Question

What is the status of this narration?

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

1. When public money is passed around like own money
2. Trust is taken as booty (i.e., intention is to use it and refuse to return it)
3. Zakah is seen as a tax
4. Knowledge of Din is acquired for reasons other than spreading the Din
5. A man obeys his wife and disobeys his mother
6. Draws his friends close and distances his father
7. Voices are raised in the Masajid
8. Tribes are led by their wicked
9. The leader of the community is the most despicable among them
10. A person is respected for fear of his reprisals
11. Singing girls and musical instruments become widespread
12. Intoxicants are consumed
13. The latter of this Ummah will curse their former

Then anticipate dangerous hurricanes, earthquakes, collapsing of the earth, disfigurement of bodies and faces, raining of stones, and such signs that follow in succession like beads of a necklace when the string is cut and so they (the beads) fall in succession.

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded the narration in question in his Sunan. Although he has classified this narration as weak, there are other narrations which support this Hadith. This Hadith is therefore suitable to quote.

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2211 and 2210)

Disclaimer: In principle, the signs of Qiyamah are ambiguous and nuanced and only Allah Ta’ala Knows their precise timing and exact application. One should certainly take heed from such Hadiths and signs, despite their application to specific events being open to interpretation.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar