗ Wa ’Inna Jahannama Lamuĥīţatun Bil-Kāfirīn”

“Surely, they have fallen into trial. And verily, Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.” Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm.

Those who fall into fitnah (discord), He ﷻ says. They deserve hell. Fitnah means something that harms people. Fitnah is from shayṭān. The shayṭān doesn’t want people to rest. He wants to lead them all to hell. And the way to hell passes through fitnah.

The way of fitnah leads to hell. Fitnah is something that harms. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla has cursed it. Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam said there is a curse upon those who instigate fitnah.

Therefore, one must be careful. Some people think they are doing good but instigate fitnah. Because of fitnah, they harm people. First and foremost, they harm themselves. Fitnah has been a constant source of trouble since the time of our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam, even since the time of Adam ‘alayhi s-salām.

But most recently, during the time of our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam, there were great fitnahs. These fitnahs caused harm to those who caused them. And those who were subjected to the fitnah, even if it caused them harm in this world, their reward in the hereafter is great.

Therefore, you mustn’t fall into fitnah. You must be vigilant. The shayṭān is luring you into a trap. The shayṭān’s helpers are luring you into a trap so that all the good deeds, thawāb and rewards you have will be taken away.

And on top of that, they will burden you with a great deal of sin so that you are guaranteed to go to hell. May Allāh ﷻ protect us.

We are living in the end times. Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam said that the fitnahs of the end times are like the darkness of night. Therefore, there is no need to dwell too much on what is done. What Allāh ﷻ says will happen.

Whatever happens, whether you like it or not, you will wait for when Allāh ﷻ sends the savior to save you. You cannot save yourself. If you want to save yourself, simply don’t fall into fitnah. Don’t get involved with anyone, don’t follow anyone, and you will find salvation from shayṭān and his followers.

That’s why, Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim used to say, when there is fitnah, when there is great fitnah, do not leave the house and do not listen to anyone.

May Allāh ﷻ protect us from fitnah. May Allāh ﷻ protect us all from the fitnah of shayṭān and from the fitnah of the end times, and grant us all vigilance, in shā’a Llāh. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

8 April 2026/ 20 Shawwal 1447

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

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