### The Signs of the Hour and Its Nearness
Belief in the Day of Judgment and the signs of the Hour is a fundamental part of Islamic faith. The **Hour** refers to the moment when the world as we know it comes to an end, and the afterlife begins. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has informed us of certain signs and events that will precede the Hour, acting as indicators that the end is near. These signs are divided into **minor** and **major** categories, some of which have already occurred, while others are yet to come. However, all of these events are certain to happen as foretold in the prophetic traditions.
#### Definition of the Signs of the Hour
The **Signs of the Hour** are the indicators that precede the Day of Judgment, signaling its approach. Both the **Qur'an** and the **Hadiths** (the sayings of the Prophet) mention these signs. Allah says in the Qur'an:
> “Do they then await except that the Hour should come upon them unexpectedly? But already there have come [some of] its indications." (Surah Muhammad, 47:18)
This verse highlights that the Hour will come suddenly, but its signs have already begun to appear. The signs are divided into two main categories:
1. **Minor signs**: These are the signs that began to appear during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and continue to manifest until today.
2. **Major signs**: These are significant events that will occur shortly before the actual Hour, signaling that the Day of Judgment is extremely close.
#### The Minor Signs of the Hour
The **minor signs** are those indicators that started appearing during the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), some of which have occurred after his death, and others continue to appear today. These signs may not be dramatic, but they point to societal, moral, and religious changes that signal the approaching Hour. Among the most notable minor signs are:
1. **The sending of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)**: One of the earliest minor signs is the very mission of Prophet Muhammad, who said:
> "I and the Hour have been sent like this," and he held up two fingers, indicating their closeness.
2. **The splitting of the moon**: This is referred to in the Qur'an as a sign of the Hour. Allah says:
> “The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split [in two]." (Surah Al-Qamar, 54:1)
3. **The spread of trials and tribulations (fitnah)**: The Prophet (PBUH) warned:
> "There will be tribulations like pieces of a dark night. A man will wake up a believer and by evening, he will be a disbeliever, or he will go to sleep a believer and wake up a disbeliever." (Hadith)
The spread of moral, social, and religious upheavals is a sign of the approaching Hour.
4. **The spread of immorality**: The widespread practice of immorality, particularly **fornication** and **adultery**, is a sign of the Hour. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "The Hour will not come until obscenity and immorality spread, and until people sever their ties of kinship and treat their neighbors badly." (Reported by Ahmad)
5. **The spread of usury (riba)**: Another minor sign is the prevalence of usury and unlawful financial transactions. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "A time will come upon people when they will not care about where they earn their wealth—whether from lawful or unlawful means." (Bukhari)
6. **The disappearance of knowledge and the spread of ignorance**: The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "Among the signs of the Hour is the disappearance of knowledge and the spread of ignorance." (Bukhari and Muslim)
The disappearance of knowledge refers not only to the death of scholars but also to the general decline in religious and worldly knowledge.
7. **Competing in building tall structures**: In the famous Hadith of Angel Jibril (Gabriel), when asked about the signs of the Hour, the Prophet (PBUH) mentioned:
> "When you see barefoot, naked, destitute shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings." (Muslim)
This is evident in modern times, with towering skyscrapers being built across the world.
8. **Increase in killing**: The Prophet (PBUH) also foretold an increase in senseless killing. He said:
> "By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, a time will surely come when the killer will not know why he has killed, and the one killed will not know why he was killed." (Muslim)
9. **Time passing quickly**: Another sign is the speeding up of time. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "The Hour will not come until time passes rapidly." (Bukhari)
#### The Major Signs of the Hour
The **major signs** are those extraordinary events that, once they begin to appear, indicate that the Hour is very close. These signs are cosmic and supernatural, and they will affect all of humanity. Among the most significant major signs are:
1. **The emergence of the Mahdi**: The Mahdi is a righteous leader from the descendants of the Prophet (PBUH), who will spread justice on earth after it has been filled with oppression. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with oppression and tyranny." (Abu Dawud)
2. **The appearance of the Antichrist (Al-Masih Al-Dajjal)**: The Antichrist is a false messiah who will claim divinity and perform great miracles to deceive people. He is one of the greatest trials of the end times. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "There has been no prophet but he warned his people against the one-eyed liar (the Dajjal)." (Muslim)
3. **The descent of Jesus (Isa), son of Mary (PBUH)**: Among the major signs is the return of Prophet **Jesus** (PBUH) to earth to defeat the Antichrist and establish justice. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "By Him in Whose hand is my soul, surely the son of Mary (Jesus) will soon descend among you as a just ruler." (Bukhari)
4. **The emergence of Gog and Magog (Yajuj and Majuj)**: Gog and Magog are two wicked nations that will emerge in the end times, wreaking havoc on the earth. Allah says:
> "Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend." (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:96)
5. **The rising of the sun from the west**: One of the major signs is that the sun will rise from the west instead of the east, and when this happens, the doors of repentance will be closed. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "The Hour will not come until the sun rises from the west." (Bukhari)
6. **The appearance of the Smoke (Dukhan)**: Allah refers to the smoke as one of the major signs in the Qur'an:
> "So watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke." (Surah Al-Dukhan, 44:10)
7. **The Beast of the Earth (Dabbat al-Ard)**: A strange creature will emerge and speak to people, distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked. Allah says:
> "And when the Word befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth, speaking to them, [saying] that the people were, of Our signs, not certain [in faith]." (Surah An-Naml, 27:82)
8. **The great fire that will gather people**: The last of the major signs is a fire that will emerge from Yemen, driving people to their final gathering place. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
> "The last of the signs to appear is a fire that will emerge from Yemen and drive people to their place of gathering." (Muslim)
#### The Nearness of the Hour
The nearness of the Hour is a certain matter. Many of the minor signs have already appeared, starting from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and others are becoming evident in our present time. With the appearance of these signs, the believer is reminded that the Day of Judgment is approaching, and it is crucial to prepare for this great day.