In the previous epidose, we mentioned a few number of ahadeeth in which the Prophet solla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, mentioned the greater signs of the Day of Judgment together.
However, we must know that there is no explicit texts that mention the order of qappearance of the major signs of the Day of Judgment.
The hadeeth which mention the signs in a group, like those quoted in the previous episode, either use the conjunction “and” or “or.”
In neither case do these conjunctions give any positive indication as to the time ordering of the events. In fact, some of the same hadeeth mention the events in different orderings.
Meanwhile, we are not ignorant and won’t ignore the fact that some narrations mentioned the ordering of the events. Even though the hidden knowledge belongs to Allah alone and He does what he likes.
A narration from Nu’aas bn Sam’aan mentioned the events accordingly; in which the first sign among the major signs is the appearance of Dajjaal, then the descent of Isa(alayhi Salaam) who will kill Dajjaal, then the Yaa’juuj(Gog) and Ma’juuj(Magog) in the time of Isa.
Another narrations mentioned the first to appear among the major signs are so and so, the last to appear are so and so.
This ikhtilaaf(differences) on the ordering also occurred during the time of the Sahaabah. Imam Muslim and Ahmad recorded from Abu Zur’ah that he said: “Three groups of people(Muslims) in Madeenah sat with Marwaan bn Hakam, they were listening to him while he was talking about the major signs of the last hour, he said the first of these signs is the appearance of Dajjaal. Abdullah bn Umar said: “Marwan didn’t mention anything. I heard a hadeeth from the Prophet which I have not forgotten, I heard the Prophet said: “verily the first among the major signs is the rising of the sun from the west, then the beast that will appear to people, these two will occur after the other.”
This narration is according to Imam Muslim.
In Imam Ahmad’s narration, it says Abdullah bn Umar said: “and I think that the first of these major signs is rising of the sun from the west.”
Ibn Hajar, however, has divided the major signs into two main categories, one definitely occurring before the other.
The first set of signs is those that occur on this earth, without the nature of this earth changing completely. These are signs that should clearly awaken the people and drive them to repent to Allah. During those signs, there is no ultimate distinguishing between the believer and the disbeliever nor is there any unquestionable occurrence in this creation that makes it clear that the Resurrection is at hand.
The signs of this category include the coming of the Dajjaal, the return of Isa(alayhi salaam), Gog and Magog and the landslides.
The second category of these major signs leaves no doubt as to the actual occurring of the Resurrection and the end of this Creation as humans know it now.
In addition, there will be a distinguishing of the believer from the disbeliever. Hence, during and after these signs, there will be no question of repentance or returning to God.
At that time, it would be too late for any repentance to be accepted by Allah.
The signs in this category would include the appearance of the beast, the smoke and the rising of the sun from the West. It also seems to be true that when these signs begin to occur, one will be following up the other at a relatively fast pace.
The Prophet said: “The signs shall appear one after the other like the beads on a string follow one another.”
Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad that the Prophet said: “The signs are like beads strung on a string. If the string breaks, they [quickly] follow one after the other.”
To be continued….