Question:
I have been reflecting on the signs of the end times, especially the prophecies about wars and conflicts that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned. With the tragedy in Gaza and Palestine, people often refer to the Malhamah al Kubra and the hadith “Umran Bayt al Maqdis kharab Yathrib”, which speaks about the prosperity of Bayt al Maqdis signalling the decline of Madinah. There is a lot of confusion around these narrations, and some claim that these prophecies are unfolding today.
My question is: how did the Companions understand these ahadith, and what are the key lessons we should take from these prophecies in our time? I would be grateful for clarification that places these narrations in their proper context, so we can draw the intended reminders from them.
Answer:
May Allah bless you for your thoughtful question and your sincere concern to understand the Prophetic traditions in their proper light. Reflecting upon the signs of the end times (ʿAlāmāt al-Sāʿah) is indeed beneficial, provided that reflection is guided by sound knowledge, balance, and humility before revelation.
As for the ḥadīth that says “‘Umrān Bayt al-Maqdis Kharāb Yathrib” (Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 4294), meaning that when Jerusalem becomes prosperous, Madinah will fall into decline, and the reports about al-Malḥamah al-Kubrā (the great and final battle, sometimes called Armageddon), I have written a separate article in Arabic clarifying that this particular ḥadīth is weak. Because it is weak, it should not be used independently to establish its content, though it may be cited as supporting evidence for the general fact that near the end of time there will be widespread trials, conflict, and disorder.
The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ understood such ḥadīth not as predictions to decode or timelines to determine, but as moral and spiritual reminders. They did not busy themselves with calculating when these events would occur, nor did they try to identify who or where the signs would appear. Their focus was always upon what Allah required of them in their own time, to remain steadfast upon truth, to prepare for the Hereafter, and to avoid being distracted by worldly concerns. When they heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ speak of the turmoil that would precede the Hour, their reaction was not speculation but repentance, fear of Allah, and an increase in righteous action.
The signs of the Hour are mentioned in authentic ḥadīth and alluded to in the Qur’ān, sometimes directly and sometimes symbolically. The purpose of mentioning them is not to enable us to predict the unseen or to identify specific individuals and places, but to warn and remind. These reports are not intended to give us factual precision about future events; rather, they aim to awaken our hearts and strengthen our awareness of Allah.
Their message is moral and spiritual: to instil fear of Allah, to encourage repentance, to inspire hope in His promise, and to strengthen patience during trials. They teach us that hardship is not permanent, that Allah’s help always comes to those who remain steadfast, and that the believers’ duty is to continue striving for truth regardless of the surrounding turmoil.
The language of Prophetic reports about the future is not like ordinary language. It is often symbolic and layered with meaning. Therefore, one should not rush to match every phrase with a modern political event or assume that a prophecy is being fulfilled today. Such claims are speculative and can easily mislead. The correct attitude is one of faith, balance, and discernment, to neither exaggerate interpretations nor neglect their lessons.
Ultimately, the purpose of these reports is not to satisfy curiosity, but to shape the believer’s moral and spiritual readiness. They call us to be alert, sincere, and steadfast, always prepared to meet Allah. The intelligent person is not the one who knows when the Hour will come, but the one who prepares for it with faith and righteous action. As the Prophet ﷺ said: “The intelligent one is he who holds himself accountable and works for what comes after death.” (Tirmidhī)
Therefore, the main lesson we should take from such aḥādīth is to remain conscious of Allah, to strengthen our trust in Him, and to stay steadfast in worship and moral integrity, no matter how dark the circumstances around us become. What benefits us most is not knowledge of when these events will occur, but how we respond, through taqwā, repentance, and sincerity in obedience.
May Allah grant us insight, patience, and steadfastness in these testing times, and make us among those who are alert to His signs and firm upon His path.
For those who would like to study this topic in more depth, there is also a two-day course on the Major and Minor signs of the Day of Judgement, taught by Shaykh Akram Nadwi, available on ASI On-demand. Click here to enrol.
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