The Four Major Signs of the Approach of the Hour – A Moment for Reflection
In the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith
Allah the Exalted created the world for a fixed term, and the Day of Judgment is true. Before the Hour, various signs will appear, among which some are general and some are specific. Some of them have already been fulfilled or are being fulfilled in today’s era, and these are a powerful “moment for reflection” for present-day humanity.
➊ The Spread of Mass Killing – Without Religious Distinction
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ لَهَرْجًا» قَالُوا: وَمَا الْهَرْجُ؟ قَالَ: «الْقَتْلُ، إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بِقَتْلِكُمْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، وَلَكِنْ قَتْلُ بَعْضِكُمْ بَعْضًا»
Translation: Before the Hour there will be abundant killing and bloodshed. The Companions asked: “What is al-harj?” He ﷺ said: Killing! And this killing will not be the killing of the polytheists by you, but you will kill one another.
Today we see that killing is not confined to wars alone; Muslims kill Muslims, brothers kill brothers, and humanity brutally kills its own kind. In streets and neighbourhoods, in homes, in politics and in crime, blood is being shed ruthlessly everywhere.
➋ The Storm of Wars – An Unending Chain
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«وَيْلٌ لِلْعَرَبِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ، فُتِحَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ رَدْمِ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مِثْلُ هذِه»
Translation: Woe to the Arabs from an evil that has drawn near. Today a breach of this size has been made in the barrier of Gog and Magog (the size of a ring of fingers).
That is, the world is continuously moving towards wars, and these wars are not only of weapons but also in the fields of civilisation, belief, resources and media. In the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa, there are signs of war everywhere. The Qur’an also says:
وَإِذَا الْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ
Translation: And when the wild beasts are gathered together.
The commentators said that treating people like beasts in wars will become common.
➌ The Breaking of Relationships – Ties of Kinship and Friendship Will Keep Breaking
The Qur’an warns:
فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَن تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ
Translation: Would you, if you were given authority, cause corruption on the earth and sever your ties of kinship? These are the ones whom Allah has cursed.
In today’s era, over trivial matters, siblings, parents, spouses, and friends cut off their relations with one another. Respect for relationships is disappearing, and this is a major sign of the Hour.
➍ The Loss of Peace of Heart – A State of Restlessness
The Qur’an says:
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
Translation: Beware! Hearts find rest only in the remembrance of Allah.
Yet today humans have acquired everything: wealth, fame, power – but the heart is restless, there is no sleep, no inner joy, no marital contentment. Despite technology and development, people suffer from mental illnesses, depression, fear, uncertainty and chaos. This is a declaration that the major signs of the Hour are being fulfilled.
Conclusion – A Moment for Reflection
These four signs – mass killing, wars, the breaking of relationships, and hearts becoming restless – are not merely warning signs but a powerful jolt for humanity. If we still do not mend our ways, do not return in repentance and turning back to Allah, and do not make religion the centre of our lives, then these signs will push us towards destruction.
Will we awaken upon seeing these signs? Or will we remain drowned in blind imitation and indifference?
