SIGNS OF QIYAMAH (part 2)

THE FIRE OF HIJAAZ

Sayyidena Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, "Qiyamah will not come until a fire does not break out in the land of Hijaaz. (The fire will) illuminate the necks of the camels of Busra".

NOTE:-


Busra is located approximately forty eight miles south of Damascus. Regarding this fire Allamah Nawawi (R.A.) says, the fire about which the Hadeeth makes mention of is from among the signs of Qiyamah. In our times (654 A.H.) a great fire emerged in Hairah which is east of Madina Tayyabah. The people of Shaam (Syria) and other cities are unanimous about its existence. I myself have been informed about it by the people of Madina who witnessed it.

Allamah Qurtubi (R.A.) gave the following details regarding the fire:

The fire was sparked off by a powerful earthquake;

It spread rapidly over the mountains leaving them in ashes;
A reddish yellow (flaming) stream which roared like thunder was noticed in this fire;
Though it reached the outskirts of Madina, the wind blowing from that direction into Madina was cool;
The fire was reported to have been seen from as far as the mountains surrounding Makkah as well as from Busra;
The scholars regard this fire also as one of the miracles of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). The above are some of the minor signs which occurred in the earlier era of Islam.

MINOR SIGNS: LATER

Below are given the minor signs which have occurred well into the latter era of Islam and are still being witnessed:


LIARS
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "In the last days, such liars and deceitful people will emerge, who will tell you such new things (baseless interpretations and distortions about Islam), which neither you, nor your forebears would have heard about. Beware of them, beware of them. It should not happen that they lead you astray."

EVIL ULAMA (ULAMA-E-SOO’)

Hadhrat All (R.A.) says Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "A time is soon to come when Islam will remain only by name, and the Qur'aan will exist only in words. People will erect large and beautiful Masjids, but these Masjids will lack guidance and be deserted. The worst creation below the skies will be the Ulama-e-Soo’. Great Fitna (evils) will emanate from them and they themselves will promote fitna and they will be the center of Fitna.

SINS
Hadhrat Zainab bint Jahash (RA.) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was asked: "0 Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) What? Will ruin and destruction come upon us even if there are pious servants of Allah living amongst us?" "Yes", replied Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), "When the evil of sins Spread", (then the existence of even pious people will not stop ruin and destruction.)

SIGN OF INTELLIGENCE
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (RA.) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "A time will also come upon people that a person will find himself in such a position and under such circumstances that he either allows himself to be branded as a fool or, he either joins the prevailing evils, (becoming a part of it). Should a person find himself in such a situation, then it is better for him to be branded as a fool, rather than participate in evil."

EVIL LEADERS

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "A time will also come upon people when they will employ deceit in everything. At that time the liars will be declared as the Truthful and the Truthful will be condemned as liars. The evil one’s will be regarded as upright while the upright will be regarded as evil people; The "Ruwaibadha" will represent (lead) the people. It was asked as to who the "Ruwaibadha" were? He said they were the incompetent, unscrupulous and insignificant people. They will attend to the important matters pertaining to the public and make decisions.

ABUNDANCE OF QURRAH (QAREE)
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates the following narration of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam): ‘That time will also come upon my Ummat, when though there will be an abundance of Qurrah, there will be a shortage of Fuqaha (Jurists). There will be a scarcity of (Islamic) knowledge and an increase in evil and anarchy. Then there will also come a time upon the Ummat when people will recite the Qur'aan, but it will not go further than their throats, (into their hearts, i.e. they will not be affected by it). Then that time will also come when a Mushrik and Mu’min will debate on the Tauheed (Oneness) of Allah.

NO IMAAN

Hadhrat Umme Salma (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "That time will also come upon the people when the Truthful will be condemned as liars and the liars will be regarded as Truthful. People with dishonest occupations will be regarded as upright people while upright people will be condemned as criminals. People will come forth uncalled to give evidence, (for a fee), and people will take oaths (false) without it being called for. The progeny of lowly parents will be regarded as fortunate people on account of their worldly possessions, whereas, in actual fact they will not have Imaan in Allah or His Rasul (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).



DIFFICULT TIMES
Hadhrat Anas (R.A.) narrates that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "Such a time will come upon people that it will be as difficult for them to remain on Deen as it is for a person to hold a burning coal in his hand."

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, "Perform all good deeds before the era of evil dawns, the darkness of which will increase in waves. The effects of these evils will be so grave that a person will be a Mu’min in the morning and a Kaafir at night, or, a Mu’min at night and a Kaafir in the morning. A person will sell his Deen in lieu of a paltry sum." (Muslim)

TWO JAHANNAMI GROUPS

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "I have not yet seen two groups of Jahannamis, (because they have not emerged thus far). One group is of those men who will have lashes the size of the tails of oxen, in their hands, with which they will lash the faces of others. The other group is of those women who will wear clothes, yet they will be naked. They will attempt to attract people towards themselves and they will incline towards people (men). Their heads will appear to be like a dromedary (camel). Such women will never be able to enter Jannat, nay, they will not even smell the fragrance of Jannat, although the fragrance of Jannah will spread far.

NOTE
a) These days, scantily clad women or women who wear fine (see through) clothing are those who have on clothes, yet they are naked. Women dressed in tight, figure hugging clothing also fall in this category.
b) Women who wear high buns on the head are those whose heads appear to be like the hump of a camel.

THE MOON
Hadhrat Anas (R.A.) narrates, "One of the signs of Qiyamah will be that the moon will be sighted before it appears on the horizon, and people will say regarding the moon of the first night (of the month) that "this is the moon of the second night".

The masjids will be used as tourist attractions, rather than places of lbaadat. Untimely (sudden) deaths will be very common.

According to another narration also by Hadhrat Anas (R.A.), the following signs of Qiyamah have been mentioned;
a) Increase in immorality.
b) Use of abusive language.
c) Severing of ties between close families / relatives.
He also relates: "Regard Qiyamah as having arrived when Masjids will be objects of pride, instead of places of lbaadat".
(i.e. People will try to outdo each other in building the best Masjid, or people will gather in Masjids and boast about various things).