[Machine] He heard the Prophet ﷺ say, "Islam started as something strange and it will return to being strange once again, so blessed are the strangers." It was said, "O Messenger of Allah, who are the strangers?" He replied, "Those who correct themselves when the people have become corrupt." It was also said, "And who are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "The faith will retreat to Medina just as the snake retreats to its hole." It was also said, "And who are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "They will protect Islam in the area between the two mosques just as the snake guards its hole."  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ بَدَأَ الْإِسْلَامُ غَرِيبًا ثُمَّ يَعُودُ غَرِيبًا كَمَا بَدَأَ فَطُوبَى لِلْغُرَبَاءِ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَمَنِ الْغُرَبَاءُ؟ قَالَ الَّذِينَ يُصْلِحُونَ إِذَا فَسَدَ النَّاسُ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَيَنْحَازَنَّ الْإِيمَانُ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ كَمَا يَحُوزُ السَّيْلُ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَيَأْرِزَنَّ الْإِسْلَامُ إِلَى مَا بَيْنَ الْمَسْجِدَيْنِ كَمَا تَأْرِزُ الْحَيَّةُ إِلَى جُحْرِهَا