Dealing with Recurrent Claims of Apocalyptic Prophecies

Growing up listening to stories about the prophecies of the Judgement Day and its signs frighten us and sometimes cause a lot of confusion. How do we react to this? Are the signs here already?

In fact, there have been recurring claims or predictions of the Hour as early as the middle age. Some claims that they could be traced to the ancient times as well.

The claims persist till modern time today by religious figures, conspiracy theorists and scientists and they have attracted a lot of attention and discourse.

Allah taala mentions in the Qur’an,

They ask you (O Prophet) regarding the Hour, “When will it be?” Say, “That knowledge is only with my Lord. He alone will reveal it when the time comes. It is too tremendous for the heavens and the earth and will only take you by surprise.” They ask you as if you had full knowledge of it. Say, “That knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.” (The Qur’an, 7:187)

It is then clear that the date of the apocalyptic age is only known by Allah taala and it will only be revealed when it occurs.

This can also be seen in the famous Hadith of Jibril, where the Prophet s.a.w and the companions r.a were approached by a man that was later revealed to be the angel Jibril a.s, teaching the companions about the religion.

The man said, “Tell me about The Final Hour.” The Prophet s.a.w said, “The one asked does not know more than the one asking.” The man said, “Tell me then about its Signs.” The Prophet said, “When the slave-girl will give birth to her master and when you see the barefoot, naked, and dependent shepherds compete in the construction of tall buildings.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Although the actual time of The Hour is unknown, its occurrence is undisputed. From this hadith, the Prophet s.a.w mentioned two signs of The Hour. However, its true meanings are ambiguous.

Muslim thinkers such as Al-Habib Abu Bakr Al-`Adni, a scholar in Islamic eschatology mentioned in his book Al-Usus Wa Al-Muntalaqat, that the first sign, “When the slave-girl will give birth to her master” means a shift (a form of deterioration) in Muslims’ knowledge and faith, and the second sign, “and when you see the barefoot, naked, and dependent shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings”, refers to shift in (political) power and economy.

It is important to also know that the signs of the Hour and the Hour (Judgement Day) are not the same.

Amongst the many signs mentioned by the Prophet s.a.w, these two signs were mentioned in the hadith of Jibril.

Importance of learning about the signs of The Hour

Learning about the signs of The Hour is important due to the following reasons.

Firstly, to have better knowledge of the four pillars of the religion mentioned in the Hadith of Jibril. The other three are Islam, Iman and Ihsan. Some scholars view it as part of the Iman pillar, while other scholars see it as a distinct pillar, since it was the fourth question asked by Jibril a.s in the same hadith.

Secondly, to protect selves from ignorance of The Hour and to avoid reliance on wrong sources out of curiosity about it in Man, especially when facing recurrent claims and prediction, which may lead to misguidance.

Thirdly, to strengthen faith by pondering upon the manifestation of these signs. 

It is important we remind ourselves that everything happens by Allah’s will and control. Therefore, it is only obvious that we seek His protection and follow His guidance through the knowledge taught by the Prophet s.a.w and followed by the righteous people.

Responding to the signs

Some Muslims would develop a negative viewpoint towards life after knowing about some of these signs such as pessimism and fatalism.

There have been studies that identified eschatological narrations as a pulling point for potential-radicals that long to see the great battle against a clear evil, led by the promised leader Al-Mahdi.

There is a tendency to incline towards or anticipate the coming of The Hour, rather than to strive for life to continue.

These attitudes, however, are in contradiction with the teachings of the Prophet s.a.w.

The right attitude for Muslims is optimism in life. This can be seen in a hadith mentioned by the Prophet s.a.w, “If The Day of Resurrection were established upon one of you while he has in his hand a seedling, then let him plant it.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

The situation depicted in this hadith is no longer an ambiguous prediction but a clear event of The Hour itself, and yet, the Prophet s.a.w told Muslim to plant a seedling wherever it is possible. 

Despite being the most knowledgeable person of the matter, the Prophet s.a.w was also known to be someone who smiled the most, as mentioned by the companion Abdullah bin Al-Harith r.a.

Al-Habib Abu Bakr Al-`Adni mentions about the objectives of learning these Signs by commenting on the hadith, “Hasten to do good deeds against seven afflictions. Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or the Dajjal who is the worst (currently absent) and is expected to appear, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter.” (Narrated by Al-Tirmizi);

Firstly, this hadith is not supposed to be read in a negative light, nor does it paint a grim and pessimistic outlook of the future. Rather it is a form of guidance for Muslims to avoid factors that would lead to crisis and peril. Hence it is a guidance that upholds the statement, “Prevention is better than cure”.

Secondly, the Prophet s.a.w wants Muslim to focus on doing good deeds in life in the face of these afflictions. Good deeds are not limited to just acts of worship per se, but they comprise both religious and worldly duties as well.

It must be noted that signs of The Hour mentioned in hadiths are not bad signs. Some are good signs. For example, the appointment of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w as the last Prophet and the appointment of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali as the guided leader in-charge of Muslim affairs (Khulafa’ Rashideen).

It is then important for us, in light of these signs, to respond by maintaining an optimistic view towards life, avoiding the factors mentioned in some of the signs that would lead to crisis and peril, and to hasten ourselves to do good deeds.

Protection from such afflictions and trials

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w has taught Muslims on how to face the time where The Hour is very near in order to avoid falling into afflictions, especially against the Dajjal. Some of the Prophet’s recommendations are;

1. Reciting surah Al-Kahfi on every Friday. The Prophet has said, “Whoever commits ten verses from the beginning Surah Al-Kahfi will be protected from the Dajjal”. (Sahih Muslim)

Some scholars have even encouraged Muslims to read it on a daily basis.

2. Read du`a of protection.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْر ومِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ

“Allah! I seek refuge in You from the torment of Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the trials of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal.” (Narrated by Muslim)

3. Muslims who are aware of the signs of The Hour trails and what they entail should realise that they are reminders for them to return to Allah taala by constant repentance, which is to cease from all that are prohibited by Allah taala, to have remorse over committed sins and finally to build a strong resolution to not return to them.

4. Seeking knowledge.

One of the signs mentioned in hadiths is corruption and deterioration in knowledge will persist until the appearance of the Dajjal, “The Dajjal will emerge at a time when religious commitment is low, and knowledge has decreased.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

Hence, it is important that for Muslims to seek knowledge through credible sources and methodologies. Indeed, seeking knowledge is a lifetime commitment.

In doing so, Muslims should prioritise some knowledge over the other. The priority then should be that which is appropriate and needed for our current situation (wajib al-waqt).

Muslims start with something as minimal as knowing about the attributes of Allah taala, the proper steps to observe purification and to do our acts of worship in an excellent manner or what is known as fard `ain (individual obligations).