The Hadith: 'Woe to the Arabs from an evil that has approached'

Q 3: “Woe to the Arabs from an evil that has approached.” Is this a Sahih (authentic) Hadith?

A: “Woe to the Arabs from an evil that has approached.” This sentence is part of a Hadith related by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith, Kitab Al-Fitan (Book of Trials), Chapter on (the Prophet’s statement: “Woe to the Arabs from an evil that has approached.” The Hadith is as follows: It was narrated on the authority of Malik ibn Isma`il from Ibn `Uyaynah from Al-Zuhry from `Urwah from Zaynab bint Um Salamah from Um Habibah from Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) got up from his sleep with a flushed red face and was saying, “La ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah). Woe to the Arabs from an evil that has approached! Today a hole this big has been opened in the barrier of Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog)” (Sufyan made a circle with his thumb and forefinger to illustrate this). It was asked, “Shall we be destroyed even though there are righteous people among us?” He said, “Yes, if evil becomes widespread.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.