In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Indeed, the lost ones at daily sabah are in need of a serious reminder due to the title given to one of their articles as follows: “Archaeologists reshaped world history in 2022 with new discoveries”, and from those discoveries that reshaped world history are the so called Oldest predator fossil, 2,300-year-old Tuscan statues, First ever amputation, and Shipwrecks and gods. https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/archaeologists-reshaped-world-history-in-2022-with-new-discoveries

Firstly, if this article was written by Muslims, then indeed we remind that they are wasting time in that which will not benefit them in the afterlife. Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee al-Madkhalee [may Allaah preserve him] stated: The attention given to artefacts (or relics) – in this era – in the manner pursued by the Archaeologists was not known during the era of the Prophet’s companions [may Allaah be pleased with them] and the pious predecessors [may Allaah have mercy upon them]; but rather the Muslims blindly followed the Europeans and Americans whose greatest goal in studying artefacts (or relics) in the land of the Muslims is to revive (the traits of) pre-Islamic nationalism, such as Pharaonism, (Pan) Babylonianism, Phoenicianism etc. And they succeeded to a great extent in actualizing many of these goals and thus arose – in the Muslim lands – the (traits) of pre-Islamic national pride and taking pride in these nationalisms.

Indeed, I am amazed with the example of yours [i.e. the person the Rabee is refuting] regarding the towns of (Prophet) Saaleh and Ukhdood [ie. the people who tortured the believers mentioned in Surah Al-Burooj], which are places (that earned) Allaah’s anger!! Imaam Al-Bukhaaree [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Jufee narrated to us that Abdur Razzaaq narrated to them from Az-Zuhree who narrated from Saalim, who narrated from Ibn Umar [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father], who said, ‘When the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] passed by Al-Hijr, he said, ‘Do not enter the dwelling places of those people who were unjust to themselves unless you enter in a weeping state lest the same calamity as of theirs should befall you’. Then he covered his head and made his speed fast till he crossed the valley”. Yahyah Bin Bukayr narrated to us who said that Maalik narrated to us from Abdullaah Bin Deenaar who reported from Ibn Umar [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father], who said, “Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to his companions who were at Al-Hijr, ‘Do not enter upon these people who are being punished, except in a weeping state, lest the same calamity as of theirs should befall you’”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Numbers 4419 and 4420]

The two Prophetic reports show the danger of entering the places of those who incurred Allaah’s anger and He destroyed them due to their disbelief, denial of the prophets and what their message. The Prophet did not permit entry into them [i.e. those places] except for one who fears Allaah and fears His punishment, so he enters them when in need whilst he is in a weeping state.

It is feared for the one who enters the dwellings of those who were punished that he would be afflicted with the punishment that afflicted them. It is legislated for the one who approaches those dwellings to go past quickly whilst covering his face to follow the example of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. Do the Muslim possess understanding – and amongst them the Archeologists and those who encourage them – of what is in this Prophetic guidance that came from one who does not speak out of his own desires [I.e. Muhammad -peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]? Also, Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] legislated for the one who goes past the valleys of Muhassar to hurry because Allaah destroyed the people of the Elephant over there [i.e. the story of the people of the Elephant – Surah Al-Feel].

So, those who excavate the artefacts (relics) of the people of Aad, Thamood, the Ashaab Al-Ukhdood, the pharoanic and Babylonian artieacts (or relics), do they act based on the guidance of Allaah’s Messenger or do they blindly follow the enemies of Allaah who set up partnership of exploration for them from the artefacts (or relics) of the destroyed nations in order to entice (them) to the pride of pre Islamic ignorance. Indeed, I and other than myself have read the numerous boasting of Muslims or those who ascribe to Islam, such as the statement of some of them, “O Misree (i.e. Egyptian)! Be proud of the builders of your glory when people were sleeping”. He boasts about the Pharoanic artefacts (relics) such as the pyramids and other than them. (1)

If those who wrote this article are non-Muslims, then indeed, we remind them that the purpose of life is to submit to the Creator by worshipping Him alone, obey His final Messenger and keeping away from false deities. They should not be biguiled by their knowledge of these discoveries, as Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “The greatest evils of knowledge and inconsistencies occurs as a result of acquainting oneself with the creation without its Creator, acquaintance with effects without the One who created those effects, acquaintance with causes without the one who created those causes and acquaintance with the paths without its sound goals. The deficiency in this type of acquaintance is numerous and its harm is great, for indeed many of the atheists and those deceived by them are skilled in the natural sciences, but they confine themselves to it and are blind regarding its association with its Creator and Causer. And with regards to that which is placed in these natural sciences of wonders and secrets, they see themselves as those who know the wonders of the natural sciences – which none knows besides them – and the secrets which Allāh has placed in nature, so it gives them higher status over others and thus they become afflicted with vanity and self-deception. They confine themselves to it, consider it as the final outcome, the purpose and the goal, and thus occurs great deviation, deficiency in knowledge and intellect. If they knew and affirmed belief in the true Creator and the One Who Controls all the affairs of the Universe- the One who attached the means and causes to His Qadaa Wal Qadr (see footnote a), know that the means and causes are an abode of His Perfect Wisdom – for indeed Allāh [The Most High] is All-Wise, He placed things in their rightful places, gave the subtle affairs and big affairs an amazing orderly system and a firm association; gave everything that is sought after and the goals a means or cause, and a path that will lead to it, and due to this results and outcomes are based on the strength or weakness of the means or causes, and the strength or weakness of the performer of the deed- and then they bound these means, paths and outcomes to Allāh’s Qadaa Wal Qadr, their knowledge would have been perfected and they would have acquired of certainty that which cannot be acquired by those who have not reached their level; but they are glad (and proud) with that which they know of those paths whose tangible worldly outcomes they know and became haughty by way of them, so the statement of Allāh [The Most High] apply to them: [فلما جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينات فرحوا بما عندهم من العلم وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون – Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 83]

Allāh said:
وجعلنا لهم سمعا وأبصارا وأفئدة فما أغنى عنهم سمعهم ولا أبصارهم ولا أفئدتهم من شيء إذ كانوا يجحدون بآيات الله وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون

And indeed We had firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you (O Quraish)! And We had assigned them the (faculties of) hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts, but their hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and their hearts availed them nothing since they used to deny the Ayat (Allah’s Prophets and their Prophethood, proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock at! [Surah Al-Ahqaaf. Aayah 26]

This is the greatest evil consequence of self-amazement and arrogance without exception, and the most perilous path through which many people become beguiled and deceived; therefore we ask Allāh to blessed us with sound knowledge that is supported by sound intellect, divine text and sound natural disposition – the beneficial knowledge which the servant knows in all its aspects, and the knowledge which links the subsidiary affairs to its (sound) fundamental principles, and its means, causes, effects and outcomes are ascribed to the One Who originated and created them. It is the knowledge whose possessor does not disassociate the creation from its Creator- neither disassociates its effects from the One Who made them effective, nor disassociates the wisdom, the secrets and the amazing orderly systems in the creation from the One Who Created and Perfected them, organised them in perfect order and brought them into existence prior to their non-existence. This is the knowledge that bears the fruits of certainty and through which tranquility is obtained, and through which happiness and success is attained. It bears the fruits of beautiful manners and righteous deeds, beneficial to the religious and worldly affairs.

As for the sciences of the deviants – as we mentioned – they are mutilated, amputated and stale. The end result of its usefulness is similar to the benefit of the physical industries as it is witnessed and clearly seen. Neither does it bear fruits of Eemaan nor honesty, neither mercy nor beautiful manners; rather its fruits are the opposite. Everyone with a great (sound) mind and (sound) high intelligence becomes extremely sorrowful that these are its goal and fruits, for indeed sound intellect understands things and fully comprehends them in all their aspects, then engages with the beneficial things, makes use of the good things and skills (or talents) which a servant is endowed with; combining between the affairs related to one’s wellbeing in this worldly life and the Hereafter, and that which benefits the body and the souls; sound examination of the principles (or precepts) and final outcomes, and linking matters that are related to each other, because anyone who is not attributed to these characteristics has deficiency in his intelligence accordingly, so how about his religion?

And among the signs of the deviants in relation to religion and intelligence is that they are deceived by their opinions and absurd intellects, and their mockery of the intellects of the most excellent human beings and the most virtuous of them amongst the Prophets, their followers and the people guidance. So, through this their arrogance is known- their excessive behaviour and rejection of that which can never be rejected and their wilful denial of the virtue of those who came before them to reject the truth. They hinder the servants of Allaah from the religion and path ordained by Allāh, and they speak about the realities mentioned by the Messengers in a manner other than its true reality. And they say:, “This is an ancient intellect (or mind); an outdated opinion, the tales of the ancients”, just as the Messengers were opposed by their enemies with these filthy and nefarious statements. Indeed, many of the children and the youth who neither possess insight nor mature intellects have been deceived by them. Do they not know that the intellects can neither be complete nor purified except by divine revelation and the Qur’aan, and cannot be beneficial intellect until it is nourished with the guidance and certainty which the Messenger brought?

Allāh [The Most High] said: [إن في ذلك لآيات لأولي النهى – Verily, in this are proofs and signs for men of understanding]. [Surah Taha. Aayah 54] [لآيات لأولي الألباب – There are indeed signs for men of understanding]. [Surah Aal Imran. Aayah 190]

They are the people of decent intellect, rightly guided views and purified manners. Can one find sound intellects that can be anywhere closer to the (perfect, unmatched, unblemished, upright) intellect of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] without whom the intellects and views cannot be illuminated except through his intellect? The perfection of the intellects are based on how much they have obtain from his intelligence, what he deems to be correct, and his guidance and perfect path which is free from error, so they nourish themselves with its light, guidance and the perfect course it leads to. Allāh [The Most High] said: [والنجم إذا هوى ما ضل صاحبكم وما غوى وما ينطق عن الهوى إن هو إلا وحي يوحى – By the star when it goes down, (or vanishes). Your companion (Muhammad ) has neither gone astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired]. [Surah An-Najm Aayah 1-4]

This is a description of the Prophet, that he has perfect knowledge and guidance, upright path that leads to the perfect course and perfect protection from error in his statements and deeds. And due to this, one knows that everything that opposes his guidance, his upright path that leads to the perfect course and his guidance to that course, then it is tantamount to misguidance, deviation, foolishness and destruction. Indeed, the state of affairs is the greatest testimony to that. Has anyone acquired an atom’s weight of good – internally and externally- and from the great beneficial fruitful outcomes, except through him and his teachings? Has anyone been guided except by fulfilling his command and keeping away from what he has forbidden? Has anything – from the religious and worldly affairs – become upright and has no corruption, except by way of following what he has left behind, and following him in the fundamentals and subsidiary branches of the religion, its paths and goals? There is no good, guidance, mercy, righteousness, rectification of the outward deeds and inner self except that he has guided the creation to it and to its etiquettes, and there is no evil, except that he has warned against it.

Allāh [The Most High] said: [اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الإسلام دينا – This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Aayah 3]

And part of its perfection is that it guides to that which is most just (or upright) in affairs of creed, manners and deeds. Creeds, manners and deeds are perfected by way of it and it is not beset by deficiency from any angle. And part of its perfection is that indeed it is perfectly upright and suitable for every era and place, and prevents all social and personal problems. And part of its perfection is that the tangible (sound) intellectual realities and what is truthfully witnessed based on experience are included in it and safeguarded under it. And part of its perfection is that it has clarified and explained the correct position regarding the varying opinions and the contradictory statements about which people hold difference of opinion; distinguished what is upright from what is corrupt, what is just from what is unjust, and what is truth from what is falsehood. And part of its perfection is that the intellects are perfected by way of it, the views are illuminated and through its guidance that which rectifies the religious and worldly affairs are obtained – every good related to religion and worldly affairs, hidden or apparent, is from its outcomes and fruitful results; completed as a favour upon the believers and brought about various types of good for all the creation. All Praise and Thanks be to Allāh, Who blessed the servants by way of it, made it a guidance and mercy in the affairs of wellbeing of this life and the Hereafter”. (2)

Imaam Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls [i.e. upon excellent traits, manners, dealings, characteristics, sound creed etc] which are the determinants of [sound] rectification and success. What the Religion of Islaam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification; it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge, guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts [upon righteousness], urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity.
The essence of that which the religion calls to – regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allaah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islaam.

Therefore, even if the worldly sciences rectify [some] affairs based upon that which [some] people know in detail, it will still not be equal [in perfection, excellence etc] to the knowledge of the Messengers [in the least]. It will neither reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done; for indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allaah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature. [Al-Adillah Al-Qawaati Wal-Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen 49-50]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Industrialization And Modern Inventions: Everyone has participated in it – the righteous, the wicked, the believer and the disbeliever. As for religion and [virtuous] manners, then indeed -in this era-, it has greatly declined. So, when this industrial advancement is devoid of Deen and Eemaan, it became a great harm from two angles: Firstly: It beguiled many people, who – due of their ignorance – think that worldly advancement is proof to show that its people are more worthy of achieving every good than others. They are clearly misguided, for indeed a person might be from the most skillful in affairs related to the material world, whilst he is one of the most ignorant people in affairs related to the deen, virtuous manners and the [other] beneficial affairs in this life and the next. Secondly: When these inventions are devoid of Deen, its mercy and wisdom, it becomes a great disaster for humankind due to the wars that resulted from them, killing, destruction and other affairs related to it. Its regulators [or overseers] and scholars are unable to laydown – for humankind -a stable, just and good life, rather they have not ceased moving from one misrable state to another. This is inevitable and the continuous state of affairs shows that [to be the case]. Therefore all good is found in the sound religion and all evil is found in rejecting and willfully denying [Allaah, His Messengers, His Laws, Guidance, Commands, Prohibitions etc] [Al-Adilladul Qawaati Wal Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen. 45-46]

Secondly, whether this article was written by Muslims or non-Muslims, they are in need of being reminded about the greatest evil and costliest error in human history. Read: https://salaficentre.com/2021/02/21/greatest-evil-in-the-world-costliest-error-in-human-history-danger-of-blindly-following-ancestors-and-the-most-precious-thing-at-the-time-of-death/

Thirdly, what is the relationship between our affairs and that of our forefathers?! Allaah [The Exalted] said: [قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ – Many similar mishaps [troubles, problems] of life were faced by nations that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Verse 137]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Indeed, there were nations like yourselves before you, so look to their evil end. You have to know that the reason behind their evil end was due to their disbelief in the revelations of Allaah and disbelief in Allaah’s Messengers. They were the forefathers and you are the descendants. The main affair that connects you to each other is your disbelief and the ruling on that disbelief is destruction. (3)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “If it is said, ‘What is the benefit in narrating to us the stories of the destroyed nations despite the fact that this Ummah will not be completely destroyed in a manner similar to the destruction of the previous nations before it?’”.

The Answer: Indeed, this has two benefits: The first benefit is a clarification of Allaah’s blessings upon us that the occurrence of a complete destruction is removed from us, and that were it not for Allaah’s Benevolence we would have been deserving of it. Second, the likeness of the punishment they received may occur in the hereafter for the one who did what they did, if punishment was not received in the worldly life. And this may be understood from the statement of Allaah: “Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the population of towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful and severe. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter.” So what is apparent from this Aayah is that what is similar to the punishment they received will happen in the Hereafter, and Allaah knows best. (4)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to Tawheed- singling out Allaah in worship- and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to (our) opposition to the Messenger, the call to other than (the way of) Allaah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allaah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this affair regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allaah –The Most High, The Most Great. (5)

Therefore, ponder upon these Ayaat and may Allaah guide all of us to that which is more important and useful. Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ‌ۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah).” Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth). [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 36]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ
وَمَا يَأۡتِيہِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ
كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ
لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

Indeed, We sent Messengers before you (O Muhammad ) amongst the sects (communities) of old. And never came a Messenger to them but they did mock him. Thus do We let it (polytheism and disbelief) enter into the hearts of the Mujrimun [criminals, polytheists, pagans, etc. (because of their mockery at the Messengers)]. They would not believe in it (the Qur’an), and already the example of (Allah’s punishment of) the ancients (who disbelieved) has gone forth. [Surah Al-Hijr. Aayaat 10-13]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤۡمِنُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّهُمۡ إِلَّآ أَن تَأۡتِيَہُمۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ قُبُلاً۬
وَمَا نُرۡسِلُ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ‌ۚ وَيُجَـٰدِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ بِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ لِيُدۡحِضُواْ بِهِ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ وَٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَايَـٰتِى وَمَآ أُنذِرُواْ هُزُوً۬ا
وَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعۡرَضَ عَنۡہَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتۡ يَدَاهُ‌ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ أَڪِنَّةً أَن يَفۡقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِہِمۡ وَقۡرً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِن تَدۡعُهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَہۡتَدُوٓاْ إِذًا أَبَدً۬ا
وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ذُو ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ‌ۖ لَوۡ يُؤَاخِذُهُم بِمَا ڪَسَبُواْ لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ‌ۚ بَل لَّهُم مَّوۡعِدٌ۬ لَّن يَجِدُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَوۡٮِٕلاً۬
وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَهۡلَكۡنَـٰهُمۡ لَمَّا ظَلَمُواْ وَجَعَلۡنَا لِمَهۡلِكِهِم مَّوۡعِدً۬ا

And nothing prevents men from believing, now when the guidance (the Qur’an) has come to them, and from asking Forgiveness of their Lord, except that the ways of the ancients be repeated with them (i.e. their destruction decreed by Allah), or the torment be brought to them face to face? And We send not the Messengers except as giver of glad tidings and warners. But those who disbelieve, dispute with false argument, in order to refute the truth thereby. And they treat My Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and that with which they are warned, as jest and mockery! And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, but turns away from them forgetting what (deeds) his hands have sent forth. Truly, We have set veils over their hearts lest they should understand this (the Qur’an), and in their ears, deafness. And if you (O Muhammad ) call them to guidance, even then they will never be guided. And your Lord is Most Forgiving, Owner of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would have hastened their punishment. But they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no escape. And these towns (population, ‘Ad, Thamud, etc.) We destroyed when they did wrong. And We appointed a fixed time for their destruction. [Surah Al-Kahf. Aayaat 55-59]

Finally, regardless of the corruption and heedlessness, and wasting time in that which is not of priority in this short worldly life, indeed, Allaah will always preserve the way of life that leads to His Pleasure by way of those who will revive the correct beliefs and deeds, and forbid evil. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

فَلَوۡلَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ أُوْلُواْ بَقِيَّةٍ۬ يَنۡہَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡفَسَادِ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ مِّمَّنۡ أَنجَيۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مَآ أُتۡرِفُواْ فِيهِ وَكَانُواْ مُجۡرِمِينَ

If only there had been among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from Al-Fasad (disbelief, polytheism, and all kinds of crimes and sins) in the earth, except a few of those whom We saved from among them. Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of good things of (this worldly) life, and were Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in Allah, polytheists, sinners, etc.). [Surah Hud. Aayah 116]

The Relationship Between Sinning And Our Circumstances:
https://salaficentre.com/2019/12/04/the-relationship-between-sinning-and-ones-circumstances/

The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said, “Allaah will raise for this Ummah at the end of every hundred years the one who will revive its religion for it”. [Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawud. Hadeeth Number 4291]

“Allaah will raise for this Ummah”– Meaning the Ummatul Ijaabah [i.e. the Muslims]. “At the end of every hundred years”– Meaning at the end of every hundred years when there is little knowledge of the Sharee’ah and the authentic Prophetic Tradition, whilst ignorance and religious innovation is rife. “One who will revive its religion for it”– Meaning a scholar who is alive and well known. He will clarify the authentic Prophetic Tradition and distinguish it from the religious innovations. knowledge will be abundant again and its adherents will be aided, and the proponents of religious will be overcome and degraded. This reviver is non else but a scholar who has sound understanding of the religious sciences that deal with acts of worship, the underlying wisdoms of the religion and the texts that deal with beliefs of the heart. [Awnul Ma’bood Sharh Sunan Abee Daawud. Vol 11. Pages 259-260]

Imaam Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “A group amongst the scholars- including Ahmad Bin Hanbal – stated that Umar Bin Abdul Azeez was alive at the end of the first hundred years and he is more worthy and entitled to be entered into this category of people due to his leadership and striving to establish truth”. [Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 9. Pages 303-309]

The Prophet [peace and blessinsg of Allaah be upon him] said: “There will not cease to be a group amongst my Ummah upon the truth; neither will they be harmed by those who betray them nor those who oppose them until the command of Allaah arrives [i.e. the day of judgement]”. [Bukhaari]

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated: This group will not cease to exist in the Ummah. The Ummah will not be deprived of this Sunni Group. This Taa’ifah can be one group. If it adheres to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, it is the Taa’ifah Al-Mansoorah [The Victorious Group], even if it is only one. The Ummah will not lose this Sunni Group, this good group, and all praise be to Allaah – until the command of Allaah comes to pass [i.e. the day of judgment]. ‘They will not be harmed by those who forsake them’. Amongst the people are those who forsake them and those who oppose them, but they will not be harmed. This is from Allaah’s Grace upon His servants and that He will establish the truth for the one who aids the truth and call to it, even if evil is rife. There will be those who adhere to good, call to it and disseminate it amongst the people. Not all the Ummah will be misguided, but some will remain upon truth, but they might be strangers [i.e. their affair will be strange to the people], just as the Prophet said, “Islam began as a strange thing and it will return as a strange thing, and glad tidings to the strangers”, so they said, ‘Who are the strangers O Messenger of Allaah? He said, ‘They are those who will be upright when the people become corrupt’.. and in another version of this hadeeth, “Those who rectify what the people have corrupted’. These are the strangers, because the majority of the people oppose them, belittle, forsake and keep away from what they are upon, but this will not harm them, “They will never be harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them’. Allaah will make them remain so that His Proofs remain amongst the creation until the end of time. This group might be in the East, the West, or the North etc…They are not in a specific place, but they are present. Whoever wants will find it. It is present and all praise is due to Allaah. Alhamdulil laah, we – at present – are upon a correct methodology, upon a sound methodology; our methodology is that which the Qur’aan and sunnah necessitate, our learning is based upon the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. We study Tafseer, hadeeth and its explanation, the Aqeedah of the pious predecessors and that which they were upon. Alhamadulil laah at present we are upon a correct path, a sound methodology and straight path. We ask Allaah to keep us firm upon it until we meet him, neither substituting nor changing it. (6)

We ask Allaah to preoccupied us with what is beneficial throughout our lives Aameen.

[Ref 1: Baraa’atus Sahaabah Al-Akhyaar Min At-Tabarruk Bil Amaakin Wal-Aalathaar. Pages 11-14. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deen Al-Islaamiy. pages 37-40]

[Ref 3: Source: I’laam Al-Muwaqqi-een: 1/181]

[Ref 4: Source: Al-Muntaqaa Min Fawaa’idil Fawaa’id 123-124]

[Ref 5: Badaa’i Al-Fawaa’id 3/525-526]

[Ref 6: Paraphrased Excerpt: Listen to audio here: https://safeyoutube.net/w/TlUI ]