Allah sent His Prophet at a time when the chain of messengers had stopped, and all nations had been sleeping for a long time. Troubles had arisen, the structure of things had broken apart, the flames of war were blazing, the world was without beauty and light, and its deceptions were apparent. At that time, its leaves had turned yellow, and there was despair from its fruits. Water had sunk into the earth, the minarets of guidance had disappeared, and the banners of destruction and misguidance were raised. The world was appearing before its people with harsh looks and furrowed brows. Its fruit was sedition, and its food was carrion. Its inner garment was fear, and its outer garment was the sword. O servants of Allah! Take lessons and remember those (evil deeds) in which your fathers and brothers are caught, and for which they will be held accountable. By my life! Your time is not far behind their time, nor is there a distance of centuries and ages between you and them. You are not far from that day when they were in loins. By Allah! The words that the Messenger (peace be upon him) reached their ears are the same words I am telling you today. And what was told to them is not less than what is being told to you. And just as their eyes were opened and hearts were made at that time, such eyes and such hearts have been given to you at this time. By Allah! After them, nothing new has been told to you that they were unaware of, and no special thing has been given to you that they were deprived of. Yes, a calamity has befallen you (like that she-camel) whose nose rope is loose and whose rein has become slack (which will stumble somewhere). Beware! Do not let the pomp and show of these deceived people deceive you, for it is a spread-out shadow whose time is limited.