The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to be a prominent issue to this day. One aspect that has also drawn attention is the involvement of Muslim soldiers from Chechnya who have joined the Russian forces.
It is worth noting that Chechnya itself has a population that is 95 percent Muslim, and Islam is the second-largest religion in Russia after Orthodox Christianity. Observing this phenomenon, many people associate it with the events of the end times according to Islamic teachings.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, once said:
“You will make peace with the people of Rome in a state of safety, then you and they will fight against a common enemy. You will achieve victory and obtain war spoils safely. Then you will travel until you reach a vast, grassy plain with hills. A man from the Christian group will raise the cross and say, ‘The cross has triumphed.’ At that moment, a Muslim man will become angry with him, push him, and he will fall (and die). At that time, the Romans will betray you, and they will gather to fight against you under 80 banners, with each banner consisting of 12,000 soldiers.”Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah
This Hadith is also recorded by Ibn Kathir in one of his books. The Hadith explains that it appears that the Muslims and the people of Rome (Byzantine Empire) will enter into a peace treaty at some point, with the objective of jointly fighting a common enemy.
From this, many people argue that Russia is the nation of Rome mentioned in the hadith. Is this true?
The term “Rum” has been known in the Arabic language since the 4th century CE and is mentioned in the Namara Inscription. Moreover, the term “Rum” used here is consistent with the mention of “Rum” in the Quran, particularly in Surah Ar-Rum, where it is understood to refer to the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire).
The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, is famously recognized as the predecessor to the present-day region of Turkey following its conquest by Muhammad Al-Fatih (Mehmed the Conqueror). Even after its conquest, Byzantium continued to be referred to as Rum or Rumelia, indicating its geographical connection to the Roman land.
In the hadith mentioned earlier, it is stated that the Muslims will make peace with the people of Rome. The term “Rum” in this context refers to the non-Muslim community.
Considering the political existence of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire), it is true that this empire is no longer present. Moreover, in terms of current geography, the territories once occupied by the Byzantine Empire are now predominantly inhabited by Muslim communities.
Indeed, the term “Rum” is not solely limited to geographical or political contexts but also carries religious connotations. According to a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, mentioned that the people of Rome are the followers of the Cross (Christianity).
In terms of the adherents of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, they are primarily located in the Balkan region and Russia, including countries such as Belarus, Serbia, Ukraine, Romania, and Russia itself. These countries represent the politically recognized entities that are associated with the people of Rome through their affiliation with Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Indeed, based on the information provided, there is a possibility that Russia could be the nation of Rome referred to in the hadith. This interpretation takes into account both the political and religious aspects associated with the country.
However, it is important to note that interpreting a hadith is not a straightforward task. It requires careful analysis, considering various factors, historical context, and scholarly opinions. Therefore, it cannot be definitively asserted with 100% certainty that Russia is the nation of Rome mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The true interpretation remains a matter of scholarly debate, and only Allah knows the absolute truth.
