Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Ten Major Signs of Qiyaamah
Just as there are many minor signs of Qiyaamah recorded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith, similarly there are many major signs that have also been mentioned in the Mubaarak Ahaadith. The major signs are important events which will occur in the world prior to Qiyaamah and will herald the closeness of Qiyaamah.The Muhadditheen have classified the coming of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as the first of the major signs of Qiyaamah. (Ishaa’ah pg. 191)
From among the major signs of Qiyaamah, there are ten major signs that have been highlighted by Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) in the following Hadith. If one has to reflect over these ten major signs, one will realize that they are of such a magnitude that their effects will engulf the entire world or a great part of the world.
Hazrat Huzaifah bin Usaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “On one occasion, Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to us, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), while we were engaged in a discussion. Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) enquired from us, “What are you discussing?” We replied, “We are discussing the occurrence of Qiyaamah.” Hearing this, Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Indeed, Qiyaamah will never occur until you see before it ten major signs.”
“Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then mentioned the ten major signs as: The smoke (this refers to a type of mist or smoke that will descend onto the land from the sky through which Muslims will catch a cold and the kuffaar will fall unconscious), the emergence of Dajjaal, the emergence of the beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the descent of Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam), the coming of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj, the three major sinkings of the earth; a sinking in the east, a sinking in the west and a sinking in the Arabian Peninsula. The final sign will be a fire that will break out in Yemen and drive people towards the plains of resurrection (Syria).” (Saheeh Muslim #2901)
From the ten major signs mentioned in this Hadith, the first to occur will be the emergence of Dajjaal.
The Emergence of Dajjaal
It is reported in the Hadith that from the beginning of time until the coming of Qiyaamah, the trial of Dajjaal will be among the greatest of trials that the world will ever witness. Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “From the creation of Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) till the day of Qiyaamah, there is no trial which will be greater than the trial of Dajjaal.” (Mu’jam Kabeer #451)
Since Dajjaal will emerge in this ummah – the ummah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – they will have to contend with this colossal fitnah. The extent of Dajjaal’s worldwide fitnah can be gauged from the fact that every Nabi informed his ummah regarding the emergence of Dajjaal and the great harm that he will cause in the world.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that on one occasion, Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Indeed I am warning you of Dajjaal, and there was no Nabi except that he warned his people of Dajjaal, and even Nabi Nooh (‘alaihis salaam) warned his people about Dajjaal. However, I will tell you something additional regarding Dajjaal which no Nabi told his people – know well that Dajjaal has a defect in one eye, and Allah Ta‘ala is not one who has a defect in one eye (i.e. He is free of all defects).” (Sunan Tirmizi #2235)
Who is Dajjaal?
Some people subscribe to the view that Dajjaal is a world system while others feel that he is a jinn. There is yet a third group who feel that Dajjaal is a hybrid of man and jinn. However, the belief of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah is that Dajjaal is a specific human who will emerge at a specific time in the world. The belief of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah is established from many authentic Ahaadith of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Insha Allah, in the coming parts, we will discuss the Mubaarak Ahaadith through which the belief of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah is established.
