By Ahmed Bashir

The world has changed a lot in the last thirty years and it may be difficult for some people to grasp and/or cope with these drastic, destructive and deadly events. Fortunately, Allah and his Prophet have informed and warned us about the signs of these calamities and tribulations that will particularly befell or affect the Muslim world.

So here is a summary of Excerpt from Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer Hadith.

Allah said: “They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): ‘When will be its appointed time?’ Say: ‘The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He. Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden.’ They ask you as if you have a good knowledge of it. Say: ‘The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone) but most of mankind know not [Al-A’raaf – 187]”

The Prophet (SAW) said, whilst pointing with his index and middle fingers, “The time of my advent and the Hour are like these two fingers. In another report he said, “The Hour almost came before me.” This indicates how close we are, relatively speaking, to the Hour.

Allah said: “Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness [Al-Anbiya: 1]”

The exact timing of the Great Hour is something which Allah alone knows and which He has not been revealed to anyone, however, the Prophet (pbuh) has informed his companions about its in many occasions.

Once he told them towards the end of a long speech, that , ‘The sun is about to set, and what remains of this world, compared to what has passed, is like what remains of this day compared to what has passed.’

In another speech, he said, ‘There will be some people who will lead others on a path different from mine. … You will see good and bad in them. He further said, ‘They will be from our own people, and will speak our language.’

In another Hadith, he said, ‘Among the signs of the Hour will be the disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance. Adultery will be prevalent and the drinking of wine will be common. The number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until there will be fifty women to be looked after by one man.’

‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib said, “The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘If my Ummah bears fifteen traits, tribulation will befall it.’ Someone asked, ‘What are they, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘When any gain is shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor; when a trust becomes a means of making a profit; when paying Zakaat becomes a burden; when a man obeys his wife and disobeys his mother; and treats his friend kindly whilst shunning his father; when voices are raised in the mosques; when the leader of a people is the worst of them; when people treat a man with respect because they fear some evil he may do; when much wine is drunk; when men wear silk; when female singers and musical instruments become popular; when the last ones of this Ummah curse the first ones – then let them expect a red wind, or the earth to swallow them, or to be transformed into animals.'” [Tirmidhee]

The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘The Hour will come when leaders are oppressors, when people believe in the stars and reject al-Qadar (the Divine Decree of Destiny) when a trust becomes a way of making a profit, when people give to charity (Sadaqah) reluctantly, when adultery becomes widespread – when this happens, then your people will perish.'”

‘Imran ibn Husayn said, “The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Some people of this Ummah will be swallowed up by the earth, some will be transformed into animals, and some will be bombarded with stones.’ One of the Muslims asked, ‘When will that be, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘When singers and musical instruments will become popular, and much wine will be drunk.’

Excerpt from Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer Hadith

Ahmed Bashir
Email: bashir1631@gmail.com