Question

Please explain whether the following narration is reliable:

عن خالد بن معدان رحمه الله قال: إذا رأيتم عمودا من نار من قبل المشرق في شهر رمضان في السماء فأعدوا من الطعام ما استطعتم فإنها سنة جوع

Khalid Ibn Ma’dan (rahimahullah) has said: “If you see a column of fire from the East, in the month of Ramadan, in the sky, then prepare as much food as you can, for it is (going to be) a year of starvation (famine).”

Answer

This narration  – with slight variation in wording – has been recorded by Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ubadah ibn Samit (radiyallahu ‘anhu) as a marfu’ Hadith (i.e., with the wording attributed to Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

(Al-Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 371)

‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) has mentioned many supporting texts for this Hadith and ‘Allamah Azizi (rahimahullah) has even graded it as sound (Hasan).

(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 645 & As-Sirajul Munir, vol. 1, pg. 127. Also see Majam’uz Zawaid, vol.5 pg.35)

The statement of Khalid ibn Ma’dan – a Tabi’i – (rahimahullah) that you have cited is recorded by Imam Nu’aym ibn Hammad in his Kitabul Fitan, hadith: 649)

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 Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar