The signs of the final hour can be divided into two groups. 1) Minor signs
Minor signs are events of normal nature prophesised by our Prophet Muhammed
to take place before Qiyamah like the consumption of alcohol,
lifting of knowledge
and prevalence
of ignorance and immorality and signs of this nature. The majority of
the
minor signs have appeared while some are occurring and some will appear
with major signs.
2) Major signs
Major signs are events of extraordinary nature prophesied by our Prophet
to take place before Qiyamah like all the events mentioned in the
following
hadith narrated by Hudhaifa ibn Usayd that the Prophet
said, 'The last hour will not arrive till you have seen ten signs.
He
then mentioned the Smoke, Dajjal, Beast, Rising of the Sun from the
place
of it's setting, the Descent of Isa, Ya'juj Ma'juj, Three Landslides,
one
in the East , one in the West and one in the Arabian Peninsula after
that
a Fire would spread from Yemen and drive the people to their place of
gathering.'
(Muslim)
The coming of Imaam Mahdi
The Coming of Imaam Mahdi is one
of the signs of Qiyamah as is the belief of the Ahlus-Sunnah and he has
yet to appear.
Abdullah-bin-Masood
has reported that the Prophet
said, "The world will not pass away before the Arabs are ruled by a man
(referring to Mahdi) of my family whose name will be the same as mine."
(Abu Daud)
Signs That Precede Him
1) A General Sign
There are many signs that will precede him; a general and very important sign is that he will come at a time when there is great confusion, intense disputes and violent death. When people are afflicted by disturbances and fear. Calamities will fall upon the people, so much so that a man shall not find shelter to shelter him from oppression. There will be many battles and fitnaas before his appearance. Every time a fitnaa has come to an end, another will start, spread and intensify. The people will be troubled to such extent that they will long for death. It is then that Imaam Mahdi will be sent.
Abu Saeed al-Khudri has reported that the Messenger of Allah
said:
''He will be sent at a time of intense disputes and differences among people and earthquakes.'' (Ahmad)
2) Note. The Double Eclipse In Ramadan statement quoted from Darequtni is NOT verified, indeed it's authenticity is questionable. It is NOT to be considered as authentic Hadith.
3) The Battle in Mina
Before Imaam Mahdi emerges an inter-tribal fight will take place. In the same year Haji's will be looted and a battle will erupt in Mina in which many people will be killed.
Amr-bin-Shuaib reported from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah
said, ''In Dhul-Qada
(Islamic month) the tribes will fight, Hajis will be looted and there
will
be a battle in Mina
in which many people will be slain and blood will flow until it runs
over
the Jamara-tul-aqba. Their companions (referring to Imaam Mahdi) will
flee
to a point between the Corner and the Maqaam and will be forced to
accept
people's allegiance.'' (Al-Fitan Nuaim-b-Hammad)
4) The Euphrates Will Disclose Mountain of Gold
The final hour will not come until the river Euphrates (which flows through Syria and Iraq and finally opens in the Gulf) will disclose a mountain of gold over which people will fight and die. It should be noted that this is a sign, which will precede Imaam Mahdi only according to some Ulama. Abu Huraira (R.A.) reported that the Messenger of Allah
said, ''The hour shall not occur until the Euphrates will disclose a
mountain
of gold over which people will fight . Ninety- nine out of which
hundred shall be killed and every one of them will say' Perchance I
shall
be the one to succeed. ''(Muslim)
In another narration we have been told that whoever is present at the time when the Euphrates discloses a mountain of gold should not take the gold.
5) Emergence of the Suffyani
The Suffyani (a descendant of Abu Sufyan) will emerge before Imam Mahdi from the depths of Damascus. According to some weak narration his name will be Urwa bin Muhammed and his Kuniya 'Abu-Utba'. The Ahadith regarding the Suffyani specify that he is a tyrant who will spread corruption and mischief on the earth before Imam Mahdi. He will be such a tyrant that he will kill the children and rip open the bellies of women. When he hears about the Mahdi, he will send an army to seize and kill him. However the Earth will swallow this army before it even reaches Imam Mahdi.
Abu Huraira (R.A.) has narrated that the Prophet
said, ''A man will emerge from the depth of Damascus. He will be called
Suffyani. Most of those who follow him will be from the tribe of Kalb.
He will kill by ripping the stomachs of women and even kill the
children.
A man from my family will appear in Haram, the news of his advent will
reach the Suffyani and he will send forth one of his armies. He
(referring
to Imam Mahdi) will defeat them. They will then travel with whoever
remains
until they come to a desert and they will be swallowed . None will be
saved
except the one who had informed the others about them. '' (Mustadarak)
6) The Emergence of Haris-Al-Harrath and Mansur
Hazrat Ali reported that the Prophet
said, ''There will be a man from Transoxania who will be called
Harith-Harrath
and a man called Mansur will be at his vanguard. He will give abode to
the family of Mohammad (referring to Imam Mahdi) just as the Quraish
gave
abode to the Prophet
(Mishkat)7) An army will perish in Baidah
Once he has appeared an army that has come to fight him will perish in Baidah (a flat piece of land next to Madinah facing the direction of Makkah).
Umme-Salama (R.A.) reported that the Prophet
''There shall be differences and intense dispute at the time of the
death
of a Khalifh. Then a man from the inhabitants of Madinah (referring to
Imam Mahdi) will come out of the flee to Makkah (so that he does not get
caught in the dispute and is not made the Khalifh). Some Makkans will
come
to him and take him out though he will be unwilling. They will then make
him accept their Bayat between the Black Stone and the place of Ibrahim .
An army will then be sent to fight him from Syria , however it will
perish
in Baidah, between Makkah and Madinah. When the people see and hear
about
this event ,the awliya (God fearing people) of Syria and Iraq will make
Bayat with him.'' (Abu Daud)8) A star with a luminous tail will rise from the east before his emergence. (Al-Iza'ah).
9) A voice in Ramadhan will awaken sleeps and alarm those that are awake (Ibid)
10) The emergence of al-A'hraj al-Kindi, Abqa and Ashab before Imam Mahdi (Ibid)
11) The earth will swallow a village near Damascus (Ibid)
12) An army with black banners will come from the East (Ibid)
Dajjal
The emergence of the Dajjal is the most important sign as his trial and fitna will be the biggest ever seen on the Face of the earth and even those firm in faith will be shaken.
The Messenger of Allah
said, "Between the creation of Prophet Adam 
and the coming of the last hour, their will arise no matter more serious
than the Dajjal." (Imran-b-Hussain/ Muslim)
Due to the severity of this turmoil, every Prophet from the first to the last warned and informed his people about, the Dajjal and his turmoil. (Anas / Bukhari, Muslim)
The Dajjal will appear once the Muslim army, have conquered Constantinople and reached Syria. Emerging from the east, moving from city to city he will perform unusual feat and cause fitna wherever he goes. Before we move onto his trials many important questions need to be answered. 'Is he alive?' 'Which signs will precede him?' 'How will we recognise him?' and so forth.
Safe
Haven
of Makkah and Madinah
The Dajjal will remain on earth
for
40 days, the first of which will be a year long, second a month , the
third
a week, and the remaining 37 days like our normal days, moving from city
to another causing fitna. Finally he will proceed towards
Makkah
and Madina but he will be unable to enter these holy cities,
Masjid Tur and Masjid al-Aqsa. Every time he tries to enter
these holy places, angels guarding these holy cities with swords in
their
hand will encounter him and chase him away, leaving Dajjal stationed
behind
Uhud. Meanwhile, earthquakes will hit Madinah thrice and all
the hypocrites will be forced to leave.
Protection
from
Dajjal
Reciting of Surah - Kahf
The recitation of Surah Kahf is a safe guard from the Dajjal's turmoil. The Prophet (s) said, "Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Kahf will be safe from the Dajjal's Fitna." (Abu-Darda / Muslim)
The Prophet
said, 'Whoever meets the Dajjal amongst you then he should recite the
opening
verse of Surah Kahf onto him." (Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim)Seeking refuge in Allah
Whoever seeks Allah's refuge and protection from Dajjal's fitna especially in Salah, Inshallah will be protected.
The Prophet
would pray in Salah, "Oh Allah protect me from the punishment of the
grave
and protect me from Dajjal's fitna." (Aisha / Bukhari / Muslim)Staying miles apart
When the Dajjal appears one should stay as far away from him as possible. The Prophet
said, "Those who hear about the Dajjal should stay far from him. By
Allah!
A person will approach him thinking him to be a believer, but on seeing
his amazing feats he will become his follower." (Imran-b-Hussain
/ Abu Daud)
Safe Haven of Makkah and Madinah
One should try to migrate to Makkah or Madinah, as he will not be able to enter these two holy cities. Thus one will be protected from his fitna. (Fatimah-b-Qais / Muslim)
Knowledge of Allah's Attributes
One should seek Islamic knowledge especially knowledge of Allah's attributes. By possessing knowledge of Allah's attributes one will not be misled by the Dajjal. This knowledge teaches that Allah is perfect, can't be seen, and not in need of anything while the Dajjal is imperfect, can be seen by both believers and non-believers and in need of food and water.
Return
Of
Prophet Isa
Brief
History
of Prophet Isa
Due to the fact that the Jews had become deaf and blind to the words of God and deviated from the teachings of Moses and the right path, Allah honoured Isa
with Prophethood and sent him as a messenger to the children of Israel.
Bearing all hardships Prophet Isa
spent all day and night conveying the message of Allah. Unfortunately,
in spite of his tremendous effort the children of Israel did not respond
and accept the message. Seeing that the poor and weak were becoming
inclined
towards him and fearing they would lose their leadership the Jews
secretly
tried to kill him. However Allah saved Prophet Isa
from their wicked scheme and gave him greater dignity by raising him
alive
to the heavens.
Allah says in the Quran, "They did not kill him and nor did they crucify him but the resemblance of him (Isa
)
was put over another man and those who differ there in, are in doubt.
They
have no certain knowledge. They are following nothing but conjecture for
surely they did not kill him but Allah raised him up to him." (Surah
Nisa)
Allah says in the Quran "When Allah says, Jesus; I will take thee to me and I will purify thee of the unbelievers" (Surah A'li-Imran)
These verses clearly prove that the Jews did not kill Prophet Isa
and that he was raised alive to the heavens. It is due to verses like
those
mentioned above and many authentic Ahadith we Muslims believe that
Prophet Isa
is alive in heaven at this moment in time. We further believe due to the
following verses and authentic Ahadith that Prophet Isa
will return before Qiyamah and his return is a major sign of Qiyamah.
Allah says in the Quran, "And he (son of Mary) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the hour." (Surah Zukhruf)
Ibne Abbas has said that the meaning of this verse is that Prophet Isa's
descent
before Qiyamah is a sign of Qiyamah. (Ibne Abbas/ Musnad)
Allah says, "There is not a single section of the people of the book that will certainly believe in Isa before his death and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them." (Surah Nisa) This verse clearly indicates that before the demise of Prophet Isa
everyone from the people of the book will believe in him. The Jews will
disappear as Jews after his demise but at the present the Jews are very
much there. The conclusion is clear that the Prophet Isa has
not died; if so all the Jews would have become believers, which they
have
not. He will return before Qiyamah and it is then that all the people of
the book will believe in him.
Jabir (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "A party of my followers will not cease to fight for victory until the Day of Resurrection. He said, then Isa, son of Mary, will come down. Their Imaam will say, "Come and lead our prayer" He will reply, "Some of you are rulers over others on account of divine honour upon these people." (Muslim)
Abu Huraira (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah
said, "By the one whose hands my life is in, surely the son of Maryam(
)
will descend amongst you as a just ruler. He will destroy the cross,
kill
the swine and abolish the tax." (Bukhari)
Hadrat Hudaifah-b-Osaid reported: The Holy Prophet
suddenly came to us while we were talking. He asked, "What are you
talking
about?" They replied "We were talking about the last hour." Prophet (s)
said, "It will never come until you see ten signs before it," He then
mentioned
the Smoke, the Dajjal, the Beast, the Rising of the Sun in its place of
setting, the Descent of Isa son of Mary and Yajuj and Ma'juj.
(Muslim)
Tasks
will have three main tasks, when he descends on the Earth for the second
time:
1) The first and most important will be that he will destroy the Dajjal.
2) Protect the Muslims from the barbarous tribes of Yajuj and Majuj by taking them to Mount Tur and then Praying for their (Yajuj and Majuj's) destruction.
3) Reign as a Khalifh according to the Quran and Sunnah and elevate Islam.
Ya'juj
Ma'juj
(Gog and Magog)
The emergence of the mighty tribes of Ya'juj and Ma'juj is also a major sign of Qiyamah.
Allah says in the Qur'an, "When Ya'juj and Ma'juj are let loose (from their Barrier) and they swiftly swarm from every mound" (Surah Al-Anbiya)
Allah says in the Qur'an, " (Zulqarnain) said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down (the barrier) to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is ever true." (Surah Al-Kahf)
Zainab-b-Zahash says: "Once the Prophet
awoke from such a sleep that his face was red and these words were on
his
tongue, "There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Destruction is upon
the Arabs on account of that evil which has come close to them. Today a
hole as big as this has opened in the wall of Yajuj and Ma'juj. (The
Prophet
indicated the size of the hole with his finger and thumb)"
(Bukhari/Muslim)
In the lengthy Hadith of Nawwas-b-Saman it has been mentioned, "And Allah will send Yajuj and Ma'juj and they will come from every lofty place." (Muslim)
Landslides
There will be three landslides before Qiyamah like never seen before. One in the East, one in the West and one in Arabia. The Earth will swallow everything above it and as a result, many people will die. However, everybody will be raised according to his intentions. This will take place when evil prevails.
Hudhaifa-b-Usaid al-Ghifari reported: Allah's Messenger
came to us all of a sudden as we were (busy in discussion) He said:
"What
are you discussing?" They (the companions) said: "We are talking about
the last hour." Thereupon he
said: "It will not come until you see ten signs before it, He made a
mention
of the Smoke, the Dajjal, the Beast, the Rising of the Sun from the
West,
the Descent of Jesus, Son of Mary,
the emergence of Ya'juj and Ma'juj, and Landsliding will occur in three
places, One in the East, one in the West and one in Arabia at the end of
which a fire would burn forth from Yemen, which would drive people to
the
place of their assembly." (Muslim)
Umme Salmah reported that I heard the Messenger of Allah
saying, "After me there will be a landslide in the East, a landslide in
the West and a landslide in the Peninsula of Arabia." I asked, "Oh
Messenger
of Allah will the Earth give way, though there are some pious people
above
it." The Prophet
replied, "When its inhabitants exceed doing bad and evil."
(Tabrani Fil-Awsat)
The
Smoke
Allah says, ''So thou wait for the day when the heaven shall bring a smoke manifest surrounding the people this is a painful Chastisement.'' ( Surah-Dhukan)
Wasila-Bb-l-Asqa reported, ''I heard the Prophet saying, ''The final hour will not come until you see ten signs. '' (one of the ten mentioned was the smoke) (Muslim)
It is clearly evident from the above verse and Ahadith that the smoke is a major sign of Qiyamah. It will rise and cover the whole world. The smoke will affect both the believers and non-belivers alike remaining for a period of 40 days and night. The believers will be affected a little as if suffering from cold while the smoke will enter the brains of the non-belivers and make them unconscious1.
Footnote:1) Hudaifa-b-al-Yaman/Tabari.
Rising
of
the Sun from the West
The rising of the sun from the west is also a major sign of Qiyamah proven by the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Allah says in the Qur'an, "The day when some signs of your Lord will come, no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before, nor earned good (by performing deeds of righteousness) through his faith." (Surah Al-An'aam)
The verse is referring to the rising of the sun from the west, as is the opinion of the majority of the commentators. (Tabari/Ibne Kathir)
Imam Tabari, after mentioning the different opinions of the commentators writes, "The most correct opinion in regards to the meaning of this verse is that what is apparent from the reports narrated from the Prophet
that he said,
"(lmaan will be of no benefit) when the sun rises from the west."
(Tabari)
Abu Huraira reported that the Holy Prophet
said, "Hasten to do good deeds before six (things happen) :Rising of the
sun from the west." (Mishkat)
The
Beast
The Beast is also a major sign of Qiyamah. Allah says in the Qur'an, "And when the word is fulfilled concerning them. We shall bring forth a Beast of the Earth to speak unto them because mankind had no faith in our revelation." (Surah An-Naml)
Abdullah-b-Umar said, "I memorised a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah
which I have not forgotten. I heard the Messenger of Allah
saying, 'The first of the signs that will come is the rising of the sun
from the place of its setting and the emergence of the Beast upon the
people.
Whichever of these two occurs before the other then the other is right
behind it." (Muslim)
Commentating on the above verse Ibne Kathir has said that the beast will appear very near the end of time. When disintegration, corruption, kufr and evil prevail, commands of Allah are ignored, the Deen changed and made a mockery of, it is then Allah will take out the Beast from the earth. (Ibne Kathir)
Imam Hakim in the light of the above Hadith has said that the rising of the sun from the west will take place before the emergence of the Beast. The Beast will appear on the same day the sun has risen from the west or very soon thereafter. Ibne Hajar after quoting Imam Hakim mentions, "The wisdom in the Beast appearing after the sun has risen from the west is that the door of repentance will close at the time the sun rises from the west. Thus the Beast will emerge to distinguish the believers from the non-believers completing the aim of closing the door of repentance." (Fathul-Bari)
Task
The task of the Beast will be to distinguish the believers from the non-believers, with Prophet Moosa's
staff it will draw a line on the forehead of every believer whereby his
face will become bright and luminous and with the ring of Sulaman
it will seal the nose of every non-believer where by his whole face will
become black. Thus there will be complete distinction between the Muslim
and non-Muslirn, so that if many parties sit at a dinner table, the
Muslim
and non-Muslirn will be distinguished. (Abu Huraira-Musnad
Ahmad/Tirmidhi)
The Beast will also talk to people. It will say, "Mankind had no faith in our revelations." (Ibne Kathir)
The
Fire
The last major sign to appear before the Day of Judgement is the fire which will come out from the Yemen and gather the people in the place of their assembly.
In the Hadith of Hudaifa-b-Usaid regarding the Major signs the Prophet
said, "At the end of which a fire would burn out from Yemen and would
drive
people to the place of their assembly." (Muslim)
Narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A) the Prophet
said, "The people will be gathered in three ways:
1.The first way will be of those who will wish or have a hope (for paradise) and will have a fear (of punishment).
2.The second batch will be those who will gather riding, two on a camel or three on a camel or ten on a camel.
3.The third batch will be the rest of the people who will be urged to gather by the fire which will accompany them at the time of their afternoon nap and stay with them where they will spend the night, and will be with them in the morning wherever they may be then, and will be with them in the afternoon wherever they may be then. (Bukhari)
We can see that some of the signs mentioned above have happened, some of them have not happened yet. And it will get closer. Wallahu 'alam..
Source:www.inter-islam.org/faith/Majorsigns.html
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