Afflictions and the End of the World

Bukhari :: Book 9 :: Volume 88 :: Hadith 215

Narrated Sa'id bin Jubair:

'Abdullah bin 'Umar came to us and we hoped that he would narrate to us a good Hadith. But before we asked him, a man got up and said to him, "O Abu 'Abdur-Rahman! Narrate to us about the battles during the time of the afflictions, as Allah says:--

'And fight them until there is no more afflictions (i.e. no more worshipping of others besides Allah).'" (2.193) Ibn 'Umar said (to the man), "Do you know what is meant by afflictions? Let your mother bereave you! Muhammad used to fight against the pagans, for a Muslim was put to trial in his religion (The pagans will either kill him or chain him as a captive). His fighting was not like your fighting which is carried on for the sake of ruling."