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It has been authentically reported in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of al Layth ibn Sad that Musa ibn `Ulay said, that his father said that Al Mustawird al Qurashee said, while in the presence of `Amr ibn al `Aass: I heard the Messenger of Allaah, may the Salaat and Salaam be upon him, say: "The hour will be established when the Romans are the most numerous of people." `Umar ibn al `Aas said to him: "Look at what you are saying!" Al Mustawrid replied: "And why shouldnt I say what the Messenger of Allaah said." Upon that, `Amr replied: "If it is as you say, it is because the Romans have four characteristics: The First: They are a people with the most forbearance during Fitan. The Second: The are the quickest of people to revive after a calamity." He went on the mention another two characteristics and added a fifth.[1] The people of knowledge commented that `Amr ibn al `Aas did not intend to praise the Romans, Christians and disbelievers by his statement, no. He wanted to clarify to the Muslims that the reason behind Romans remaining until the establishment of the Hour and the fact that they would be the most of people, is because when a calamity befalls them they are the most forbearing of people. They have enough forbearance to enable them to look into affairs and rectify them in order to avoid destruction and avoid the destruction of their allies. This is the summary of what Al Ubbee and as Sanoosee said in their explanation to Saheeh Muslim[2]. This is a pleasant indication, because the Prophet stated that the hour will not be established until Romans are the most numerous of people. Why? `Amr ibn al `Aas said: "Because they have four attributes: the first, (and this is the one that concerns us) is that they are the most forbearing of people at times of Fitnah." Meaning that when times change, or when Fitan arise, they are forbearing, they are not hasty, they do not anger, so that they can deliver themselves and their allies from Fitan. They know that if Fitan arise, they would reach them, and because of this characteristic, they would remain the most numerous of people until the hour is established. This is why I am amazed at why we do not act upon this characteristic that that `Amr ibn al `Aass praised the Romans for having, while we are more rightful in practicing every good.
Footnotes [1] The remainder of the Hadeeth: "...They are the most likely of people to return after escaping. They are the kindest of people to their poor, their weak and their orphaned, and a beautiful fifth characteristic; they are the furthest of people from oppressing their kings." Muslim [Note: In another narration: "...the most informed of people during Fitnah..." which an Nawawee explained to mean that they are the most informed about the ways of rectifying and emerging from Fitnah.] [2] Al Ubbee stated in explanation of this Hadeeth: "The truthfulness of this Hadeeth has come to pass, for they are indeed the most numerous of people with the exception of Jooj and Ma-jooj. They have populated the areas between Syria all the way to the end of Spain [i.e all of west Europe], and the religion of Christianity has expanded more than any other nation has ever expanded [Note: With the exception of Islam as is evident in these times]. These praiseworthy characteristics that `Amr ibn al `Aass described them with, it maybe that the Romans were adorned by them during his time when he interacted with them, as for today, they have the filthiest of characteristics which are in contradiction to his description... [Note: Al Ubbee lived during the 9th Islaamic century coinciding with the 16th Gregorian century, his comments are according to their state at his time, Shaykh Saaleh aal ash Shaykhs comments are in light of the present day].
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