Some of The Events That the Prophet said Would Occur after Prophet’s Lifetime (5/5)

There Is No Basis For Israelite Narrations That Specify How Long The World Will Remain

Similarly, none knows how many years have gone by for human beings in the past except for Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Scholars have repudiated narrations found in the writings of the People of the Book which specify that period — with a number that is in the hundreds of thousands. (Christian and Jewish religious) scholars are worthy of such mistakes.

In another narration it is related that, "The world is one week from the weeks of the Hereafter (scholars have differed in their understanding of this narration; because a day in the Hereafter is 1000 years of this world, week is understood to mean 7000 years)."

However, the chain of this narration is weak; similarly all narrations that specify the exact time of the Day of Resurrection are weak, with chains that are not acceptable. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) said:

"They ask you (O Muhammmad (Peace be upon him) about the Hour - when will be its appointed time? You have no knowledge to say anything about it, to your Lord belongs (the knowledge of) the term thereof? You (O Muhammad are only a warner for those who fear it. The day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning." [1]

And Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) 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."[2]

"The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder (the people of Makkah requested Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of the moon)." [3]

The Nearness Of The Hour

It is related in a narration, "(So near is it at hand) that it has almost preceded me." This indicates its proximity in relation to the time that has gone by in this world. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

"Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness." [4]

"The Event (the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islamic laws or commandments), ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted is He above all that they associate as partners with Him."[5]

"Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth. Verily, those who dispute concerning the Hour are certainly in error far away."[6]

On The Day Of Resurrection, The Muslim Will Be Resurrected With Those Whom He Loves

A Bedouin once asked the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) about the Hour, and he (Peace be upon him) said, "Indeed it is happening (i.e. it will certainly come to pass), and what preparation have you made for it?" The man said, "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I have not prepared much in terms of prayer or action, but I do indeed love Allah and His Messenger." The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "You are with those whom you loved." [Reported by Muslim] The Muslims never became as happy about something as they became with this Hadeeth.

Whoever Dies, Then His Hour Has Arrived

In some narrations it is related that when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was asked about the hour, he turned to a young boy and said, "He will not reach old-age until the Hour of all of you comes to you." [Reported by Muslim]

This means that their generation will become extinct and they will all have entered into the world of the Hereafter: whoever dies has in effect entered into the Hereafter. Some people say, "Whoever dies, then for him his Day of Resurrection has arrived." This statement, based on the understanding we have just indicated, is correct. However, some disbelievers might use this statement, intending falsehood by it. As for the greater Hour, when the first and last will be gathered on one plane, the timing thereof is something that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) alone knows.

The Keys To The Unseen Are Five: None Knows Them Save Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He)

In an authentic Hadeeth the Prophet said that there are five matters regarding which none has knowledge save Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). The Prophet (Peace be upon him) then recited:

"Verily, Allah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of things)." [7]

The Messenger Of Allah (Peace b eupon him) Did Not Know The Time Of The Hour

When Jibreel it came in the form of a Bedouin and asked the Prophet (Peace be upon him) about Islam, then Iman, and then Ihsaan, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) answered him. But when Jibreel asked about the Hour, the Prophet (Peace be upon him), said, "The one who is questioned does not have more knowledge about it than the questioner."