Question
Is there any Hadith together with its authenticity which says:
Start thinking about yourself and not people when four things happen to pass;
1) Widespread greed
2) People following their desire
3) People stubborn/proud about their view
4) People giving priority of Dunya over Din
Answer
You are probably referring to the following narration:
Abu Umayyah Ash Sha’bani says, “I came to Sayyiduna Abu Tha’labah Al Khushani (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and asked him, ‘What is the explanation of this verse?’ He said: ‘Which verse?’ I said, The verse: ‘O believers! You are accountable for none but yourselves. Anyone who has gone astray cannot harm you if you are on the right way’ (Surah Al Maidah, Verse: 105). Abu Tha’labah Al Khushani (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, ‘By Allah, you have asked someone who is well informed regarding this, for I have asked also asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [regarding the explanation of this Verse]. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Continue doing good and abstaining from evil [and enjoining good and forbidding evil] until such a time where you see greed that is obeyed, desires that are followed, and the world preferred [over the Hereafter/duties of Din], and everyone being amazed/conceited with his own view [without proper research], then at this point you should only be concerned about yourself and leave the common folk. For verily ahead of you are such [difficult] days, wherein staying steadfast on Din will be like holding onto burning cinders. Those that do good deeds in those days will receive the reward of fifty people who carry out deeds like you. ‘Abdullah ibn Mubarak (rahimahullah) further states (from another teacher), It was again asked, O Rasulullah! Will they receive the reward of fifty people like them or fifty of us? Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: ‘Fifty of you!’”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3058 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4341)
Authenticity
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has declared the above narration as sound (hasan). Hafiz Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has authenticated the narration (sahih).
(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 385)
Note: The above narration explains the number of reward that those who hold on to their Din in times of great fitnah, trials and tribulations will attain. This does not imply that they will be greater than the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum).
(Refer: Tuhfatul Ahwadhi)
Also see here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar