Fitnah from the East???

What is meant by fitnah from the East?

Each group makes its own interpretation of the fitnah that comes from the East.
Some parties, including among others, right away claim that the fitnah comes from Najd, Riyadh-Saudi. The fitnah itself was interpreted by them as the Wahhabi movement.

Generally, the ulama's of Ahlus Sunnah refer that the Najd (Highland) that was meant is Iraq. The country that is always stricken by fitnah, starting from the war among the Sahabahs, to the martyrdom of Husein Radhiyallahu 'anhu. In fact, even until today, it still continues to be unstable.

Regardless of the difference of opinions and intentions, let's try to correlate the hadiths of Rasulullah about this issue, perhaps we would understand a bit.

First: The Fitnah of Dajjal

Dajjal was mentioned near Rasulullah (saws) so he said: "Verily, the fitnah of some of you is more fearful to me than the fitnah of Dajjal, and no one can be safe from the storms of the fitnah before the fitnah of Ad-Dajjal except that he will also be surely safe from the fitnah after it (fitnah of Dajjal). And there is no fitnah created since the existence if this world –be it minor of major- except that it is for (facing) the fitnah of Ad-Dajjal." (Imam Ahmad, no. 22215)

Note: Before the fitnah of Dajjal, there has been a lot of fitnah that emerged from Iran-Iraq. In fact most of the deviated sects were developed in Iraq, such as: Shi'ah, Khawarij, Jahmiah, Mu'tazilah, Qadariyah and Murji'ah.

Second: The Fitnah of Dajjal Coming From The East

“Al-Masih Dajjal will appear from the east, heading towards Medina, until it reaches (the area) behind (the mount of) 'Uhud. Afterwards the Angels will (force him to) turn his face towards al-Sham, and there he will perish.” (Imam Ahmad)

Third: What is meant by East is Ishfahan-Khurasan-Iran

“Dajjal will appear in the midst of the Jews of Isfahan until he reached Madinah, he will stop at its border, at that time Madinah has 7 gates, each gate is guarded by 2 Angels, so the inhabitants of Madinah who are malicious will join Dajjal, until when he reaches the gate of Ludd, Isa alaihis salam descends and then kills him, and after that Isa alaihis will live in the world for 40 years as a just leader and wise judge.” (Imam Ahmad)

Fourth: Dajjal Will Pass By Najd On Its Way To Madinah

"O Allah! Bless our Sham and our Yemen". People said, "Our Najd as well". The Prophet (saws) again said, "O Allah! Bless our Sham and Yemen". They said again, "Our Najd as well". On that the Prophet (saws) said, "There will appear earthquakes and afflictions, and from there will come out the side of the head of Satan." (Bukhari)

Note: Until this moment there has been no earthquake and affliction in Riyadh-Najd. On the contrary, Iran has always been hit by earthquakes and afflictions. Iraq has also never been hit by earthquake, however affliction continues to happen.

Temporary Conclusion

Therefore, if all these Ahadith are correlated, then the conclusion is that: The Fitnah of Dajjal emerges from the East, namely Ishfahan-Iran. And then it spreads to the whole world, and moves towards al-Haramain from Najd, through Basrah-Iraq.

If there is time, please grab a map or globe of the world and drag a straight line towards the East from the city of Madinah. Please make a note of what city and country are passed along the line. And prove if it is true that Isfahan–Iran is located in the East of the city of Madinah.
The map shows that Iran and Iraq are both located in the East of the Masjid Nabawi-Madinah, so is a part of the today's Najd.
Note: This is just a personal temporary conclusion. May Allah give us hidayah to know its truth.

PROTECTING ONE'S SELF FROM THE FITNAH OF DAJJAL

1. Holding tight to the religion of Islam and equipping oneself with iman, getting acquainted with the holy Names of Allah and His attributes, where there is none associated therein.

2. Beseeching protection from the fitnah of Dajjal, especially during solat. A number hadiths about this had been narrated.
Imam Muslim rahimahullah narrated from Abu Hurairah (ra) he said, “Rasulullah (saws) said:
إِذَا تَشَهَّدَ أَحَدُكُمْ؛ فَلْيَسْتَعِذْ بِاللهِ مِنْ أَرْبَعٍ؛ يَقُوْلُ: اَللّهُمَّ إِنِّـى أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيْحِ الدَّجَّالِ.
 'If any one of you is in tashahhud, ask Allah for protection from four things, by saying, ‘Ya Allah, I seek refuge to thee from the torment of Hell, the torment of the grave, the fitnah of the life and death, and from the evil of the fitnah of Dajjal.'”

3. Memorizing and reciting some verses of the Surah al-Kahfi.
“Whoever memorizes the first ten verses of surah al-Kahfi, he will be protected from Dajjal.” (Muslim)
“If anyone among you meets him, then recite to him the beginning of surah al-Kahfi.” (Muslim)

4. Running away and avoiding Dajjal. 
“Whoever hears of the Dajjal's arrival, then let him stay away from him. By Allah, verily someone approaches him when he considers that he is a believer, and then he follows him because of the many accompanying shubhat, or when shubhats are accompanying him.” (Abu Dawud)

5. From now on, avoid the religion of the Shi'ahs and Jews, as well as their culture and ideology.
Because the Jews are the followers of Dajjal. Whereas, the 12^th imam awaited by the Shi'ahs since 1200's years ago is Dajjal.