The approach of the Hour
Q: Is the day of Judgement near as everyone seems to be committing so many sins at the moment?
A: Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness.” [al-Anbiyaa’ 21:1].
{اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مَّعْرِضُونَ}
Transliteration: Aqtaraba Lilnnāsi Ĥisābuhum Wa Hum Fī Ghaflatin Mu`riđūna
Ibn Katheer said in his (Tafseer, 3/172):
"Here Allaah is pointing out that the Hour is approaching and is at
hand, and that people are unaware of it, i.e., they are not working and
preparing for it".
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The Event (the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists
or the Islamic laws or commandments) ordained by Allaah will come to
pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all
that they associate as partners with Him” [al-Nahl 16:1].
{أَتَى أَمْرُ اللّهِ فَلاَ تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ}
Transliteration: 'Atá 'Amru Allāhi Falā Tasta`jilūhu Subĥānahu Wa Ta`ālá `Ammā Yushrikūna
Ibn Katheer said in his (Tafseer, 2/560):
"Here Allaah tells us about the approach of the Hour and that it is at
hand. The fact that it is expressed in the past tense [in the original
Arabic] indicates that it is true and will undoubtedly come to pass".
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder” [al-Qamar 54:1].
{اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ}
Transliteration: Aqtarabati As-Sā`atu Wa Anshaqqa Al-Qamaru
Ibn Katheer said in his (Tafseer, 4/360):
"Here Allaah tells us of the approach of the Hour and the passing of this world".
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“It is Allaah Who has sent down the Book (the Qur’aan) in truth, and the
Balance (i.e., to act justly). And what can make you know that perhaps
the Hour is close at hand?” [al-Shoora 42:17].
{اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ}
Transliteration: Allāhu Al-Ladhī 'Anzala Al-Kitāba Bil-Ĥaqqi Wa Al-Mīzāna Wa Mā Yudrīka La`alla As-Sā`ata Qarībun
At-Tirmidhi reported in As-Sunan (1980 – with as-Saheeh) that the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
«How can I enjoy life when the bearer of the horn
(or trumpet) has put the horn to his lips and is listening, waiting for
the command to blow?», It was as if this was difficult for the
companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to
hear, so he said to them:
«Say: Hasbuna Allaah wa ni’am al-wakeel, ‘ala
Allaah tawakkalnaa (Sufficient for us is Allaah, and He is the Best
Disposer of affairs, in Allaah we put our trust).»
Ahmad and Muslim narrated that Ibn Mas’ood said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «The Hour will only come upon the most evil of people» [Narrated by Muslim, no. 5243, and by Ahmad, no. 3548].
Ahmad and al-Bukhaari narrated that Mardaas al-Sulami said:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «The
righteous people will vanish, the best first, then the next best and so
on, and there will be left worthless chaff like the chaff of barley or
dates, and Allaah will not care about them at all» [See al-Jaami’ al-Saheeh, 7934].
Ahmad and the two Shaykhs (al-Bukhaari and Muslim) narrated that Anas
said: I shall tell you a hadeeth which no one else will tell you after I
am gone. I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) say:
«Among the signs of the Hour are: knowledge will
be reduced, ignorance will prevail, zinaa will be widespread, and there
will be many women and few men, until for fifty women there will be one
guardian» [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 79 –this version was
narrated by him. Also narrated by Muslim, no. 4825; Ahmad, no. 12735;
and al-Tirmidhi, no. 2131].
At-Tabaraani narrated that Sahl ibn Sa’d said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
«At the end of time there will be earthquakes,
slander, transmutation into animals [or disfigurement, deformity], when
stringed instruments and female singers will be widespread, and wine
will be permitted» [Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3665].
All of these texts clearly indicate that the Hour is approaching and
that an abundance of sin and evil is one of its signs. The Kuffaar think
that the Hour is unlikely to happen and that it is taking too long, but
the fact of the matter is as Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, But We see it (quite) near.” [al-Ma’aarij 70:6-7].
{إِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُ بَعِيداً (6) وَنَرَاهُ قَرِيباً}
Transliteration: 'Innahum Yarawnahu Ba`īdāan, Wa Narāhu Qarībāan
We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound in this world and in the Hereafter. Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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