Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In the Mubaarak Ahaadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had prophesized the events that will unfold before Qiyaamah. He forewarned the ummah of the various trials and tribulations that will beset them in different places and at different times in the world. He also showed them the path of guidance and salvation through these fitnahs.
This is the unparalleled beauty and excellence of the Deen of Islam, that Allah Ta‘ala did not only send His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as a source of guidance for the ummah, but He also blessed him with the knowledge of the events that will unravel in the world before Qiyaamah so that his guidance will encompass the challenges of all times.
Hence, we find the finest details being recorded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith, which describe the close and distant challenges that the ummah will encounter after the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Among these fitnahs are the minor and major signs of Qiyaamah.
Hazrat Amr bin Akhtab (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) stood in the musjid and began to inform us of the events that will occur before Qiyaamah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) ascended the mimbar after the Fajr Salaah and spoke till the time of the Zuhr Salaah. After performing the Zuhr Salaah, he again ascended the mimbar and continued to speak until the Asr Salaah. After completing the Asr Salaah, he again ascended the mimbar and spoke until sunset. In that gathering on that day, he informed us of what was to transpire in the ummah till the day of Qiyaamah. Hence, those of us who remembered the most are the most knowledgeable of us regarding the signs of Qiyaamah.” (Saheeh Muslim #2892)
The Ahaadith discussing the signs of Qiyaamah are numerous. Certain signs have been clearly described in great detail, while other signs have been described in brief. Hence, when any sign which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had explained in detail manifested before the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), it was as though the mubaarak words of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had become a reality before their eyes.
The Ulama have classified the signs of Qiyaamah into two categories; the minor signs of Qiyaamah and the major signs of Qiyaamah. From the minor signs, the very first sign to appear was the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), while the first major sign to appear will be the emergence of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in the world.
Insha Allah, in the parts to follow, we will be discussing the minor and major signs of Qiyaamah that have been outlined in the Mubaarak Ahaadith, together with explaining the meanings of the Ahaadith wherever required.
