In this Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has warned the ummah that close to Qiyaamah, the fitnahs will increase and intensify. The deeni condition of the Muslims, in general, will be on a decline, and the environment will be filled with things tempting and inviting people towards haraam and evil. During that critical period, it will be extremely difficult for a person to remain firm and steadfast upon his deen and tread upon the sunnah.

However, just as the challenges will be greater at that time, the reward for enduring, persevering and remaining steadfast upon deen and the sunnah will also be much greater.

In another Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) explained the immense virtue for people who remain steadfast upon deen during the time of fitnah.  Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The person who carries out good deeds at that time (of fitnah) will receive the reward of fifty people who carry out the same good deeds (at other times).”

When the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) heard this Hadith from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they asked, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Will his reward be equivalent to the reward of fifty people of that era who carry out the same good deeds?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “No, his reward will be equivalent to the reward of fifty people among you (the Sahaabah) who carry out the same good deeds.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #4341)

Note:

Indeed, the reward being multiplied for those who remain firm and steadfast upon deen during the time of fitnah is indeed a very great favor of Allah Ta‘ala upon this ummah.

The Ulama explain that the multiplication is in respect to the quantity of the reward being multiplied, and not the quality. This is on account of the fact that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “If any of you (the ummah) has to spend gold equivalent to the mountain of Uhud in sadaqah (charity), it will not even equal the reward of one mudd (a unit of measurement equivalent to approximately 800g) or even half a mudd of grain which any Sahaabi spends in sadaqah.” (Saheeh Ibnu Hibbaan #6994)