Mohamedarif Suleman (Nairobi, Kenya)
This week; let us look at some of the signs that are expected to manifest before the coming of the Day of Resurrection. Most important, in reading this article is the derivation of the opinion as to what signs one may think are already before us today, lt is also imperative to understand that most of these signs are negative; and the fundamental question that we should ask ourselves is whether we are involved in the perpetration of such signs.
The article has been based on “Life After Death – Part V”; Ja’fari Observer, Vol, Xl No. 6, February 1999, which traces the Hadith to the Prophet (SAW) who cited the following as signs to come:
1. People will neglect prayer and will follow their own views which will appeal to them. They will respect the wealthy people and will sell the religion for Worldly benefits. At that time, the heart and soul of the believer will melt as salt melts in water;
2. Kings and rulers will be tyramiical;
3. Evil will be considered virtuous and virtue, evil;
4. Embezzlers will be trusted and the trustworthy will be thought of as untrustworthy, and liars will be vouched honest and the truthful one will be considered a liar;
5. Women will be rulers, and concubines will be consulted;
6. Children will sit upon the pulpit;
7. Women will become their husbands’ partners in trade;
3. Virtuous people will remain sorrowful and the poor will be dishonoured;
9. Markets will come nearer;
10. People’s hearts will till with fear;
11. Muslims will be dyed in things coming from the East and those from the West;
12. People will not have mercy on little ones and will not respect old ones, and they will not pardon anyone who commits a mistake. Their bodies will be of human beings but their hearts will be of Satan;
13. Men will satisfy their lust with both men and women; while women and minor boys will be mounted upon like women;
14. Men will look like women and women like men;
15. Women will ride saddles, and they will be cursed;
16. Mosques will be decorated as are synagogues and cathedrals;
17. Copies of Qur’an will be beautified;
18. Minarets of mosques will be high and the lines of people standing in the prayers will increase but their hearts will be hating each other;
19. Men will use golden ornaments and will wear silk and will use cheetah skins;
20. Interest will be prevalent everywhere;
21. People will deal with the help of backbiting and bribe;
22. Religion will be suppressed and worldly affairs will be given importance;
23. Divorce will increase;
24. There will be female singers and musical instruments openly used, and these will rule over the People;
25. The rich will go to pilgrimage for recreation, and the middle class for trade, and the poor to show off;
26. People will learn Qur’an for other than Allah and will treat it as a musical instrument by singing it;
27. People will study religion for other than Allah;
28. The number of illegitimate children will increase;
29. Poverty will be widespread and people will be proud of their clothes;
30. It will rain at wrong times;
31. People will like chess and gambling apparatus and musical instruments and they will dislike enjoining the good and forbidding the evil;
