Advice to the Muslim living in an irreligious society

Q 4: What advice can you give me when I am living in this age teeming with heresies, atheism, corruption and forsaking of prayers? May Allah reward you with the best reward.

A: We advise you to fear Allah as He should be feared and we give you the same piece of advice that the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave to Hudhayfah ibn Al-Yaman. It was authentically reported that Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: (Part No. 2; Page No. 245)  “The people used to ask the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about the good, but I used to ask him about the evil lest it should afflict me. Once I said, “O Messenger of Allah! We were living in ignorance and evil then Allah bestowed upon us this goodness, so will there be evil after this goodness?” He said, “Yes”. I said, “Will there be goodness after this evil?” He said, “Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)” I said, “What will be its taint?” He said, “A people following a way other than my way (Sunnah) and calling to a guidance other than my guidance; you would agree with some of what they do and disagree with some.” I said, “Will there be evil after that goodness?” He said, “Yes, callers on the doors of Hellfire; whoever accepts their invitation to it they will throw into it.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Describe them to us.” He said, “They are from our own people, speaking our language.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! What do you command me to do if this happens in my time?” He said, “Adhere to the main group of Muslims and their leader.” I said, “What if there was not a main group for them or a leader? He said, “Then seclude yourself from all these sects, even if you have to bite (i.e. Eat) the root of a tree until death comes to you and you are in that state.” Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.