Chapter Three: The Signs of the Hour

 Chapter Three: The Signs of the Hour
Prologue
Section One: The Meaning of the Signs of the Hour
Section Two: The Order and Sequence of the Major Signs of the Hour
Section Three: The Major Signs of the Hour indicative of its Nearness
Section Four: The Signs of the Hour indicative of its Imminence

Prologue
Firstly: General fundamental principles regarding the Hour
1. The Hour is undoubtedly approaching, just as Allah says:
]إِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌ]
Sura Ta–Ha; (20):15
]Meaning: Verily, the Hour is coming.]

2. The Hour is near, just as Allah –the Almighty– says:
]ٱقۡتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلۡقَمَرُ]
Sura al–Qamar; (54):1
]Meaning: The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has cleft asunder.]

3. No one knows when the Hour will occur except Allah.
He –the Almighty– said:
]يَسۡ‍َٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلسَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرۡسَىٰهَاۖ قُلۡ إِنَّمَا عِلۡمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّيۖ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقۡتِهَآ إِلَّا هُوَۚ]
Sura al–A’raf; (7):187
]Meaning: They ask you (O Muhammad), about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say, "Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None can reveal its time but He.]

4. The Hour is from the knowledge of the unseen and believing in it constitutes part of having belief in the unseen.

5. It is not permissible to attempt to determine when the Hour will occur.

6. The Hour has signs which indicate its nearness and advent.

Secondly: The correct stance to be had in relation to the signs of the Hour:
We must believe in what the texts mention regarding the Hour, just as we must not overburden ourselves by seeking to explain them in light of current affairs.

Rather we leave reality to explain their meaning. In other words, their occurrence as mentioned by the texts of the Islamic legislation is what explains them. This ensures that we do not try and guess the unseen or peruse that which we have no knowledge of.

By adopting this stance, we are guaranteed safety and success, and in doing so, we adhere to the way of the pious predecessors who believed in such texts and transmitted them to us accurately and truthfully, without introducing personal opinion or conjecture in applying them or in determining their chronological order.

Similarly, in doing so, we are saved from what some people have fallen into – namely: they attempt to relate the texts of the legislation regarding the end of the world and the signs of the Last Hour to the modern world, basing occurrences on textual evidence. This has resulted in many great tragedies and much transgression.

In summary:
we must believe in the textual evidences in relation to this matter without explaining them in light of present occurrences.[570]

Thirdly: Believing in the signs of the Hour does not mean we are idle and leave off taking the means:
The signs of the Last Hour are part of Allah’s comprehensive, universal will, and we are commanded by the Islamic legislation to fulfil our religious duties such as: obeying Allah; striving in His cause; seeking knowledge; calling to Him; enjoining the good and forbidding the evil and enduring any difficulties encountered in doing any of the aforementioned.

This is the correct methodology – contrary to what some ignorant, jobless people foolishly claim: that the appearance of signs such as the coming of the Mahdi or the descent of Jesus –peace be upon him– are the start of laziness and inactivity.

Rather the texts indicate that such signs signal the beginning of conquest, fighting, and exertion for the cause of making triumphant the word of Allah – the Mighty and Majestic.[571]

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(570) See: ‘al–Mahdi Haqiqah Laa Khurafah’ of Shaikh Muhammad bin Ismaaeel (p. 181).

(571) ibid.

Section One: The Meaning of the Signs of the Hour
Although Allah –the Mighty and Majestic– has not informed His servants the precise time the Hour will occur, He informed them of its signs which indicate its nearness.

He called them ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah (Signs of the Hour)’
]فَهَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةٗۖ فَقَدۡ جَآءَ أَشۡرَاطُهَاۚ فَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمۡ إِذَا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ ذِكۡرَىٰهُمۡ]
Sura Muhammad; (47):18
]Meaning: Do they then await anything other than the Hour, that it should come upon them suddenly? But some of its signs have already come, and when it actually is upon them, then what good to them, when it has come, will be their reminder?]

What follows is a mention of some matters pertaining to these signs.
Firstly: Defining the term ‘Ashrat (signs)’:
The word ‘Ashrat (signs)’ is plural and comes from the root ‘sha–ra–ta’.

Ibn Faris –may Allah have mercy upon him– said:
“The [Arabic] letters ‘Sheen’, ‘Raa’, and ‘Taa’ form a root which means: a mark or indication, and the like.”[572]

Ibn Manthur –may Allah have mercy upon him– said:
“The word ‘Sha–rat (sign)’ means: an indication; the plural of which is ‘Ashrat (signs)’.”[573]

Secondly: Defining the term ‘as–Sa’ah (the Hour)’:
1. The linguistic definition of the term ‘as–Sa’ah (the Hour):
The origin of the word ‘Sa’ah (hour)’ comes from the root ‘Sa–wa–‘a (time).’[574]

The word ‘Sa’ah (hour)’ has various meanings – all of which revolve around time, a measure of it, or the present moment.

al–Qurtubi –may Allah have mercy upon him– said:
“‘as–Sa’ah (the Hour)’ is a term used to describe an indefinite period of time.

Customarily it is a basic division of time and refers to one out of twenty–four parts of a day.

The Arabs say:
‘I will do such–and–such this hour’ and ‘This hour I am doing such–and–such’ to designate the present or immediate future.

The definite article ‘as–Sa’ah (the hour)’ actually refers to the present moment and is synonymous with the word ‘al–Aan (now)’.”[575]

The technical definition of the word ‘as–Sa’ah (the Hour):
It is the time when the Resurrection will occur.[576]

Thirdly: Why is the Hour so–called?
Either due to its imminence, as every future event is near in the grand scheme of things; or due to the swiftness of the reckoning on that day; or due to the suddenness of its advent; or due to the speed which the souls will re–join their respective bodies on that day; and other reasons are also mentioned.[577]

Fourthly: Defining the term ‘Signs of the Hour’:
They are its portents and indications that foretell its coming, and indicate its nearness and imminence, and signal the end of this worldly life.[578]

Fifthly: The categories of ‘as–Sa’ah (the Hour)’:
1. The Minor Hour, which is the death of an individual. Whoever dies has entered into the afterlife and his Hour has been established.
2. The Intermediate Hour, which is the death of a generation.
3. The Major Hour, which is when the people will be resurrected from their graves before being judged and recompensed. [579]

Sixthly: What is meant when the term ‘as–Sa’ah (the Hour)’ appears in the Quran?
It refers to the Major Hour.[580]

Seventhly: The signs of the Hour can be categorised into two groups:
1. Minor signs:
These signs long precede the Hour and are ordinary occurrences; such as:
the death of the scholars; the appearance of ignorance; the consumption of alcohol; competing to build lofty structures, and the like. It is possible that some minor signs may accompany major signs.

2. Major signs:
These are great, extraordinary events that occur near to the time of the Hour; such as:
the appearance of the Antichrist; the descent of Jesus; the emergence of Gog and Magog; and the rising of the Sun from the West.[581]

Eighthly: Why are we informed of the Signs of the Hour and what is the wisdom behind their occurrence prior to the Hour?
al–Qurtubi –may Allah have mercy upon him– said:
“The wisdom behind the signs occurring prior to the Hour and the people being informed of such is: to awaken the people from their heedlessness and encourage them to repent and turn to Allah before it is too late. They must act appropriately by renouncing this worldly life and preparing for the Hour promised to them. And Allah knows best.”[582]

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(572) ‘Mu’jam Maqayis al–Lughah’ of Ibn Faris (3/260).

(573) ‘Lisan al–Arab’ (7/328).

(574) See: ‘Mu’jam Maqayis al–Lughah’ (3/116).

(575) ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (p. 245).

(576) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ of Shaikh Dr. Yusuf al–Wabil (p. 73).

(577) See: ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (pp. 245–6).

(578) See: ‘Mu’jam Maqayis al–Lughah’ (3/360); ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (p. 709); ‘Lisan al–Arab’ (7/328); & ‘Fath al–Bari’ (13/79).

(579) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (pp. 74–5).

(580) Ibid (p. 75).

(581) See: ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (pp. 709–10); & ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (p. 77).

(582) ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (p. 709).

Section Two: The Order and Sequence of the Major Signs of the Hour
Firstly: The order of the Major Signs of the Hour:
The Prophetic narrations that mention the major signs of the Hour enumerate them in an unordered fashion; and the fact they are mentioned in a particular order does not necessitate that such is their actual chronological order. We know this is the case because the conjunction ‘waw (and)’ – which does not connote chronology – is used. Moreover, their order differs between the various narrations.[583]

Here are some narrations that list the Major Signs of the Hour, either exhaustively or partially.

Imam Muslim reports in his Sahih (authentic collection of hadith) a narration on the authority of Hudayfah bin Usayd al–Ghifari that he said:
Allah's Messenger came to us while we were in discussion. He said: What are you discussing? They said. “We are discussing the Last Hour.” Thereupon he said: “It will not come until you see ten signs beforehand.” He then mentioned the smoke; the Antichrist; the Beast; the rising of the sun from the west; the descent of Jesus the son of Mary –peace be upon him–; Gog and Magog; and three cataclysms[584]: one in the east, one in the west and one in the Arabian Peninsula – following which a great fire shall appear in Yemen and drive the people to the place of their assembly.[585]

Similarly, Muslim reports the same narration with a variant wording, on the authority of Abu Sarihah, Hudayfah bin Usayd that he said:
‘The Prophet –peace be upon him– was in a room and we were beneath him, he looked upon us and said to us: “What are you discussing?” We said: “The Hour.” Thereupon he said: “The Hour shall not occur until ten signs appear: a cataclysm in the East, a cataclysm in the West, and a cataclysm in the Arabian Peninsula, the smoke, the Antichrist, the beast of the earth, Gog and Magog, the rising of the sun from the west and the great fire which shall originate from the lower part of Aden, driving the people out.”

In another narration he mentioned the tenth sign as being the descent of Jesus the son of Mary.

In yet another narration it mentions:
the blowing of a violent gale which will blow the people into the ocean.[586]

Muslim also reports a narration on the authority of Abu Hurayrah –may Allah be pleased with him– that the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said:
“Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: the rising of the sun from the west; or the smoke; or the Antichrist, or the beast; or that which will happen to each of you individually [i.e. death]; or the general affair [i.e. the establishment of the Hour].”[587]

In a variant narration it states:
“Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: the Antichrist, the smoke, the beast of the earth, the rising of the sun from the west, the general affair that concerns everyone [i.e. the establishment of the Hour], and that which is specific to each of you [i.e. death].”[588]

There also occurs a narration on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr –may Allah be pleased with him– that he said:
I memorised a hadith from the Messenger of Allah which I have not yet forgotten: I heard the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– saying: “The first sign to appear will be the rising of the sun from the west and the emergence of the beast before the people at (the time of) forenoon. Whichever of these two happens first, the second one shall follow immediately after that.[589]

It is able to deduce from these narrations that some of the signs are ordered and shall appear after others, due to the fact they are separated by the conjunction ‘or’ in one narration, whereas in the other, the conjunction ‘and’ is used. However, neither of these conjunctions connote chronology.[590]

Due to this reason, the scholars of Islam differed regarding the exact order of the Signs of the Hour. Ibn Hajar –may Allah have mercy upon him– reconciled between the narrations stating the Antichrist as the first sign and the narrations mentioning the rising of the sun from the west as the first sign by saying: “That which appears to be most correct when analysing all of the narrations is: the first major sign causing upheaval on most of the earth is the emergence of the Antichrist. This upheaval shall end with the death of Jesus – peace be upon him.

As for the sun rising from the west then that is the first major sign causing upheaval in the celestial world, and this upheaval shall end with the onset of the Hour.

It is also possible that the emergence of the beast occurs on the same day that the sun rises from the west.”

He went on to say:
“The wisdom behind that is: when the sun rises from the west, the door to repentance is closed. Then the beast emerges in order to distinguish the believers from the disbelievers and thus the wisdom in closing the door to repentance is achieved.

The first sign announcing the imminence of the Hour is the great fire which drives the people to their place of gathering.”[591]

at–Teebi –may Allah have mercy upon him– says:
“The Signs are indicative of the Hour – either of its proximity or of its imminence.

Signs indicative of its proximity include:
The Antichrist, the descent of Jesus, Gog and Magog, and the cataclysms.

Signs which indicate its imminence include:
the smoke, the rising of the sun from the west, the emergence of the Beast, and the great fire which gathers the people.”[592]

This is a good and precise categorisation which we shall follow in the next section when discussing the Major Signs of the Hour in further detail.

Secondly: The successive appearance of the Major Signs of the Hour:
Regardless of the chronological order in which the Signs will occur, one must know that when the first of them appears, the rest will follow in quick succession – almost without a break, just like the beads in a necklace when it breaks.[593]

at–Tabarani reports in ‘al–Awsat’ a narration on the authority of Abu Hurayrah –may Allah be pleased with him– that the Prophet –peace be upon him– said:
“The signs shall appear one after the other like the beads on a string follow one another (when the string is cut).”[594]

Imam Ahmad reports a narration on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr who said:
The Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said: “The Signs are like beads on a string. When the thread is cut, they fall one after another.”[595]

What is apparent –and Allah knows best– is that the signs in question are the Major Signs of the Hour. These narrations indicate that they will occur extremely close to each other in time.[596]

Ibn Hajr –may Allah have mercy upon him– said:
“It is authentically established in a narration reported by Ahmad that the Major Signs are like a necklace – which, when it breaks the beads fall quickly [one after the other].”[597]

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(583) See: ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (p. 739); & ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (p. 239).

(584) Wherein the Earth will cave in and swallow everything on its surface, engulfing it.

(585) Reported by Muslim (no. 2901).

(586) Reported by Muslim (no. 2901).

(587) Reported by Muslim (no. 2947).

(588) Ibid.

(589) Reported by Muslim (no. 2941).

(590) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (p. 142).

(591) See: ‘Fath al–Bari’ (11/353).

(592) ‘Fath al–Bari’ (11/352).

(593) See: ‘al–Qiyamah as–Sughra’ (pp. 217–8); & ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (p. 245).

(594) al–Haythami said: “Reported by at–Tabarani in ‘al–Awsat’. Its narrators are the same as the narrators of the Sahih (i.e. al–Bukhari and Muslim) – apart from Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hanbal and Dawud az–Zahrani, both of whom are reliable.” ‘Majma’ az–Zawaid’ (7/331) Al–Albani graded it as authentic in ‘Sahih al–Jami’ (no. 3222).

(595) ‘al–Musnad’ (7040) with the scholarly notes of Ahmad Shakir who said regarding it: ‘Its chain of narration is authentic.”

(596) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (p. 246).

(597) See: ‘Fath al–Bari’ (13/77).

Section Three: The Major Signs of the Hour indicative of its Nearness
The Appearance of the Antichrist
Firstly: Defining the term ‘the Antichrist’:
He is the false Messiah who will emerge at the end of time and will test the people with the signs and miracles he will be granted; such as: bringing down rain, reviving dead land by bringing forth vegetation, and the like.

Secondly: A description of the Antichrist:
The Antichrist is a human being who is described by various Prophetic narrations so that people are aware of him and so they are warned from his evil. Thus, when he emerges the believers will recognise him and will not be confused by him. Rather they will be acquainted with his reality.

His traits distinguish him from the rest of humans, and therefore only the ignorant people doomed to wretchedness are fooled by him.

Some of his attributes are:
He is a young man with reddish complexion; he is short, bow–legged, curly–haired, wide–necked and has a broad forehead. He is blind in his right eye which is neither prominent nor sunken and will look like a floating grape. His left eye is covered by a thick piece of flesh, and written between his eyes the letters ‘Kaaf, Faa, Raa (disbelief)’ will be written either separately or altogether as ‘Kafir (disbeliever)’ which every Muslim will be able to read, literate and illiterate alike. Another of his attributes is that he will be sterile and will be unable to reproduce.

These are some of his attributes as mentioned by various narrations.[598]

Thirdly: The place from which he will emerge:
The Antichrist will emerge from Khorasan in the East, among the Jews of Isfahan.

Fourthly: The speed with which he travels throughout the Earth:
After the appearance of the Antichrist, he will travel throughout the whole world, not leaving a single place except for Makkah and Madinah which he will not be able to enter as they are guarded by angels.

Fifthly: The claims of the Antichrist:
The Antichrist will initially claim prophethood, after which he will claim lordship and the right to be worshipped.

Sixthly: His goal:
The Antichrist will seek to put people to trial and divert them from their religion. He shall call the people to believe that he is the Lord worthy of worship because of the signs and miracles he will perform.

Seventhly: The magnitude of the trial of the Antichrist:
The trial of the Antichrist will be the severest of all trials and tribulations ever to occur – from the creation of Adam until the establishment of the Hour. This is due to the great miracles Allah will enable him to perform which will cause amazement and bewilderment.

It is authentically reported that he has with him a paradise and a hell, however his paradise is a hell and his hell is a paradise. He will also have rivers of water and mountains of bread at his disposal. When he commands the sky to rain, it will rain, and when he commands the Earth to sprout, it will sprout.

It is also reported that the treasures of the Earth will follow him and that he will travel at great speed – as fast as wind–driven rain; that both animals and inanimate objects will obey him; that he will kill a young man before resurrecting him; as well as performing other miracles authentically established in various narrations.

It is for this reason that all of the prophets warned their peoples against the trial of the Antichrist in general, and our Prophet –peace be upon him– was the most severe in warning against him in particular.

There occurs in Sahih Muslim a narration on the authority of Imran bin Husayn –may Allah be pleased with him– that he said:
‘I heard the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– saying: “From the time of the creation of Adam until the Hour begins, there will not be a bigger creation than the Antichrist.”’[599]

Sahih al–Bukhari reports a narration on the authority of Anas –may Allah be pleased with him– “There has not been a Prophet except that he warned his nation of that one–eyed liar. Indeed, he is blind in one eye, however your Lord is not blind. On his forehead there will be written: ‘Kafir (disbeliever)’.”[600]

Eighthly: The duration of his presence on the Earth:
The Antichrist will remain on Earth for forty days: the first day will be as long as a year, the second day will be as long as a month, the third day will be as long as a week, and the rest of the days will be as long as the days that we know. According to the days we are accustomed with, this corresponds to a total duration of fourteen months and about fourteen days approximately.

In a narration of an–Nawwas bin Sam’an –may Allah be pleased with him– the Companions questioned the Prophet –peace be upon him– regarding the Antichrist, asking:
‘O Messenger of Allah! How long will he stay on the earth?’ He  said: “For forty days: one day will be like a year, and one day like a month, and one day like a week, and the rest of the days would be like your days.”[601]

Ninthly: The death of the Antichrist:
The death of the Antichrist will occur at the hands of Jesus the son of Mary –peace be upon him– as is indicated by authentic narrations.

After his appearance, the Antichrist will travel the entire Earth except for Makkah or Madinah. He will gain many followers and his trial will become widespread such that only a minority of the believers will be saved.

At this point Jesus –peace be upon him– will descend from Heaven and land on the minaret in the east of Damascus. The believing servants of Allah will gather around Jesus who will lead them to the Antichrist while he is on his way to Jerusalem.

Jesus will intercept the Antichrist at the Gate of Lud and upon seeing him, the Antichrist will begin to melt like salt in water. Jesus –peace be upon him– will then say to him: “I must deliver you a blow which you shall not escape.” He will then catch the Antichrist and kill him with a spear. The followers of the Antichrist will flee, pursued by the believers who will kill them. The trees and the rocks will say: ‘O Muslim! O servant of Allah! There is a Jew behind me, so kill him!’ Only the boxthorn tree will not do so, as it is from the trees of the Jews.”[602]

The Descent of Jesus the Son of Mary –peace be upon him– at the End of Time
It has already been mentioned that from the Major Signs of the Hour is the descent of Jesus the son of Mary – peace be upon him. The following is a more detailed discussion regarding the event of his coming.

Firstly: The description of Jesus – peace be upon him:
The authentic narrations inform us that he is a man of average height: neither tall nor short. He has a reddish complexion as if he had just come out of a bathroom, a sturdy build, a wide chest and long, straight hair that falls between his shoulders.[603]

Secondly: The recurrent mention of Jesus’ descent from Heaven by the authentic texts:
It is possible to conclude from the texts mentioning Jesus –peace be upon him– that he shall certainly descend. The evidences in this regard are conveyed by so many narrators that it is not conceivable that they could have agreed upon a lie and are therefore accepted as unquestionable in their veracity. Thus, disbelieving in them constitutes disbelieving in the Messenger.

Rather it is tantamount to disbelieving in the Noble Quran which indicates the descent of Jesus – peace be upon him.[604]

Some of the evidences proving his coming descent have preceded.

Further proof occurs in the saying of Allah – the Almighty:
]وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ]
Sura az–Zukhruf; (43):57
]Meaning: And when the son of Mary was presented as an example, immediately your people laughed aloud.]

Until His saying:
]وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلۡمٞ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيم]
Sura az–Zukhruf; (43):57
]Meaning: And indeed, he shall be knowledge for the coming of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is the straight path.]

i.e. the descent of Jesus –peace be upon him– before the Day of Resurrection is a sign of the proximity of the Hour.

According to another mode of recital, the same verse reads:
]وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلۡمٞ لِّلسَّاعَةِ]

]Meaning: And indeed, he shall be a sign for the coming of the Hour.]

i.e. An indication and a signal for the coming of the Hour. This was mode of recital of Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and other scholars of exegesis.[605]

Imam Ahmad reports a narration with a chain to Ibn Abbas –may Allah be pleased with both of them– regarding the explanation of the foregoing verse:
]وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلۡمٞ لِّلسَّاعَةِ]
]Meaning: And indeed, he shall be a sign for the coming of the Hour.]

He said:
“It refers to the coming of Jesus the son of Mary –peace be upon him– before the Day of Resurrection.”[606]

Evidence from the Prophetic traditions indicative of the coming of Jesus –peace be upon him– include the narration reported by al–Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah –may Allah be pleased with him– that the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said: “By Him in Whose hand is my soul, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break the crosses, kill swine and abolish the tax paid by non–Muslim subjects to their Muslim rulers. There will be such an abundance of wealth such that no–one will accept it, and a single prostration to Allah will be better than the whole world and whatever it contains.”

Abu Hurayrah added:
‘You may recite if you wish:
]وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ شَهِيدٗا]
Sura an–Nisa•; (4):159
]Meaning: And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in Jesus before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them.]

This is Abu Hurayrah’s interpretation of this verse–may Allah be pleased with him–; namely:
some of the people of the Book shall believe in Jesus –peace be upon him– before his death, when he descends at the end of time – as has preceded.[607]

Thirdly: A description of his descent:
After the appearance of the Antichrist and the spread of his corruption on Earth, Allah will send Jesus –peace be upon him– so he will descend near the white minaret east of Damascus in the region of Greater Syria. He will be wearing two ochre–dyed[608] garments and placing his hands on the wings of two angels. When he lowers his head it will drip water, and when he raises it beads like pearls will fall from it. Every disbeliever who smells his breath shall die, and his breath shall reach as far as his eye can see.

Jesus will descend amongst the victorious group who fight in the way of the truth while they are waiting to kill the Antichrist. His descent will be at the time of the dawn prayer and he will pray behind the commander of the group after it is said to him: ‘Come and lead us in prayer’ to which he –peace be upon him– shall reply: “No, you are leaders over each other. This is an honour from Allah for this nation.”[609]

Fourthly: The dawn of an era of bliss, prosperity, peace and blessings:
The rule of Jesus –peace be upon him– will be a time of peace, safety, prosperity and blessings as Allah will send down plentiful rain, the earth will produce crops and fruits, and there will be an abundance of wealth. Furthermore, hatred, hostility and envy will all disappear.

In the long narration of an–Nawwas bin Sam’an it states:
“Then Allah will send upon them a rain which no house of hide or mud will bear. The earth will be washed, leaving it like a mirror. Then it will be said to the earth: “Bring forth your fruits and restore your blessings." On that day, a whole group of people would eat from a pomegranate and seek shade under its skin. Milk will be blessed such that a large group of people will be sufficed by the milking of one camel; and a tribe will be sufficed by the milking of one cow; and an entire family will be sufficed by the milking of one goat.”[610]

There are many other narrations in this regard, however, for the sake of brevity we will suffice with the foregoing.[611]

Fifthly: The length of his stay on Earth:
Some narrations mention that he will remain for seven years while others mention forty years. Imam Muslim reports a narration on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr –may Allah be pleased with him– which states: “Allah will send Jesus the son of Mary. Then the people will remain for seven years not having any rancour between them. Then Allah will send a cool breeze from the direction of the region of Greater Syria to take the souls of everyone possessing an atom’s–weight worth of good or having true faith in their heart such that no–one will remain upon the face of the earth.”[612]

In another narration reported by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud, it states:
“He will remain on Earth for forty years, then he will die, and the Muslims will pray over him.”[613]

Both of these narrations are authentic which is problematic and may appear to be contradictory unless we interpret the narration mentioning seven years to mean the duration of his stay on earth after his descent from Heaven. Then if we add that to his stay upon Earth prior to his ascension to Heaven – which was thirty–three years according to the most famous saying. And Allah knows best.[614]

The Emergence of Gog and Magog
Believing in the emergence of Gog and Magog is an integral part of believing in the Last Day as it is from the Major Signs of the Hour.

Firstly: The origin of Gog and Magog:
They belong to the human race and are from the descendants of Adam and Eve.[615]

On the authority of Abdullah bin Amr that the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said:
“Gog and Magog are from the progeny of Adam. If they were to be sent upon the rest of mankind, they would spoil their livelihood. Not one of them shall die except that he leaves a thousand or more of his descendants behind.[616]

Secondly: Their description:
The narrations describe them as resembling their Turk and Mongol cousins. Their eyes are small, their noses are small and flattened, their hair is dark, their faces are wide and look like a hammered shield. They look similar to the Turks and are the same colour as them.[617]

The authentic narrations also inform us that they are strong men whom no–one can kill. In the narration of an–Nawwas bin Sam’an reported by ‘Sahih Muslim’ it mentions that Allah –the Almighty– will inform Jesus –peace be upon him– through revelation of the emergence of Gog and Magog and that nobody has the capacity to fight them. He will command him to move the believers from their path, saying: “Take My servants to safety at Mount Sinai.”[618]

Thirdly: Gog and Magog shall wreak havoc upon Earth:
When Gog and Magog emerge, great evils and severe tribulations shall occur at their hands. They shall be so numerous that after they emerge, they shall pass the Sea of Galilee and drink from it, and the last ones will say: “This lake used to contain water.”[619]

Ibn al–Arabi wrote:
“As for the emergence of Gog and Magog, then it shall occur after the descent of Jesus –peace be upon him– from Heaven. They are two disbelieving, corruptive and harmful peoples.”[620]

Fourthly: The Demise of Gog and Magog:
The annihilation of Gog and Magog will occur after Jesus –peace be upon him– kills the Antichrist, due to the blessing of his invocation. This is mentioned by the long narration of an–Nawwas bin Sam’an wherein the Prophet –peace be upon him– says: “Allah will send down revelation upon Jesus, saying: I have brought forth servants of mine whom no–one shall be able to kill, so take My servants to safety at Mount Sinai.

Allah will send Gog and Magog who will descend from every elevation. They will pass the Sea of Galilee and drink all its water such that when the last ones of them pass they will say: ‘There was once water here.’ The Prophet of Allah, Jesus, and his companions will be besieged to the extent that the head of an ox would be dearer to one of them than a hundred dinars are to one of you today.

The prophet of Allah –Jesus– and his companions will supplicate to Allah Who will send upon them maggots in their necks until they perish altogether. Then the prophet of Allah –Jesus– and his companions will come down and they will not even be able to find a handspan except it will be filled with their corpses and their stench. The prophet of Allah –Jesus– and his companions will invoke Allah again, and Allah will send birds like the necks of Bactrian camels who will carry and place them wherever Allah wills.” Reported by Muslim.

In a variant narration there is an addition after his saying:
‘There was once water here’: “Gog and Magog will walk until they reach the mountain of al–Khamar[621] hich is in Jerusalem, They will then say: ‘We have killed the inhabitants of the Earth, now let us kill the inhabitants of the Heavens.’ They will fire their arrows towards the sky and Allah will cause them to return to them besmeared with blood.”[622]

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(598) See, for example: ‘Sahih al–Bukhari’ (nos. 1882, 7132); Muslim (nos. 2940, 2942, 2942, 2944, 2945, 2946, 2947); & ‘Sunan Abi Dawud’ (11/443).

(599) Reported by Muslim (no. 2946).

(600) Reported by al–Bukhari (no. 1317).

(601) Reported by Muslim (no. 2937).

(602) See: ‘Sahih Muslim’ (no. 2937).

(603) See: ‘Sahih al–Bukhari’ (nos. 3437, 3438); & Muslim (no. 168).

(604) See: ‘al–Qiyamah as–Sughra’ (pp. 266–8); & ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ of al–Wabil (pp. 348–355).

(605) ‘Tafsir al–Qurtubi’ (16/105). Also see: ‘Tafsir at–Tabari’ (25/90–1).

(606) ‘al–Musnad’ (4/329) with the checking of Ahmad Shakir who said regarding it: ‘Its chain of narration is authentic.’

(607) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ of al–Wabil (p. 347).

(608) i.e. two garments dyed with kamala then with saffron. See: ‘Sharh an–Nawawi li Muslim’ (18/67).

(609) See: ‘Sahih al–Bukhari’ (no. 3449); & Muslim (no. 155).

(610) Reported by Muslim (no. 2937).

(611) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (pp. 361–3).

(612) Reported by Muslim (no. 2940).

(613) ‘Musnad al–Imam Ahmad’ with its complementary footnotes entitled ‘Muntakhab al–Kanz’. Ibn Hajr said regarding it: ‘Authentic’ (6/493). Also reported by ‘Sunan Abi Dawud’ (11/456) with its explanation ‘Awn al–Ma’bud’.

(614) See: ‘an–Nihayah – al–Fitan wal–Malahim’ of Ibn Kathir (1/146).

(615) See: ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (pp. 782–3).

(616) ‘Minhat al–Ma’bud’ (2/219). al–Hakim partially reported it (4/490) and commented, saying: ‘This narration is authentic according to the condition of the two scholars of hadith (Bukhari and Muslim) even though they did not report it.’ adh–Dhahabi was in agreement with him.

(617) See: ‘Musnad al–Imam Ahmad’ (5/271) with its footnotes, entitled: ‘Muntakhab al–Kanz’.

(618) Referencing has preceded.

(619) See: ‘ash–Shaykh Abdur–Rahman as–Sa’di wa Juhuduhu fil–Aqidah’ (pp. 253–4).

(620) ‘Aaridhatul–Ahwathi’ of Ibn al–Arabi (9/34).

(621) Name of a hill. The term ‘khamar’ signifies thick trees which conceal something from sight. See: ‘Sharh Sahih Muslim’ of an–Nawawi (18/71).

(622) Reported by Muslim (no. 2937).

Section Four: The Signs of the Hour indicative of its Imminence
The Smoke
The appearance of smoke near the end of time is from the major signs of the Hour established by the Quran and Prophetic traditions.[623]

Firstly: Quranic evidence proving the appearance of the Smoke: Allah –the Almighty– said:
]فَٱرۡتَقِبۡ يَوۡمَ تَأۡتِي ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٖ مُّبِينٖ ١٠ يَغۡشَى ٱلنَّاسَۖ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيم]

 Sura ad–Dukhan; (44):10
]Meaning: Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke. Covering the people, this is a painful torment.]

The scholars differ regarding what is meant by this smoke:
The first opinion: Some scholars hold that this smoke refers to the famine and hardships that befell the tribe of Quraysh after the Prophet –peace be upon him– invoked Allah against him when they did not answer his call. This led them to see a smoky haze in the sky.

This opinion was that of Ibn Mas’ud –may Allah be pleased with him– as well as a group of the pious predecessors.[624]

The second opinion:
The smoke being referred to is from the awaited signs which have not yet appeared but shall occur closer to the coming of the Hour. This was the opinion of Ibn Abbas as well as some of the Companions and their successors.[625]

Secondly: Evidence from Prophetic traditions proving the appearance of the Smoke:
Some narrations mentioning the smoke have preceded, such as the narration reported by Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said: “Hasten to do good deeds before the occurrence of six things: the Antichrist, the smoke…”[626]

In the narration of Hudayfah regarding the major signs of the Hour, it mentions: “And the smoke.”[627]

The Rising of the Sun from the West
The rising of the sun from its place of setting is another major sign of the Hour established by the Quran and Prophetic traditions.

Firstly: Evidence proving the Sun will rise from the West: Allah –the Almighty– says:
]يَوۡمَ يَأۡتِي بَعۡضُ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكَ لَا يَنفَعُ نَفۡسًا إِيمَٰنُهَا لَمۡ تَكُنۡ ءَامَنَتۡ مِن قَبۡلُ أَوۡ كَسَبَتۡ فِيٓ إِيمَٰنِهَا خَيۡرٗاۗ]

 Sura al–An’am; (6):158
]Meaning: The Day that some of the signs of your Lord do come no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he had not believed before nor earned through its faith some good.]

The authentic narrations indicate that what is meant by ‘some of the signs of your Lord’ is the rising of the sun from the west, and this is the view of majority of the scholars of exegesis.[628]

There occurs a narration in the two authentic collections of Prophetic traditions (Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah –may Allah be pleased with him– that the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said: “The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the West. When that happens and the people see it, they will all believe, and that is the time when it will not be of benefit for a soul to believe then, if it had not believed before.”[629]

Muslim reports a narration on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said: “Hasten to do good deeds before the occurrence of six things: the rising of the sun from the west…”[630]

Secondly: The reason Belief will not avail after the Sun rises from the West: al–Qurtubi –may Allah have mercy upon him– wrote:
“The scholars mention that the reason belief will not be of any benefit after the sun rises from the west is because the terror in the hearts of the people will extinguish all of the soul’s impulses and desires and cause every bodily strength to subside. Everyone will be in a near–death state due to their certainty of the proximity of the Day of Resurrection. All sources of temptation shall be cut off from them and they shall lose their inclinations. The repentance of a person in such a state will not be accepted just as the repentance of a dying person is not accepted.”[631]

The Beast
The appearance of the Beast is from the major signs of the Hour and is established by the Quran and Prophetic traditions.

Firstly: Evidence from the Quran: Allah –the Almighty– says:
]وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَهُمۡ دَآبَّةٗ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمۡ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُواْ بِ‍َٔايَٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ]

 Sura an–Naml; (27):82
[Meaning: And when the word befalls them, We shall bring out from the Earth a beast to them, saying that the people did not believe in Our verses with certainty.]

This noble verse clearly states that the Beast will emerge when mankind is in a state of corruption, having abandoned the commands of Allah and forsaken the true religion. Allah will then bring out a beast from the earth that will speak to them regarding that.

al–Qurtubi –may Allah have mercy upon him– wrote: “The scholars have said regarding Allah’s saying:
]وَقَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ]
Sura an–Naml; (27):82
]Meaning: The word befalls them.]

It means:
the threat has become binding upon them due to their excessive wickedness, disobedience and transgression, as well as their turning away from Allah’s signs and abandoning contemplation of them and their non–compliance to act according to them. Their sinfulness has reached the point where admonitions benefit them not, and reminders will not dissuade them from their misguidance.

Allah –the Mighty– says regarding the people when they reach that state:
]أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَهُمۡ دَآبَّةٗ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ]
]Meaning: We shall bring out from the Earth a beast to them.]

i.e. a beast possessing intellect and the ability to speak. This is so that the people are aware –and Allah knows best– that he is definitely a sign sent by Allah –the Almighty– because customarily animals do not possess intellect or the ability to speak.[632]

Secondly:
Evidence from Prophetic traditions proving the coming of the Beast: There is much evidence from Prophetic traditions in this regard, some of which has preceded, such as the narration of Abu Hurayrah –may Allah be pleased with him– that the Messenger of Allah –peace be upon him– said: “When three things occur faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or not derived any good from his faith: the rising of the sun from its place of setting, the Antichrist, and the Beast of the Earth.”[633]

Imam Ahmad also reports a narration on the authority of Abu Umamah –may Allah be pleased with him– which is traceable as being from the Prophet –peace be upon him– that he said: “The Beast will emerge and it will brand people on their noses, then they will continue to live with this mark such that a person will buy a camel and when he is asked: ‘From whom did you purchase it?’ he will reply: ‘From one of the branded people.”[634]

Thirdly: The place from which the Beast shall appear:
It is said: It will appear in the Great Mosque of Mecca; and it is said: It will appear thrice – the first time in a desert, the second time in a village, and the third time in the Great Mosque of Mecca.

There are various other opinions, most of which suggest that the Beast shall emerge from the sacred precincts of Mecca.[635]

Fourthly: The Mission of the Beast:
When the Great Beast appears, it shall mark both the believers and unbelievers.

As for the believers, their faces will brighten to the extent that they shine, and this will serve as a sign of their faith.

The disbelievers, however, will be branded on their noses which will serve as a sign of their disbelief.[636]

The Fire which will Gather the People
The appearance of the Great Fire is the last of the major signs of the Hour and the first of the signs indicating the imminent coming of the Hour.

Firstly: The place from which the Fire shall emerge:
Some narrations mention that the Fire shall emerge from the lower part of Aden in Yemen while others state it shall appear from the sea of Hadhramaut.

The narration of Hudhayfah bin Usayd reported by Muslim in his authentic collection when discussing the signs of the Hour includes the saying of the Prophet: “The last of them will be a fire which will emerge from Yemen and will drive the people to their place of gathering.”

In a variant wording it states:
“A fire will emerge from the lower part of Aden, driving the people.”[637]

Secondly: A description of how the Fire will gather the people:
After this Great Fire emerges from Yemen, it will spread throughout the Earth, driving the people to the gathering place.

People will be gathered in three droves:
The first group will each have a mount and be willing, satiated, and clothed.

The second group will sometimes walk and sometimes ride, sharing a camel between them.

The third group will be surrounded by the Fire which will drive them from behind to the gathering place. Those who straggle shall be devoured by the Fire.

All of this is mentioned in the authentic narrations.[638]

Thirdly: The Place of Gathering:
The people will be gathered at the end of time in the region of Greater Syria, as is indicated by the authentic narrations.[639]

Fourthly: The gathering will take place in the life of this World:
The gathering being referred to here is different to that which will take place after the people are resurrected from their graves.[640]

Prologue
Islamic legislation takes into account the imperfections of human beings and that which befalls them from heedlessness, shortcomings and weaknesses which result in them committing sin. Sin is from the greatest causes of calamities and punishment in this life and the Hereafter.

For this reason, the Islamic legislation clarifies the meaning of sin and mentions the various categories of sin as well as its harmful effects and consequences in order that the believers can take precautionary measures to escape their harmful outcomes. Remedies for both minor and major sins are also contained in Islamic legislation; the greatest remedy being turning to Allah –the Mighty and Majestic– in repentance.

Furthermore, the servants need to invoke their Lord is great, rather it is dire. Invocation is a crucial part of worship just as it is the path to happiness. Whoever constantly invokes their Lord will see the doors of good open for them and will witness evils and tragedies avoiding them.

In the following chapters we will discuss the definition of sin, repentance and invocation as well as issues related to each of them. We will also cover the rulings of repentance and the wisdoms behind it.

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(623) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (pp. 283–9).

(624) See: ‘Tafsir at–Tabari’ (52/111–3); & ‘Tafsir al–Qurtubi’ (16/131); & ‘Tafsir Ibn Kathir’ (4/140–3).

(625) See: ‘Tafsir at–Tabari’ (52/113); & ‘Tafsir Ibn Kathir’ (4/140–3).

(626) Reported by Muslim (no. 2947).

(627) Referencing has preceded.

(628) See: ‘Tafsir at–Tabari’ (96–102); & ‘at–Tadhkirah’ of al–Qurtubi (pp. 792–3); & ‘Tafsir Ibn Kathir’ (2/184–6).

(629) Al–Bukhari (nos. 4635, 4636, 6506, and 7121); & Muslim (no. 157).

(630) Reported by Muslim (no. 2947).

(631) ‘at–Tadhkirah’ of al–Qurtubi (p. 794).

(632) ‘at–Tadhkirah’ (pp. 785).

(633) Reported by Muslim (no. 158).

(634) ‘Musnad al–Imam Ahmad’ (5/26) with the footnotes entitled ‘Muntakhab al–Kanz’. al–Haythami said in ‘al–Majma’ (8/6): “Its narrators are those of the two authentic collections of prophetic traditions (i.e. Al–Bukhari and Muslim), except for ‘Umar bin ‘Abdur–Rahman bin ‘Atiyyah who is reliable anyway.” al–Albani also graded it as authentic in ‘as–Sahihah’ (no. 322).

(635) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (pp. 413–5).

(636) ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (pp. 415–6).

(637) Referencing has preceded.

(638) See: ‘an–Nihayah, al–Fitan wal–Malahim’ (1/230–1); & ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (p. 420).

(639) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (p. 422).

(640) See: ‘Ashrat as–Sa’ah’ (pp. 426–30).