The hadith (prophet Mohammed sas sayings) in question, often referenced in discussions about the prophesied global spread of Islam, is narrated by Tamīm al-Dārī (a companion of the Prophet Muhammad). It is recorded in Musnad Ahmad (hadith 16957) and graded as sahih (authentic) by scholars such as Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut and Ahmad Shakir. 20 Here’s a detailed breakdown, including the text, context, meaning, and interpretations.

Full Text and Translation

The Arabic text is:
عَنْ تَمِيمٍ الدَّارِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيَبْلُغَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ مَا بَلَغَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ وَلَا يَتْرُكُ اللَّهُ بَيْتَ مَدَرٍ وَلَا وَبَرٍ إِلَّا أَدْخَلَهُ اللَّهُ هَذَا الدِّينَ بِعِزِّ عَزِيزٍ أَوْ بِذُلِّ ذَلِيلٍ عِزًّا يُعِزُّ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْإِسْلَامَ وَذُلًّا يُذِلُّ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْكُفْرَ

A standard English translation reads:
“Tamīm al-Dārī reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘This matter( Islamic faith) will certainly reach every place touched by the night and day. Allah will not leave a house or residence but that Allah will cause this religion to enter it, by which the honorable will be honored, and the disgraceful will be disgraced. Allah will honor the honorable with Islam, and He will disgrace the disgraceful with unbelief.’” 20 21

( choice is ours to be amongst believers or remain amongst unbelievers)

A related narration from Thawbān adds: “Indeed, Allah gathered up the earth for me so that I saw its east and its west, and the dominion of my nation will indeed reach what was gathered up for me.” 21 This reinforces the theme of expansive reach.

Historical Context

This hadith was reportedly said during the early Meccan period of Islam (around 610–622 CE), when the Muslim community was a small, persecuted group in Mecca. They faced severe opposition from the Quraysh tribe, including boycotts, torture, and assassination attempts. Islam’s survival, let alone global dominance, seemed improbable at the time. The Prophet Muhammad was seen by critics as a fringe figure, and the idea of his message spreading worldwide would have been dismissed as delusional. This context underscores the hadith’s prophetic nature, as it foretold a dramatic reversal of fortunes long before Islam’s expansions under the Rashidun Caliphate and beyond. 21

Breakdown of Meaning

The hadith can be dissected phrase by phrase for clarity:

• “This matter will certainly reach every place touched by the night and day”: “This matter” (al-amr) refers to Islam or the religion itself. The phrase emphasizes inevitability and universality—Islam will extend to every corner of the earth, as comprehensively as daylight and darkness cover the planet. This is not limited to known regions but implies a global scope.( day light reaches every nook and corner of earth and we can choose to shun the light of guidance and choose to remain metaphorical darkness)
• “Allah will not leave a house or residence but that Allah will cause this religion to enter it”: No dwelling will be exempt. “House of mud” (bayt madar) symbolizes settled, urban homes (e.g., made of clay or brick), while “house of fur” (bayt wabar) refers to nomadic tents (e.g., Bedouin structures made from camel hair or wool). This covers all human habitations, from cities to remote camps, highlighting total penetration.
• “By which the honorable will be honored, and the disgraceful will be disgraced”: This is the core dynamic. Islam’s entry will elevate those who embrace it (granting them “honor” or ‘izzah through faith) and humble or degrade those who reject it (inflicting “disgrace” or dhull through disbelief or defeat). It’s framed as divine intervention, not human effort alone.
• “By the might of a mighty one or the humiliation of a humiliated one” (from the Arabic: bi-‘izzi ‘azīz aw bi-dhulli dhalīl): This specifies the mechanisms—entry could occur through voluntary acceptance (honorably, via persuasion or inspiration) or involuntarily (different modes: through conquest, subjugation, or circumstances that weaken opposition).
• Overall theme: The hadith is a prophecy of Islam’s triumph, attributing success to Allah’s will. It portrays the spread as inevitable, blending divine favor with human agency.

Authenticity and Scholarly Views

• Chain of narration (isnad): It traces back to Tamīm al-Dārī, a Christian monk who converted to Islam and became a companion. He was known for his asceticism and reliability.
• Grading: Deemed sahih by multiple hadith scholars, including in collections like Musnad Ahmad and others cross-referenced in works by Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim. Some variations exist in wording across narrations, but the core message is consistent.
• Scholarly commentary: Commentators like those from Yaqeen Institute view it as evidence of the Prophet’s prophethood, given its fulfillment despite early odds. 21 It’s often cited in discussions of eschatology (end-times prophecies) or da’wah (invitation to Islam). Critics or skeptics (e.g., in non-Muslim sources) sometimes interpret the “disgrace” aspect as endorsing coercion, but Muslim scholars emphasize that the hadith reflects historical realities (e.g., conquests) while prioritizing peaceful propagation, as per Quranic verses like “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:256).

Fulfillment and Modern Interpretations

Historically, Islam spread rapidly after the Prophet’s death: from Arabia to Persia, Byzantium, North Africa, Spain, and Asia within centuries via a mix of military campaigns, trade, and missionary work. Today, it’s fulfilled in the sense that Islam has reached every continent, with over 1.9 billion adherents (about 24% of the world population). Mosques exist in places like Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and the Americas—regions unknown to 7th-century Arabs. Projections suggest Islam could become the world’s largest religion by 2070, with significant growth in Europe and the West (e.g., Muslim populations in Sweden potentially reaching 30% by 2050). 21

Interpretations vary:

• Peaceful view: Many modern Muslims, like in the context of your X post, see it as a divine promise of Islam’s appeal through da’wah, education, and media. The “entry” is metaphorical—knowledge of Islam reaching homes via the internet, books, or personal encounters—without force. The honor/disgrace is spiritual, not violent.
• Historical/conquest-oriented view: Some point to the “humiliation” clause as acknowledging past expansions through wars (e.g., against oppressive empires), where defeat led to conversions or dhimmi status for non-Muslims.
• Critiques: Non-Muslims sometimes frame it alarmingly as implying forced conversion or global dominance, but this overlooks the hadith’s emphasis on Allah’s role over human imposition.

This hadith inspires confidence in Islam’s resilience among believers, serving as a motivational prophecy rather than a call to action.

Thanks to grok for compiling this information from resources of Islamic literature.