Rabi’ bin Hirash says that when Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) came from Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: Yesterday, when we were sitting with him, he asked the companions,“Who among you has heard anything from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about tribulations (fitan)?”All said: Yes, we have heard such hadiths from you (peace and blessings be upon him). He said: Perhaps you think from my question that I am asking about the tribulation concerning a man’s family and wealth? They said: Yes, that is what we thought. He said: I am not asking about that; such tribulations are wiped away by good deeds like prayer, fasting, and charity. Tell me, has any of you heard from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about those tribulations which will come like the waves of the sea? Upon hearing this question, the people fell silent. I thought he was asking me, so I said: Shall I explain? He said: May Allah bless your father, you explain. I said: Tribulations will appear like the spreading of a mat; the heart that remains safe from these tribulations will have a white dot placed in it, and the heart that becomes involved in this tribulation will have a black dot placed in it, until, as the dots accumulate, hearts will become of two kinds: some hearts will become completely white like stone, and as long as the heavens and the earth remain, no tribulation will harm them; and some will become black and overturned like a jug, and with this, he turned his palm over to clarify the matter. They will not recognize good as good or evil as evil, and will be engrossed only in their desires. Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I also told Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that you have no need to fear these tribulations, because there is a closed door between you and them; yes, it is possible that it will be broken forcefully. Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: May your father perish, will it be broken? I said: Yes. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: If it is opened properly, then perhaps it could be closed again at some time. I said: It will not be opened, but rather it will be broken. I also explained to him that by this door is meant a person who will be killed or will die a natural death; this is a hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), not mere stories.