Question

A lecturer quoted a narration that suggests Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned ‘satellite dishes that communicate’ as a sign of Qiyamah. He says the Hadith refers to people watching television and not maintaining family ties.

I don’t know Arabic or the Hadith but he says the Hadith is reported by Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

Do you know this Hadith? Is it authentic and is the translation he provided correct?

 

Answer

I have not come across the explanation/interpretation offered by the Lecturer in question regarding satellite dishes.

The Hadith in question which is recorded by Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has the following words:

إن من أعلام الساعة وأشراطها أن تواصل الأطباق وأن تقاطع الأرحام

The famous linguist, Ibn Manzur (rahimahullah) after citing these words, explains that the word “اطباق” refers to distant relatives and strangers. ‘Allamah Murtada Az Zabidi (rahimahullah) has also offered this explanation.

(Lisanul ‘Arab, vol. 7, pg. 79 and Tajul ‘Arus, vol. 13, pg. 287)

The translation will therefore be as follows:

“From among the signs of Qiyamah is that people will maintain ties with distant relatives and strangers but sever ties with close family.”

See the reference and authenticity of the narration here.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar,

The Moroccan Hadith Scholar of the recent past, Shaykh Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari (rahimahullah) has written a book in which he has endeavored to relate the Hadiths of the signs of Qiyamah to modern day inventions. He has not cited anything clear regarding satellite dishes.

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar