Question

I am seeking the source of the Hadith regarding the sign of Qiyamah, wherein Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said that the Hour will not arrive until time passes swiftly and a year will be like a month and a month will be like a week.

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Imams Ahmad, Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) and other Muhaddithun have recorded it on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with slight variation in the wording.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Qiyamah will not begin until time passes quick [there will be no barakah in time]. A year will be like a month, a month will be like a week, a week will be like a day, and a day will be like an hour, and an hour will be like the flare of the fire.”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2332, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2, pg. 538, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 6842)

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