Al-Qur'an Surah Al-A'raf Verse 187

Mufti Taqi Usmani

They ask you about the Hour (i.e. the Doomsday), “When is it due to happen?” Say, “Its knowledge is only with my Lord. No one can unfold it except He at its time. It shall weigh heavy in the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you but suddenly.” They ask you as if you were aware of it. Say, “Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ regarding the Hour, “When will it be?” Say, “That knowledge is only with my Lord. He alone will reveal it when the time comes. It is too tremendous for the heavens and the earth and will only take you by surprise.” They ask you as if you had full knowledge of it. Say, “That knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

They ask you [O Prophet] about the Hour, “When will it come to pass?” Say, “Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None can reveal its due time except Him. It will be heavy on the heavens and earth; it will only come to you by surprise.” They ask you as if you are well-aware of it. Say, “Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.”

A. J. Arberry

They will question thee concerning the Hour, when it shall berth. Say: 'The knowledge of it is only with my Lord; none shall reveal it at its proper time, but He. Heavy is it in the heavens and the earth; it will not come on you but suddenly!' They will question thee, as though thou art well-informed of it. Say: 'The knowledge of it is only with God, but most men know not.'

Abdul Haleem

They ask you [Prophet] about the Hour, ‘When will it happen?’ Say, ‘My Lord alone has knowledge of it: He alone will reveal when its time will come, a time that is momentous in both the heavens and earth. All too suddenly it will come upon you.’ They ask you about it as if you were eager [to find out]. Say, ‘God alone has knowledge of [when it will come], though most people do not realize it.’

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

They ask thee concerning the Hour, when will its coming be? Say thou: knowledge thereof is with my Lord only: none shall disclose it at its time buthe; heavy it is in the heavens and the earth; it shall not come upon you except on a sudden. They ask thee as though thou wert familiar therewith. Say thou: knowledge thereof is with Allah only; but most of men know not.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

They ask thee about the (final) Hour - when will be its appointed time? Say; "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone); None but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth. Only, all of a sudden will it come to you." They ask thee as if thou Wert eager in search thereof; Say; "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not."

Abul Ala Maududi

They ask you concerning the Hour, when will its coming be? Say: 'The knowledge of it is with my Lord alone: none but He will disclose it at its time. That will weigh heavily on the heavens and the earth; and it shall not come to you other than all of a sudden.' They ask you - as if you are eagerly inquisitive about it - concerning it. Say to them: 'The knowledge of it is with none except Allah. But most people are unaware of this reality.'

Ahmed Ali

They ask you about the Hour: "When is its determined time?" Say: "Only my Lord has the knowledge. No one can reveal it except He. Oppressive will it be for the heavens and the earth. When it comes, it will come unawares." They ask you about it as if you were in the know. You tell them: "Only God has the knowledge." But most people do not know.

Ahmed Raza Khan

They ask you about the Resurrection, as to when it is destined; say, “Indeed its knowledge is with my Lord; only He will manifest it at its time; it is proving cumbersome in the heavens and the earth; it will not come to you except suddenly”; they question you as if you have researched it deeply; say, “Indeed its knowledge is with Allah only but most people do not know.”

Ali Quli Qarai

They question you concerning the Hour, when will it set in? Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord: none except Him shall manifest it at its time. It will weigh heavy on the heavens and the earth. It will not overtake you but suddenly.’ They ask you as if you were in the know of it. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.’

Ali Ünal

They ask you about the Hour, when it will come to anchor. Say: "It is my Lord alone Who knows it; none will disclose it in its time but He. It weighs heavily on the heavens and the earth. It does not come to you except unawares." They ask you as if you (being a Messenger required or meant that you) were well-informed of it. Say: "It is indeed God alone Who knows it, but most people have no knowledge (of this)."

Amatul Rahman Omar

They ask you about the Hour, when it will come to pass. Say, `Surely, the knowledge thereof is with my Lord. He alone will reveal it at its proper time. It shall be heavy on the heavens and on the earth. It shall not come upon you but all of a sudden.´ They ask you (about it) as if you were curiously solicitous about it (from Allâh). Say, `The knowledge of it is only with Allâh, but most people do not know (this fact).´

English Literal

They ask/question you about the Hour/Resurrection , when (is) its anchor/landing , say: "But its knowledge (is) at my Lord, not (no one) uncovers/reveals it to its time except He, (it) became heavy in the skies/space and the earth/Planet Earth, (it) does not come to you except suddenly/unexpectantly." They ask/question you, as (though) you (are) well acquainted/asking persistently (knowledgeable) about it, say: "But its knowledge (is) at God, and but most of the people do not know ."

Faridul Haque

They ask you about the Resurrection, as to when it is destined; say, "Indeed its knowledge is with my Lord; only He will manifest it at its time; it is proving cumbersome in the heavens and the earth; it will not come to you except suddenly"; they question you as if you have researched it deeply; say, "Indeed its knowledge is with Allah only but most people do not know."

Hamid S. Aziz

They will ask you about the (final) Hour, for what time it is fixed? - Say, "The knowledge thereof is only with my Lord; none shall manifest it at its time but He. Heavy is its burden in the heavens and the earth. It will come to you suddenly and unawares." They question you as though you were informed of it (or eagerly searching for it). Say," Knowledge thereof is with Allah only, but most people know not."

Hilali & Khan

They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): "When will be its appointed time?" Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He. Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden." They ask you as if you have a good knowledge of it. Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone) but most of mankind know not."

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Whomsoever Allah leaves in error, there is no guide for him. And He leaves them alone in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

They ask you about the hour, when will be its taking place? Say: The knowledge of it is only with my Lord; none but He shall manifest it at its time; it will be momentous in the heavens and the earth; it will not come on you but of a sudden. They ask you as if you were solicitous about it. Say: Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

They ask thee of the (destined) Hour, when will it come to port. Say: Knowledge thereof is with my Lord only. He alone will manifest it at its proper time. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It cometh not to you save unawares. They question thee as if thou couldst be well informed thereof. Say: Knowledge thereof is with Allah only, but most of mankind know not.

Muhammad Sarwar

They ask you (Muhammad), "When will the Day of Judgment be?" Tell them, "My Lord knows best. It is He who has appointed its time. It will be a grave hour both in the heavens and the earth. It will only approach you suddenly." They say, "It seems that you know about the coming of the Day of Judgment." Tell them, "Only God knows about it and most people do not know."

Qaribullah & Darwish

They ask you about the Hour and when it is to come. Say: 'None knows except my Lord. He alone will reveal it at the appointed time. It is heavy in the heavens and earth. It will not come to you but suddenly' They will question you, as though you had full knowledge of it. Say: 'Its knowledge is with Allah, though most people are unaware'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): "When will be its appointed time" Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He. Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden." They ask you as if you have a good knowledge of it. Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone), but most of mankind know not."

Wahiduddin Khan

They ask you [Prophet] about the Last Hour, "When will it come?" Say, "Knowledge about it rests only with my Lord; He alone will reveal when its time will come, it lies heavy on the heavens and the earth: it will suddenly overtake you." They will put questions to you as though you had full knowledge of it. Say, "Knowledge about it rests only with God, though most people do not realize it."

Talal Itani

They ask you about the Hour, “When will it come?” Say, “Knowledge of it rests with my Lord. None can reveal its coming except He. It weighs heavily on the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except suddenly.” They ask you as if you are responsible for it. Say, “Knowledge of it rests with God,” but most people do not know.

Tafsir jalalayn

They, that is the people of Mecca, will question you about the Hour, the Resurrection, when it shall come to pass. Say, to them; `The knowledge of, when, it, shall be, is only with my Lord. He alone shall reveal it, manifest it, at its proper time (li-waqtih; the lm here functions as f, `at'). It weighs heavily, tremendously, in the heavens and the earth, upon their inhabitants, because of its awesomeness. It will not come on you save all of a sudden'. They will question you, as if you were preoccupied with, obsessed with inquiring about, it, such that you have come to acquire knowledge of it. Say; `Knowledge of it is only with God (innam `ilmuh `inda'Llhi is for emphasis), but most people do not know', that knowledge of it lies with God, exalted be He.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Last Hour and its Portents

Allah said here,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ

They ask you about the Hour,

just as He said in another Ayah,

يَسْـَلُكَ النَّاسُ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ

People ask you concerning the Hour. (33;63)

It was said that this Ayah was revealed about the Quraysh or the Jews, although it appears that it was about the Quraysh, because this Ayah was revealed in Makkah. The Quraysh used to ask about the Last Hour, because they used to deny it and discount its coming. For instance, Allah said in another Ayah,

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَى هَـذَا الْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ

And they say;"When will be this promise (the torment or the Day of Resurrection), if you speak the truth!" (10;48)

and,

يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِينَ لَا يُوْمِنُونَ بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ أَلَا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُمَارُونَ فَى السَّاعَةِ لَفِى ضَلَـلَ بَعِيدٍ

Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth. Verily, those who dispute concerning the Hour are certainly in error far away. (42;18)

Allah said here (that the Quraysh asked),

أَيَّانَ مُرْسَاهَا

"When will be its appointed time!"

According to Ali bin Abi Talhah who reported this from Ibn Abbas,

in reference to its commencement.

They asked about the Hour's appointed term and when the end of this world will begin;

قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَا إِلاَّ هُوَ
..

Say;"The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He."

Allah commanded His Messenger that when asked about the appointed term of the Last Hour, he referred its knowledge to Allah, the Exalted. Only Allah knows the Last Hour's appointed term and when it will certainly occur, and none besides Him has this knowledge,
.
ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالَارْضِ

Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth.

Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mar said that Qatadah commented on this Ayah,

"Its knowledge is heavy on the residents of the heavens and earth, they do not have knowledge in it."

Also, Ma`mar said that Al-Hasan commented on this Ayah,

"When the Last Hour comes, it will be heavy on the residents of the heavens and earth."

Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn Abbas explained this Ayah, saying,

"All creatures will suffer its heaviness on the Day of Resurrection."

Ibn Jurayj also said about this Ayah,

"When it commences, the heavens will be torn, the stars will scatter all over, the sun will be wound round (thus losing its light), the mountains will be made to pass away and all of which Allah spoke of will occur. This is the meaning of its burden being heavy."

As-Suddi said that,
ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالَارْض
(Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth),

means, its knowledge is hidden in the heavens and earth, and none, not even a close angel or a sent Messenger has knowledge of its appointed time.

لَا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلااَّ بَغْتَةً

It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden.

indicating that the Hour will start all of a sudden, while they are unaware.

Qatadah said,

"Allah has decided that,
لَا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلااَّ بَغْتَةً
(It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden).

He then said, "We were informed that Allah's Prophet said,

إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ تَهِيجُ بِالنَّاسِ وَالرَّجُلُ يُصْلِحُ حَوْضَهُ وَالرَّجُلُ يَسْقِي مَاشِيَتَهُ وَالرَّجُلُ يُقِمُ سِلْعَتَهُ فِي السُّوقِ وَيَخْفِضُ مِيزَانَهُ وَيَرْفَعُه

The Hour will start (suddenly) for the people while one is mending his watering hole, giving water to his cattle, setting his goods in the market or lowering his scale and raising it (selling and buying)."'

Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

لَاا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا فَإِذَ طَلَعَتْ فَرَاهَا النَّاسُ امَنُوا أَجْمَعُونَ فَذَلِكَ حِينَ لَاا يَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَانُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ امَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمَانِهَا خَيْرًا

وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَقَدْ نَشَرَ الرَّجُلَنِ ثَوْبَهُمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَلَ يَتَبَايَعَانِهِ وَلَا يَطْوِيَانِهِ

وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَقَدِ انْصَرَفَ الرَّجُلُ بِلَبَنِ لِقْحَتِهِ فَلَ يَطْعَمُهُ

وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَهُو يَلِيطُ حَوْضَهُ فَلَ يَسْقِي فِيهِ

وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَالرَّجُلُ قَدْ رَفَعَ أَكْلَتَهُ إِلَى فِيهِ فَلَ يَطْعَمُهَا

The Hour will not commence until the sun rises from the west. When it rises (from the west) and the people see it, then, all people will believe. However, this is when faith does not benefit a soul that did not believe beforehand nor earned good in faith.

The Hour will (all of a sudden) commence while two men have spread a garment between them, and they will neither have time to conclude the transaction nor to fold the garment.

The Hour will commence after a man milked his animal, but he will not have time to drink it.

The Hour will start when a man is making his watering hole (for his animals), but will not have time to make use of the pool.

And the Hour will commence while a man has raised his hand with a bite to his mouth, but will not eat it.

Then Allah said,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْهَا

They ask you as if you have good knowledge of it.

Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas commented on the Ayah,

"As if you have good relations and friendship with them!"

Ibn Abbas said,

"When the people (pagans of Quraysh) asked the Prophet about the Last Hour, they did so in a way as if Muhammad was their friend! Allah revealed to him that its knowledge is with Him Alone and He did not inform a close angel or Messenger of it."

The correct explanation for this Ayah is, as narrated from Mujahid, through Ibn Abi Najih,
يَسْأَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْهَا
(They ask you as if you have Hafi of it),

means, `as if you had asked about its time and so its knowledge is with you.'

Allah said,

قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ اللّهِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ



Say;"The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone), but most of mankind know not."

When Jibril came in the shape of a Bedouin man to teach the people matters of their religion, he sat next to the Messenger of Allah asking him as if to learn. Jibril asked the Messenger about Islam, then about Iman (faith) then about Ihsan (Excellence in the religion). He asked next, "When will the Hour start?"

Allah's Messenger said,

مَا الْمَسْوُولُ عَنْهَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنَ السَّايِل

He who is asked about it has no more knowledge of it than the questioner.

Therefore, the Prophet was saying, `I have no more knowledge in it than you (O Jibril), nor does anyone have more knowledge in it than anyone else.'

The Prophet then recited the Ayah,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ

Verily, Allah, with Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour. (31;34)

In another narration, Jibril asked the Prophet about the portents of the Hour, and the Prophet mentioned them. The Prophet also said in this narration,

فِي خَمْسٍ لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ إِلاَّ الله

Five, their knowledge is only with Allah, then recited this Ayah (31;34).

In response to the Prophet's answers after each question, Jibril would say, "You have said the truth."

This made the Companions wonder about this questioner who would ask a question and attest to every answer he was given. When Jibril went away, the Messenger of Allah said to the Companions,

هَذَا جِبْرِيلُ أَتَاكُمْ يُعَلِّمُكُمْ دِينَكُم

This is Jibril, he came to teach you matters of your religion.

In yet another narration, the Prophet commented,

وَمَا أَتَانِي فِي صُورَةٍ إِلاَّ عَرَفْتُهُ فِيهَا إِلاَّ صُورَتُهُ هَذِه

I recognized him (Jibril) in every shape he came to me in, except this one.

Muslim recorded that Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said;

"When the Bedouins used to come to the Prophet, they used to ask him about the Hour. The Prophet would answer them, while pointing at the youngest person among them,

إِنْ يَعِشْ هَذَا لَمْ يُدْرِكْهُ الْهَرَمُ حَتَّى قَامَتْ عَلَيْكُمْ سَاعَتُكُم

If this (young man) lives, he will not become old before your Hour starts.

The Prophet meant the end of their life that introduces them to the life in Barzakh, which is between this life and the Hereafter.

Muslim recorded that Anas said that a man asked Allah's Messenger about the Hour, and the Messenger answered,

إِنْ يَعِشْ هَذَا الْغُلَمُ فَعَسَى أَنْ لَا يُدْرِكَهُ الْهَرَمُ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَة

If this young boy lives, it might be that he will not become old before the Hour starts.

Only Muslim collected this Hadith.

Jabir bin Abdullah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, one month before he died,

تَسْأَلُونِي عَنِ السَّاعَةِ وَإِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ اللهِ وَأُقْسِمُ بِاللهِ مَا عَلَى ظَهْرِ الاَْرْضِ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ نَفْسٍ مَنْفُوسَةٍ تَأْتِي عَلَيْهَا مِايَةُ سَنَة

You keep asking me about the Hour, when its knowledge is with Allah. I swear by Allah that there is no living soul on the face of the earth now will be alive a hundred years from now.

Muslim collected this Hadith.

A similar Hadith is recorded in Two Sahihs from Ibn Umar, but he commented,

"The Messenger of Allah meant that his generation will be finished by that time reach its appointed term."

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said that the Prophet said,

لَقِيتُ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى فَتَذَاكَرُوا أَمْرَ السَّاعَةِ قَالَ فَرَدُّوْا أَمْرَهُمْ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيهِ السَّلَمُ فَقَالَ لَا عِلْمَ لِي بِهَا فَرَدُّوا أَمْرَهُمْ إِلَى مُوسَى فَقَالَ لَا عِلْمَ لِي بِهَا فَرَدُّوا أَمْرَهُمْ إِلَى عِيسَى فَقَالَ عِيسَى أَمَّا وَجْبَتُهَا فَلَ يَعْلَمُ بِهَا أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

During the night of Isra', I met Ibrahim, Musa and `Isa. They mentioned the matter of the Last Hour, and they asked Ibrahim about it, who said, `I do not have knowledge of it.' They asked Musa about it and he said, `I have no knowledge of it.' They then asked `Isa about it, and he said, `As for when it will occur, only Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, knows that.

وَفِيمَا عَهِدَ إِلَيَّ رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَّ الدَّجَّالَ خَارِجٌ قَالَ وَمَعِي قَضِيبَانِ فَإِذَا رَانِي ذَابَ كَمَا يَذُوبُ الرَّصَاصُ قَالَ فَيُهْلِكُهُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِذَا رَانِي حَتَّى إِنَّ الشَّجَرَ وَالْحَجَرَ يَقُولُ يَا مُسْلِمُ إِنَّ تَحْتِي كَافِرًا فَتَعَالَ فَاقْتُلْهُ قَالَ فَيُهْلِكُهُمُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ النَّاسُ إِلَى بِلَدِهِمْ وَأَوْطَانِهِمْ

My Lord has conveyed to me that the Dajjal (False Messiah) will appear, and I will have two staffs (spears) with me. When he sees me, he will dissolve just as lead is dissolved. Allah will destroy him when he sees me, and the tree and the stone will say, `O Muslim! There is a disbeliever under (behind) me, so come and kill him.' Allah will destroy them (the Dajjal and his army), and the people will safely go back to their lands and areas.

فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ يَخْرُجُ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنْسِلُونَ فَيَطَأُونَ بِلَدَهُمْ لَا يَأْتُون عَلَى شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ أَهْلَكُوهُ وَلَا يَمُرُّونَ عَلَى مَاءٍ إِلاَّ شَرِبُوه قَالَ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ النَّاسُ إِليَّ فَيَشْكُونَهُمْ فَأَدْعُو اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيُهْلِكُهُمْ وَيُمِيتُهُمْ حَتَّى تَجْوَى الاَْرْضُ مِنْ نَتْنِ رِيحِهِمْ أَيْ تُنْتِنُ قَالَ
فَيُنْزِلُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الْمَطَرَ فَيَجْتَرِفُ أَجْسَادَهُمْ حَتَّى يَقْذِفَهُمْ فِي الْبَحْرِ

Thereafter, Gog and Magog will appear, and they will be swarming from every mound, sweeping over the earth and destroying everything they pass by. They will drink every water source they pass. The people will come to me complaining about Gog and Magog and will invoke Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, against them, and Allah will bring death to all of them until the earth rots with their stinking odor. Allah will send down rain on them and the rain will carry their corpses, until it throws them in the sea...

قَالَ فَفِيمَا عَهِدَ إِلَيَّ رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ إِذَا كَانَ كَذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ السَّاعَةَ كَالْحَامِلِ المُتِمِّ لَاا يَدْرِي أَهْلُهَا مَتَى تُفَاجِيُهُمْ بِوَلَاادَتِهَا لَيْلًا أَوْ نَهَارًا

My Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored has conveyed to me that when this occurs, the Hour will be just like the pregnant women when the term of pregnancy is full, her family does not know when she will surprise them and give birth, whether by night or by day.

Ibn Majah also collected a similar Hadith.

Therefore these are the greatest of the Messengers but they did not have knowledge of the appointed term of the Hour. They asked `Isa about it and he spoke about its Signs, since he will descend in the last generations of this Ummah, implementing the Law of Allah's Messenger, killing the Dajjal and destroying Gog and Magog people by the blessing of his supplication. `Isa merely informed them of the knowledge Allah gave him on this subject.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Hudhayfah said,

"The Messenger of Allah was asked about the Hour and he said,

عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَا إِلاَّ هُوَ وَلَكِنْ سَأُخْبِرُكُمْ بِمَشَارِيطِهَا وَمَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا فِتْنَةً وَهَرَجًا

Its knowledge is with my Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored, none can reveal its time except Him. However, I will tell you about its portents and the signs that precede it. Before it commences, there will be Fitnah (trials) and Harj.

They asked, `O Allah's Messenger! We know the meaning of the Fitnah, so what is the Harj?'

He said,

بِلِسَانِ الْحَبَشَةِ الْقَتْل

It means killing, in the Language of the Ethiopians.

He then said,

وَيُلْقَى بَيْنَ النَّاسِ التَّنَاكُرُ فَلَ يَكَادُ أَحَدٌ يَعْرِفُ أَحَدًا

Isolation and loneliness will be common between people, and therefore, almost no one will be able to recognize any other."

None among the collectors of the six Sunan collected this Hadith using this chain of narration.

Tariq bin Shihab said that;

the Messenger of Allah kept mentioning the Last Hour (for people kept asking about it), until this Ayah was revealed,
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَاهَا
(They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection);"When will be its appointed time").

An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith, which has a strong chain.

Therefore, this unlettered Prophet, the chief of the Messengers and their Seal, Muhammad, may Allah's peace and blessings be on him, Muhammad, the Prophet of mercy, repentance, Al-Malhmah (great demise of the disbelievers), Al-`Aqib (who came after many Prophets), Al-Muqaffi (the last of a succession) and Al-Hashir (below whom will all people be gathered (on the Day of Gathering) Muhammad who said, as collected in the Sahih from Anas and Sahl bin Sa`d,

بُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةَ كَهَاتَيْن

My sending and the Hour are like this,

and he joined his index and middle fingers. Yet, he was commanded to defer knowledge of the Last Hour to Allah if he was asked about it,

قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ اللّهِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ


Say;"The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most of mankind know not.