Praise be to ALLAH (The Glorified and Exalted).
The following includes some of the Minor Signs toward the Last Hour.
1) The sending of the final Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his death.
Shu’ba reported:
I heard Qatada and Abu Tayyab narrating that both of them heard Aanas as narrating that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I and the Last Hour have been sent like this,” and Shu’ba drew his forefinger and middle finger near each other while narrating it.
2) Time will pass quickly. This can refer to time passing rapidly in the literal sense or metaphorically speaking, in that people will perceive that time goes by quickly.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The Hour will not begin until time passes quickly, so a year will be like a month, and a month will be like a week, and a week will be like a day, and a day will be like an hour, and an hour will be like the burning of a braid of palm leaves.” [Ahmad no. 10560]
3) There will be a great deal of ignorance in regards to religious knowledge of Islam and general knowledge. Religious knowledge will disappear because the
scholars will be removed from the Earth. This also implies that unlearned men will give fatwas (Islamic rulings) that will mislead people.
Qatida reported that Aanas b. Malik said:
May I not narrate to you a hadith which I heard from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) which no one would narrate to you after me who would have personally heard it from him (the Holy Prophet) (as I have the good fortune to do so)? –“It is from the signs of the Last Hour that knowledge would be taken away, ignorance would prevail upon (the world)…” [Muslim: Book 34: Hadith 6452]
Narrated Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al’ As:
I heard Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, “Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray.” [Bukhari: Book 1: Volume 3: Hadith 100]
4) Ignorant leaders will be prevalent and widespread throughout the world because knowledge in general will vanish. These leaders will not rule according to the tradition of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
It his been narrated through a different chain of transmitters, on the authority of Hudhaifa b. al-Yaman who said, “Messenger of Allah, no doubt, we had an evil time (i.e. the days of Jahiliyya or ignorance) and Allah brought us a good time (i.e. Islamic period) through which we are now living. Will there be a bad time after this good time? He (the Holy Prophet) said…”There will be leaders who will not be led by my guidance and who will not adopt my ways? There will be among them men who will have the hearts of shaytaan [i.e. they are evil] in the bodies of human beings.” I said, “What should I do Messenger of Allah, if I (happen) to live in that time?” He replied, “You will listen to the Amir and carry out his orders; even if your back is flogged and your wealth is snatched, you should listen and obey.” [Muslim: Book 20: Hadith 4554]
Abu Hurayrah reported:
…An inquirer asked, “When there would be the hour (of Doom)?” (Upon this) he (the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The one who is being asked about it is no better informed than the inquirer himself. I, however, narrate some of its signs (and these are)…when you see barefooted, naked, deaf and dumb [i.e. ignorant and foolish persons] as the rulers of the Earth, that is one of the signs of the Doom.”
[Muslim: Book 1: Hadith 6]
5) A great amount of fatness will appear among the people of the world. This means that many persons in the world will be fat in regards to their body size.
This is something that is gaining more attention in modern times as many persons around the world are becoming larger in terms of body size, due to
excessive eating.
Narrated Zahdam bin Mudarrab:
‘Imran bin Hussain said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The best of you (people) are my generation…Then will come some people who will make vows but will not fulfill them; and they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy, and they will give their witness without being asked to give their witness, and fatness will appear among them.” [Bukhari: Book 8: Volume 78: Hadith 686]
6) After the third generation of Muslims, evil generations will follow one after another. They will ignore their religious duties. There will arise only one other
good generation, but its good will be tainted. The following hadith provides more detail:
Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman:
The people used to ask Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the good, but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by them. So I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! We were living in ignorance and in an (extremely) worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e., Islam); will there be any evil after this good?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Will there be any good after that evil?” He replied, “Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)” I asked, “What will be its taint?” He replied, “(There will be) some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of some others.” I asked, "Will there be any evil after that good?” He replied, “Yes, (there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever will respond to their call, will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Will you describe them to us?” He said, “They will be from our own people and will speak our language [i.e. Arabs].” I said, “What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?” He said, “Stick to the group of Muslims and their Imam (ruler).” I said, “If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam (ruler)?” He said, “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite [i.e. eat] the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.” [Bukhari: Book 9: Volume 88: Hadith 206]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The righteous people will vanish, the best first, then the next best, and so on, and there will be left worthless chaff like the chaff of barley or dates, and Allah will not care about them at all.” [al-Jaami’ al-Saheeh, 7934]
7) The mother will give birth to her master. Ibn Hajar explained this to mean that there will be widespread disobedience among children, so that a child will treat his mother as a master treats his slave woman, with negligence and insults. In ancient times, the children were obedient to their parents, especially their mother. This prophecy states that towards the End of Days, the children will demand obedience from their mother. This is something that has occurred and is ongoing.
Abu Hurayrah reported:
An inquirer asked, “When there would be the hour (of Doom)?” (Upon this) he (the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The one who is being asked about it is no better informed than the inquirer himself. I, however, narrate some of its signs (and these are): when you see a slave (woman) [i.e. a mother] giving birth to her master, that is one of the signs of (Doom).” [Muslim: Book 1: Hadith 6]
8) Women will be clothed, yet they will appear naked. This could be taken literally or it can mean that they will not observe proper hijab. For example, the women will wear clothing that hugs the body to such a degree that one can make out their features, therefore they appear naked. This is something that has already occurred and is ongoing. It is said that these women will walk with an enticing gait, and will call the people to immodesty and disobedience in the limits set by Allah.
Abu Hurayrah reported:
Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said this, “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen…women who are clothed yet naked, maa’ilaat mumeelaat walking with an enticing gait (or turning away from righteousness and leading others astray) with their heads like the humps of camels leaning to one side [because of the way they style their hairs]. They will not enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance.” [Muslim: Book 24: Hadith 5310]
9) Widespread zina (fornication and adultery), although it is prohibited. In modern times, both fornication and adultery have become widespread.
Narrated Aanas:
I will narrate to you a hadith I heard from Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and none other than I will tell you of it. I heard Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, “From among the portents of the Hour are the following…zina [fornication/adultery] will prevail…” [Bukhari: Book 7: Volume 62: Hadith 158]
10) The Arabs will compete with each other and with other men in the construction of tall buildings. This is something that has already happened and is ongoing.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said), “When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.” [Bukhari: Book 1: Volume 2: Hadith 47]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The Hour will not be established… till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings…” [Bukhari: Book 9: Volume 88: Hadith 237]
11) The masjids, places of worship, will be built like palaces. This is something that has occurred and is ongoing.
Narrated Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I was not commanded to build lofty masjids [i.e. large, magnificent, and resembling a palace]. Ibn ‘Abbas said: You will certainly adorn them as the Jews and Christians did [i.e. they made their places of worship extravagant in appearance]. [Dawud: Book 2: Hadith 448]
12) There will be many natural disasters. Earthquakes will be the most frequent of these disasters. Some of these earthquakes will strike the lands of the Muslims.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until…earthquakes will be very frequent…” [Bukhari: Book 2: Volume 17: Hadith 146]
13) Muslims will suffer a great deal:
Narrated Abu Musa:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “This people of mine [Muslims] is one to which Mercy is shown [in the Afterlife]…its punishment in this world will be trials, earthquakes, and being killed.” [Dawud: Book 35: Hadith 4265]
14) There will be many corrupt persons calling themselves “Muslim,” but will hold prohibited vices as being permissible. Among the vices that are prohibited is the playing of and listening to music.
Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari:
That he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider zina (fornication/adultery), the wearing of silk [for men], the drinking of alcoholic drinks, and the use of musical instruments, as lawful…” [Bukhari: Book 7: Volume 69: Hadith 494]
15) Some persons claiming to be “Muslim,” will follow the example of Christians and Jews, meaning they will live, behave, and think in similarity to them. This has already occurred and is ongoing.
Narrated Abu Said:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “You will follow the wrong ways of your predecessors so completely and literally that if they should go into the hole of a mastigure [a lizard], you too will go there.” We said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He replied, “Whom else?” (Meaning, of course, the Jews and the Christians.) [Bukhari: Book 4: Volume 56: Hadith 662]
16) Literacy will be widespread [Agreed upon]. In ancient times, persons who were literate were few in number, therefore the majority of mankind depended on scribes to write for them. In modern times, literacy is widespread throughout the entire planet.
17) Musical instruments will be widespread and female singers will be well respected [Agreed upon]. This has already occurred and is ongoing.
18) The Children of Israel will re-occupy the land they lost in ancient times [Agreed upon].
19) Dealing with Riba (interest, usury) will be widespread around the world [Agreed upon]. This has already occurred and is ongoing.
20) A change in the behavior among the people in society, in which a man will treat his wife better than he ever treated his mother. A man will shun his father and hold a friend more dear to himself [Agreed upon]. This type of behavior has already occurred and is ongoing. In ancient times, the parents were honored greatly, but this has changed in modern times.
21) The “Romans” will increase in number and will be favored. The term “Romans” or “Byzantines,” refers to the Westerners. This means that the population in the western lands will be favored with dominance in the world. This may also mean that there population will also be larger in terms of numbers. Yet, the majority of them will remain non-Muslims. Allah will reward them in this life for some of their good deeds because in the Afterlife they will have only punishment.
Mustaurid Qurashi reported:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as saying, “The Last Hour would come when the Romans would form a majority amongst people.” This reached ‘Amr b. al-‘As and he said, “What are these ahadith which are being transmitted from you and which you claim to have heard from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?” Mustaurid said to him, “I stated only that which I heard from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).” Thereupon ‘Amr said, “If you state this (it is true), for they have the power of tolerance amongst people at the time of turmoil, and restore themselves to sanity after trouble, and are good amongst people so far as the destitute and the weak are concerned [i.e. they give in charity generously].” [Muslim: Book 41: Hadith 6926]
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:
…When I (‘Umar Ibn Khattab) saw him (the Prophet) smiling, I sat down. Then I looked around his house, and by Allah, I could not see anything of importance in his house except three hides, so I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Invoke Allah to make your followers rich, for the Persians and the Romans have been made prosperous and they have been given (the pleasures of the world), although they do not worship Allah.’ Thereupon the Prophet sat up as he was reclining and said, “Are you of such an opinion, O the son of Al-Khattab? These are the people who have received the rewards for their good deeds in this world.” I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Ask Allah to forgive me.’
[Bukhari: Book 7: Volume 62: Hadith 119]
22) The Caliphate will be renewed.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Hawalah al-Azdi:
The Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “…when you see the Caliphate has settled in the Holy Land, earthquakes, sorrows and serious matters will have drawn near, and on that day the Last Hour will be nearer to mankind than this hand of mine is to your head.” [Dawud: Book 14: Hadith 2529]
The following includes some of the Minor Signs toward the Last Hour.
1) The sending of the final Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his death.
Shu’ba reported:
I heard Qatada and Abu Tayyab narrating that both of them heard Aanas as narrating that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I and the Last Hour have been sent like this,” and Shu’ba drew his forefinger and middle finger near each other while narrating it.
2) Time will pass quickly. This can refer to time passing rapidly in the literal sense or metaphorically speaking, in that people will perceive that time goes by quickly.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The Hour will not begin until time passes quickly, so a year will be like a month, and a month will be like a week, and a week will be like a day, and a day will be like an hour, and an hour will be like the burning of a braid of palm leaves.” [Ahmad no. 10560]
3) There will be a great deal of ignorance in regards to religious knowledge of Islam and general knowledge. Religious knowledge will disappear because the
scholars will be removed from the Earth. This also implies that unlearned men will give fatwas (Islamic rulings) that will mislead people.
Qatida reported that Aanas b. Malik said:
May I not narrate to you a hadith which I heard from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) which no one would narrate to you after me who would have personally heard it from him (the Holy Prophet) (as I have the good fortune to do so)? –“It is from the signs of the Last Hour that knowledge would be taken away, ignorance would prevail upon (the world)…” [Muslim: Book 34: Hadith 6452]
Narrated Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al’ As:
I heard Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, “Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray.” [Bukhari: Book 1: Volume 3: Hadith 100]
4) Ignorant leaders will be prevalent and widespread throughout the world because knowledge in general will vanish. These leaders will not rule according to the tradition of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
It his been narrated through a different chain of transmitters, on the authority of Hudhaifa b. al-Yaman who said, “Messenger of Allah, no doubt, we had an evil time (i.e. the days of Jahiliyya or ignorance) and Allah brought us a good time (i.e. Islamic period) through which we are now living. Will there be a bad time after this good time? He (the Holy Prophet) said…”There will be leaders who will not be led by my guidance and who will not adopt my ways? There will be among them men who will have the hearts of shaytaan [i.e. they are evil] in the bodies of human beings.” I said, “What should I do Messenger of Allah, if I (happen) to live in that time?” He replied, “You will listen to the Amir and carry out his orders; even if your back is flogged and your wealth is snatched, you should listen and obey.” [Muslim: Book 20: Hadith 4554]
Abu Hurayrah reported:
…An inquirer asked, “When there would be the hour (of Doom)?” (Upon this) he (the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The one who is being asked about it is no better informed than the inquirer himself. I, however, narrate some of its signs (and these are)…when you see barefooted, naked, deaf and dumb [i.e. ignorant and foolish persons] as the rulers of the Earth, that is one of the signs of the Doom.”
[Muslim: Book 1: Hadith 6]
5) A great amount of fatness will appear among the people of the world. This means that many persons in the world will be fat in regards to their body size.
This is something that is gaining more attention in modern times as many persons around the world are becoming larger in terms of body size, due to
excessive eating.
Narrated Zahdam bin Mudarrab:
‘Imran bin Hussain said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The best of you (people) are my generation…Then will come some people who will make vows but will not fulfill them; and they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy, and they will give their witness without being asked to give their witness, and fatness will appear among them.” [Bukhari: Book 8: Volume 78: Hadith 686]
6) After the third generation of Muslims, evil generations will follow one after another. They will ignore their religious duties. There will arise only one other
good generation, but its good will be tainted. The following hadith provides more detail:
Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman:
The people used to ask Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the good, but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by them. So I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! We were living in ignorance and in an (extremely) worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e., Islam); will there be any evil after this good?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Will there be any good after that evil?” He replied, “Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)” I asked, “What will be its taint?” He replied, “(There will be) some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of some others.” I asked, "Will there be any evil after that good?” He replied, “Yes, (there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever will respond to their call, will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Will you describe them to us?” He said, “They will be from our own people and will speak our language [i.e. Arabs].” I said, “What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?” He said, “Stick to the group of Muslims and their Imam (ruler).” I said, “If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam (ruler)?” He said, “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite [i.e. eat] the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.” [Bukhari: Book 9: Volume 88: Hadith 206]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The righteous people will vanish, the best first, then the next best, and so on, and there will be left worthless chaff like the chaff of barley or dates, and Allah will not care about them at all.” [al-Jaami’ al-Saheeh, 7934]
7) The mother will give birth to her master. Ibn Hajar explained this to mean that there will be widespread disobedience among children, so that a child will treat his mother as a master treats his slave woman, with negligence and insults. In ancient times, the children were obedient to their parents, especially their mother. This prophecy states that towards the End of Days, the children will demand obedience from their mother. This is something that has occurred and is ongoing.
Abu Hurayrah reported:
An inquirer asked, “When there would be the hour (of Doom)?” (Upon this) he (the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The one who is being asked about it is no better informed than the inquirer himself. I, however, narrate some of its signs (and these are): when you see a slave (woman) [i.e. a mother] giving birth to her master, that is one of the signs of (Doom).” [Muslim: Book 1: Hadith 6]
8) Women will be clothed, yet they will appear naked. This could be taken literally or it can mean that they will not observe proper hijab. For example, the women will wear clothing that hugs the body to such a degree that one can make out their features, therefore they appear naked. This is something that has already occurred and is ongoing. It is said that these women will walk with an enticing gait, and will call the people to immodesty and disobedience in the limits set by Allah.
Abu Hurayrah reported:
Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said this, “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen…women who are clothed yet naked, maa’ilaat mumeelaat walking with an enticing gait (or turning away from righteousness and leading others astray) with their heads like the humps of camels leaning to one side [because of the way they style their hairs]. They will not enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance.” [Muslim: Book 24: Hadith 5310]
9) Widespread zina (fornication and adultery), although it is prohibited. In modern times, both fornication and adultery have become widespread.
Narrated Aanas:
I will narrate to you a hadith I heard from Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and none other than I will tell you of it. I heard Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, “From among the portents of the Hour are the following…zina [fornication/adultery] will prevail…” [Bukhari: Book 7: Volume 62: Hadith 158]
10) The Arabs will compete with each other and with other men in the construction of tall buildings. This is something that has already happened and is ongoing.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said), “When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.” [Bukhari: Book 1: Volume 2: Hadith 47]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The Hour will not be established… till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings…” [Bukhari: Book 9: Volume 88: Hadith 237]
11) The masjids, places of worship, will be built like palaces. This is something that has occurred and is ongoing.
Narrated Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I was not commanded to build lofty masjids [i.e. large, magnificent, and resembling a palace]. Ibn ‘Abbas said: You will certainly adorn them as the Jews and Christians did [i.e. they made their places of worship extravagant in appearance]. [Dawud: Book 2: Hadith 448]
12) There will be many natural disasters. Earthquakes will be the most frequent of these disasters. Some of these earthquakes will strike the lands of the Muslims.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until…earthquakes will be very frequent…” [Bukhari: Book 2: Volume 17: Hadith 146]
13) Muslims will suffer a great deal:
Narrated Abu Musa:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “This people of mine [Muslims] is one to which Mercy is shown [in the Afterlife]…its punishment in this world will be trials, earthquakes, and being killed.” [Dawud: Book 35: Hadith 4265]
14) There will be many corrupt persons calling themselves “Muslim,” but will hold prohibited vices as being permissible. Among the vices that are prohibited is the playing of and listening to music.
Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari:
That he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider zina (fornication/adultery), the wearing of silk [for men], the drinking of alcoholic drinks, and the use of musical instruments, as lawful…” [Bukhari: Book 7: Volume 69: Hadith 494]
15) Some persons claiming to be “Muslim,” will follow the example of Christians and Jews, meaning they will live, behave, and think in similarity to them. This has already occurred and is ongoing.
Narrated Abu Said:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “You will follow the wrong ways of your predecessors so completely and literally that if they should go into the hole of a mastigure [a lizard], you too will go there.” We said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He replied, “Whom else?” (Meaning, of course, the Jews and the Christians.) [Bukhari: Book 4: Volume 56: Hadith 662]
16) Literacy will be widespread [Agreed upon]. In ancient times, persons who were literate were few in number, therefore the majority of mankind depended on scribes to write for them. In modern times, literacy is widespread throughout the entire planet.
17) Musical instruments will be widespread and female singers will be well respected [Agreed upon]. This has already occurred and is ongoing.
18) The Children of Israel will re-occupy the land they lost in ancient times [Agreed upon].
19) Dealing with Riba (interest, usury) will be widespread around the world [Agreed upon]. This has already occurred and is ongoing.
20) A change in the behavior among the people in society, in which a man will treat his wife better than he ever treated his mother. A man will shun his father and hold a friend more dear to himself [Agreed upon]. This type of behavior has already occurred and is ongoing. In ancient times, the parents were honored greatly, but this has changed in modern times.
21) The “Romans” will increase in number and will be favored. The term “Romans” or “Byzantines,” refers to the Westerners. This means that the population in the western lands will be favored with dominance in the world. This may also mean that there population will also be larger in terms of numbers. Yet, the majority of them will remain non-Muslims. Allah will reward them in this life for some of their good deeds because in the Afterlife they will have only punishment.
Mustaurid Qurashi reported:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as saying, “The Last Hour would come when the Romans would form a majority amongst people.” This reached ‘Amr b. al-‘As and he said, “What are these ahadith which are being transmitted from you and which you claim to have heard from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?” Mustaurid said to him, “I stated only that which I heard from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).” Thereupon ‘Amr said, “If you state this (it is true), for they have the power of tolerance amongst people at the time of turmoil, and restore themselves to sanity after trouble, and are good amongst people so far as the destitute and the weak are concerned [i.e. they give in charity generously].” [Muslim: Book 41: Hadith 6926]
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:
…When I (‘Umar Ibn Khattab) saw him (the Prophet) smiling, I sat down. Then I looked around his house, and by Allah, I could not see anything of importance in his house except three hides, so I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Invoke Allah to make your followers rich, for the Persians and the Romans have been made prosperous and they have been given (the pleasures of the world), although they do not worship Allah.’ Thereupon the Prophet sat up as he was reclining and said, “Are you of such an opinion, O the son of Al-Khattab? These are the people who have received the rewards for their good deeds in this world.” I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Ask Allah to forgive me.’
[Bukhari: Book 7: Volume 62: Hadith 119]
22) The Caliphate will be renewed.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Hawalah al-Azdi:
The Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “…when you see the Caliphate has settled in the Holy Land, earthquakes, sorrows and serious matters will have drawn near, and on that day the Last Hour will be nearer to mankind than this hand of mine is to your head.” [Dawud: Book 14: Hadith 2529]