40 Prophetic Hadiths on Tribulations (Fitnah) Before Qiyamah

40 Authentic Hadiths on Tribulations (Fitnah) with Arabic Text and Full References​

✍ Written by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi


بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
إن الحمد لله نحمده، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأن محمداً عبده ورسوله. أما بعد:

◈ Section: The Emergence of Tribulations (بَابُ ظُهُورِ الْفِتَنِ)​

Qur’anic Verses on Tribulations

1. وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ
   [Surah Al-Baqarah: 191]
   Translation: “And fitnah (trial/persecution) is worse than killing.”
2. إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
   [Surah At-Taghabun: 15]
   Translation: “Indeed, your wealth and your children are but a trial, and with Allah is a great reward.”

Hadith 1


عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ قَالَ: أَشْرَفَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى أُطُمٍ مِنْ آطَامِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ: هَلْ تَرَوْنَ مَا أَرَى؟ قَالُوا: لَا. قَالَ: فَإِنِّي أَرَى الْفِتَنَ تَقَعُ خِلَالَ بُيُوتِكُمْ كَوَقْعِ الْقَطْرِ
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7060


Translation: Usamah bin Zayd رضي الله عنه said: The Prophet ﷺ ascended one of the buildings in Madinah and asked: “Do you see what I see?” They said: “No.” He said: “Indeed, I see tribulations falling upon your homes like raindrops.”


Hadith 2


وَعَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا بَلَاءٌ وَفِتْنَةٌ
Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 4035 — Graded Sahih by Al-Albani


Translation: Mu‘awiyah رضي الله عنه reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “Nothing of the world will remain except trials and tribulations.”


Hadith 3


عَنْ الزُّبَيْرِ بْنِ عَدِيٍّ قَالَ: أَتَيْنَا أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ فَشَكَوْنَا إِلَيْهِ مَا نَلْقَى مِنَ الْحَجَّاجِ فَقَالَ: اصْبِرُوا، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَأْتِي زَمَانٌ إِلَّا وَالَّذِي بَعْدَهُ شَرٌّ مِنْهُ، حَتَّى تَلْقَوْا رَبَّكُمْ، سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ نَبِيِّكُمْ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7068


Translation: Zubayr bin ʿAdī رضي الله عنه said: We came to Anas bin Mālik رضي الله عنه and complained about the oppression of Al-Ḥajjāj. He said: “Be patient, for no time comes but the next is worse than it — until you meet your Lord. I heard this from your Prophet ﷺ.”

◈ Section: Severity of Tribulations (بَابٌ شِدَّةِ الْفِتَنِ)​

Hadith 4


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَمُرَّ الرَّجُلُ بِقَبْرِ الرَّجُلِ، فَيَقُولَ: يَا لَيْتَنِي مَكَانَهُ
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7115


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The Hour will not be established until a man passes by the grave of another and says: ‘Would that I were in his place!’”


Hadith 5


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: سَتَكُونُ فِتَنٌ، الْقَاعِدُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْقَائِمِ، وَالْقَائِمُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَاشِي، وَالْمَاشِي فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّاعِي، وَمَنْ تَشَرَّفَ لَهَا تَسْتَشْرِفْهُ، فَمَنْ وَجَدَ مَلْجَأً أَوْ مَعَاذًا فَلْيَعُذْ بِهِ
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7081, 7082


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There will be tribulations. The one sitting during them is better than the one standing, the one standing is better than the one walking, and the one walking is better than the one running. Whoever exposes himself to them will be engulfed by them. So whoever finds a refuge or shelter, let him seek refuge in it.”


Hadith 6


عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: إِنَّ مِنْ وَرَائِكُمْ أَيَّامَ الصَّبْرِ، الصَّبْرُ فِيهِنَّ كَقَبْضٍ عَلَى الْجَمْرِ، لِلْعَامِلِ فِيهَا أَجْرُ خَمْسِينَ، قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، أَجْرُ خَمْسِينَ مِنْهُمْ؟ قَالَ: بَلْ خَمْسِينَ مِنْكُمْ
Musnad al-Bazzar: 3370, al-Mu'jam al-Kabir: 10394, Majmaʿ al-Zawā’id: 12216 – Graded Hasan by Shaykh al-Albani


Translation: ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه narrated: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Ahead of you are days of patience — patience in those days will be like holding onto a burning ember. The one who acts righteously during them will have the reward of fifty men.” They asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Fifty of them or fifty of us?” He said: “Fifty of you.”

Hadith 7


عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ لَأَيَّامًا يُنْزَلُ فِيهَا الْجَهْلُ وَيُرْفَعُ فِيهَا الْعِلْمُ وَيَكْثُرُ فِيهَا الْهَرْجُ، وَالْهَرْجُ الْقَتْلُ
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7062–7063


Translation: Abu Musa رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Before the Hour, there will be days in which ignorance will spread, knowledge will be taken away, and there will be widespread killing.”

◈ Section: Disobedience to Parents (بَابُ عُقُوقِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ)​

Qur’anic Verses


وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا
Surah Al-Isra: 23


Translation: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your presence, do not say to them even 'uff', nor scold them, and speak to them with respectful words.”


إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْأَرْحَامِ ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
Surah Luqman: 34


Translation: “Indeed, Allah alone has knowledge of the Hour, sends down the rain, knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in which land it will die. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”


Hadith 8


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمًا بَارِزًا لِلنَّاسِ فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! مَتَى السَّاعَةُ؟ فَقَالَ: مَا الْمَسْئُولُ عَنْهَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنَ السَّائِلِ، وَلَكِنْ سَأُخْبِرُكَ عَنْ أَشْرَاطِهَا: إِذَا وَلَدَتِ الْأَمَةُ رَبَّتَهَا، فَذَلِكَ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِهَا، وَإِذَا كَانَ الْحُفَاةُ الْعُرَاةُ رُءُوسَ النَّاسِ، فَذَلِكَ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِهَا، وَإِذَا تَطَاوَلَ رُعَاةُ الْغَنَمِ فِي الْبُنْيَانِ، فَذَلِكَ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِهَا، فِي خَمْسٍ لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ تَلَا: ﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ...﴾
Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 4044 – Authenticated by al-Albani


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: A man came and asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah, when is the Hour?” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “The one being asked knows no more than the one asking. But I will inform you of some of its signs: When a slave woman gives birth to her mistress (i.e., master), when barefoot, naked poor people become leaders of men, and when shepherds build lofty buildings — these are among its signs. As for the Hour, its knowledge is with Allah alone.” Then he recited: “Indeed, Allah has knowledge of the Hour...” [Luqman: 34]

◈ Section: Loss of Deeds (بَابُ فُقْدَانِ الْعَمَلِ)​

Qur’anic Verses


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَنْ تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ‎﴿٣﴾
Surah As-Saff: 2–3


Translation: “O you who believe! Why do you say what you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say what you do not do.”


Hadith 9


عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ لَبِيدٍ قَالَ: ذَكَرَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ شَيْئًا فَقَالَ: ذَاكَ عِنْدَ أَوَانِ ذَهَابِ الْعِلْمِ. قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! كَيْفَ يَذْهَبُ الْعِلْمُ وَنَحْنُ نَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ وَنُقْرِئُهُ أَبْنَاءَنَا، وَيُقْرِئُهُ أَبْنَاؤُنَا أَبْنَاءَهُمْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ؟ قَالَ: ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا زِيَادُ! إِنْ كُنْتُ لَأَرَاكَ مِنْ أَفْقَهِ رَجُلٍ بِالْمَدِينَةِ. أَوَلَيْسَ هَؤُلَاءِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى يَقْرَءُونَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ، لَا يَعْمَلُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِمَّا فِيهِمَا؟
Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 4048 – Sahih according to al-Albani


Translation: Ziyad bin Labid رضي الله عنه said: The Prophet ﷺ mentioned something and said: “That will happen when knowledge disappears.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, how can knowledge disappear when we read the Qur’an and teach it to our children, and they will teach it to their children until the Day of Judgment?” He ﷺ replied: “Woe to you, Ziyad! I thought you were among the most understanding men in Madinah. Do the Jews and Christians not read the Torah and the Gospel, yet they do not act upon anything from them?”

◈ Section: Disappearance of Trust (بَابُ رَفْعِ الْأَمَانَةِ)​

Hadith 10


عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: يُنَامُ الرَّجُلُ النَّوْمَةَ، فَتُقْبَضُ الْأَمَانَةُ مِنْ قَلْبِهِ، فَيَظَلُّ أَثَرُهَا مِثْلَ أَثَرِ الْوَكْتِ، ثُمَّ يَنَامُ النَّوْمَةَ، فَتُقْبَضُ فَيَبْقَى أَثَرُهَا مِثْلَ أَثَرِ الْمَجْلِ، كَجَمْرٍ دَحْرَجْتَهُ عَلَى رِجْلِكَ فَنَفِطَ، فَتَرَاهُ مُنْتَبِرًا، وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ، وَيُصْبِحُ النَّاسُ يَتَبَايَعُونَ، فَلَا يَكَادُ أَحَدٌ يُؤَدِّي الْأَمَانَةَ، فَيُقَالُ: إِنَّ فِي بَنِي فُلَانٍ رَجُلًا أَمِينًا، وَيُقَالُ لِلرَّجُلِ: مَا أَعْقَلَهُ، وَمَا أَظْرَفَهُ، وَمَا أَجْلَدَهُ، وَمَا فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّةِ خَرْدَلٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7086


Translation: Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A man may sleep, and the trust will be taken from his heart, leaving behind a trace like a faint mark. Then he sleeps again, and it will be completely removed, leaving behind a blister — like an ember rolling over your foot, which raises a blister but contains nothing inside. People will transact with one another, and hardly anyone will fulfill trusts. It will be said, ‘Among such-and-such tribe, there is an honest man.’ And a man will be praised: ‘How intelligent! How charming! How strong!’ while he will not have in his heart even a mustard seed of faith.”

◈ Section: False Testimony (بَابُ شَهَادَةِ الزُّورِ)​

Qur’anic Verse


وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا
Surah Al-Furqan: 72


Translation: “And those who do not bear false witness, and when they pass by idle talk, they pass by with dignity.”


Hadith 11


عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ شِهَابٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ تَسْلِيمَ الْخَاصَّةِ، وَفُشُوَّ التِّجَارَةِ، حَتَّى تُعِينَ الْمَرْأَةُ زَوْجَهَا عَلَى التِّجَارَةِ، وَقَطْعَ الْأَرْحَامِ، وَشَهَادَةَ الزُّورِ، وَكِتْمَانَ شَهَادَةِ الْحَقِّ، وَظُهُورَ الْقَلَمِ
Musnad Aḥmad: 3869 — Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Aḥmad Shākir


Translation: Ṭāriq ibn Shihāb رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Before the Hour, these signs will appear: greeting only those whom one knows, widespread trade (to such an extent) that a woman will assist her husband in trade, severing of kinship ties, false testimony, concealing the truth, and the spread of the pen (i.e., writing will become common).”

◈ Section: Breach of Trust and Promises (بَابُ ضِيَاعِ الْعَهْدِ)​

Qur’anic Verse


الَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ أُوْلَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
Surah Al-Baqarah: 27


Translation: “Those who break the covenant of Allah after it has been made binding, and sever what Allah has ordered to be joined, and cause corruption on earth — it is they who are the losers.”


Hadith 12


عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: كَيْفَ بِكُمْ وَبِزَمَانٍ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ، يُغَرْبَلُ النَّاسُ فِيهِ غَرْبَلَةً، وَيَبْقَى حُثَالَةٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، قَدْ مَرِجَتْ عُهُودُهُمْ وَأَمَانَاتُهُمْ، فَاخْتَلَفُوا، وَكَانُوا هَكَذَا، وَشَبَّكَ بَيْنَ أَصَابِعِهِ، قَالُوا: كَيْفَ بِنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِذَا كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ؟ قَالَ: تَأْخُذُونَ بِمَا تَعْرِفُونَ، وَتَدَعُونَ مَا تُنْكِرُونَ، وَتُقْبِلُونَ عَلَى خَاصَّتِكُمْ، وَتَذَرُونَ عَامَّتَكُمْ
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 3957 | Ṣaḥīḥah: 205


Translation: ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr رضي الله عنهما reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “What will be your condition when such a time comes that the people are sifted like grain, and only the dregs remain? Their covenants and trusts will be confused and lost; they will differ and be like this”—and he interlaced his fingers. They asked: “What should we do in such a time, O Messenger of Allah?” He ﷺ replied: “Adhere to what you know to be right, abandon what you reject (as evil), turn to your close companions, and leave the general people to their state.”

◈ Section: Severing Family Ties (بَابُ قَطِيعَةِ الرَّحِمِ)​

Qur’anic Verse


فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَنْ تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ
Surah Muhammad: 22


Translation: “Would you then, if given authority, cause corruption on the earth and sever your family ties?”


Hadith 13


عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ تَسْلِيمُ الْخَاصَّةِ، وَتَفْشُو التِّجَارَةُ، حَتَّى تُعِينُ الْمَرْأَةُ زَوْجَهَا عَلَى التِّجَارَةِ، وَتُقْطَعُ الْأَرْحَامُ
Musnad Aḥmad: 3869 — Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Aḥmad Shākir


Translation: ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Among the signs of the Hour are: greeting only acquaintances, widespread trade, to the extent that women assist their husbands in trade, and severing of family ties.”

◈ Section: Concealing the Truth (بَابُ كِتْمَانِ الْحَقِّ)​

Qur’anic Verse


لِمَ تَلْبِسُونَ الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Surah Āl ʿImrān: 71


Translation: “Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know [it]?”


Hadith 14


عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ شَهَادَةَ الزُّورِ وَكِتْمَانَ الْحَقِّ
Musnad Aḥmad: 60 — Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Aḥmad Shākir


Translation: ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Among the signs before the Hour will be false testimony and concealing the truth.”

Qur’anic Verse


وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ...
Surah An-Nisā’: 36


Translation: “Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the distant neighbor, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are arrogant and boastful.”


Hadith 15


عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفُحْشَ وَلَا التَّفَحُّشَ، وَلَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَظْهَرَ الْفُحْشُ وَالْتَّفَحُّشُ، وَقَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ، وَسُوءُ الْمُجَاوَرَةِ، وَيُؤْتَمَنَ الْخَائِنُ وَيُخَوَّنَ الْأَمِينُ
Musnad Aḥmad: 6511 — Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Aḥmad Shākir


Translation: ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr رضي الله عنهما reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah does not love indecency or obscene speech. The Hour will not be established until indecency becomes widespread, family ties are severed, neighbors are mistreated, the treacherous are trusted, and the trustworthy are deemed treacherous.”

◈ Section: Selfishness and Greed (بَابُ الشُّحِ)​

Qur’anic Verse


وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
Surah Al-Ḥashr: 9


Translation: “And whoever is protected from the greed of his own soul – it is they who will be the successful.”


Hadith 16


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: يَتَقَارَبُ الزَّمَانُ، وَيَنْقُصُ الْعَمَلُ، وَيُلْقَى الشُّحُّ، وَتَظْهَرُ الْفِتَنُ، وَيَكْثُرُ الْهَرْجُ. قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَمَا الْهَرْجُ؟ قَالَ: الْقَتْلُ الْقَتْلُ
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7061


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Time will pass rapidly, deeds will decrease, miserliness will be cast into people's hearts, tribulations will appear, and killing will increase.” The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah! What is ‘al-harj’?” He replied: “Killing! Killing!”

◈ Section: Moral Decline and Lowly People Elevated (بَابُ عُلُوِّ السُّفَلَةِ)​

Qur’anic Verse


وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يُعْجِبُكَ قَوْلُهُ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيُشْهِدُ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِي قَلْبِهِ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ الْخِصَامِ ﴿٢٠٤﴾ وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُفْسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهْلِكَ الْحَرْثَ وَالنَّسْلَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَ ﴿٢٠٥﴾
Surah Al-Baqarah: 204–205


Translation: “And among the people is he whose speech impresses you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents. And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption and destroy crops and progeny. And Allah does not like corruption.”


Hadith 17


عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ الْيَمَانِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ أَسْعَدَ النَّاسِ بِالدُّنْيَا لُكَعُ بْنُ لُكَعَ
Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 2209 | al-Mishkāt: 2365 — Authenticated by al-Albānī


Translation: Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنهما reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The Hour will not be established until the happiest (most successful) person in the world is the most foolish and despicable (lukaʿ ibn lukaʿ).”

◈ Section: Preference for Incompetent Leaders (بَابُ حُبِّ النَّاسِ الْأَئِمَّةَ الْخَلُوقَ)​

Qur’anic Verse


فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا
Surah Maryam: 59


Translation: “Then there came after them successors who neglected prayer and followed their desires — so they will face Hell.”


Hadith 18


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِذَا ضُيِّعَتِ الْأَمَانَةُ فَانْتَظِرِ السَّاعَةَ، قِيلَ: كَيْفَ إِضَاعَتُهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: إِذَا أُسْنِدَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَىٰ غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَانْتَظِرِ السَّاعَةَ
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Softening the Heart, Hadith: 6496


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When the trust is lost, then await the Hour.” He was asked: “How will it be lost, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “When authority is given to those who are not qualified, then wait for the Hour.”

◈ Section: Love of the World and Hatred of Death (بَابٌ حُبِّ الدُّنْيَا وَكَرَاهِيَةِ الْمَوْتِ)​

Qur’anic Verse


كَلَّا بَلْ تُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَةَ ‎﴿٢٠﴾‏ وَتَذَرُونَ الْآخِرَةَ ‎﴿٢١﴾
Surah Al-Qiyāmah: 20–21


Translation: “No! But you love the immediate (worldly life) and leave the Hereafter.”


Hadith 19


عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: يُوشِكُ الْأُمَمُ أَنْ تَدَاعَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا تَدَاعَى الْأَكَلَةُ إِلَىٰ قَصْعَتِهَا... قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْوَهْنُ؟ قَالَ: حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَكَرَاهِيَةُ الْمَوْتِ
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Book of Battles, Hadith: 4297 | Ṣaḥīḥah: 956


Translation: Thawbān رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The nations will soon call one another against you just as people invite others to partake of their dish.” Someone asked: “Will it be because of our small number?” He replied: “No, you will be numerous, but you will be like the foam of the sea. Allah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and cast ‘wahn’ into your hearts.” It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what is wahn?” He ﷺ said: “Love of the world and hatred for death.”

◈ Section: Spread of Idolatry (بَابُ كَثْرَةِ الشِّرْكِ)​

Qur’anic Verse


يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
Surah Luqmān: 13


Translation: “O my son, do not associate anything with Allah. Verily, association with Him is a great injustice.”


Hadith 20


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّىٰ تَضْطَرِبَ أَلْيَاتُ نِسَاءِ دَوْسٍ عَلَىٰ ذِي الْخَلَصَةِ
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Tribulations, Hadith: 7116


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The Hour will not be established until the women of the tribe of Daws move their hips (in dance) around Dhu al-Khalasah (a pre-Islamic idol).”


Hadith 21


عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: أَنَا عَلَىٰ حَوْضِي أَنْتَظِرُ مَنْ يَرِدُ عَلَيَّ فَيُؤْخَذُ بِنَاسٍ مِنْ دُونِي، فَأَقُولُ: أُمَّتِي، فَيَقُولُونَ: لَا تَدْرِي، مَاشَوْا عَلَى الْقَهْقَرَىٰ. قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ نَرْجِعَ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِنَا أَوْ نُفْتَنَ.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 7048


Translation: Asmā’ bint Abī Bakr رضي الله عنها narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I will be at my cistern (Ḥawḍ), awaiting those who will come to me. Then some people will be seized before reaching me. I will say: ‘They are from my Ummah!’ But it will be said: ‘You do not know; they turned back on their heels.’” Ibn Abī Mulaykah then supplicated: “O Allah, we seek Your protection from turning on our heels or being subjected to a trial.”

◈ Section: Widespread Lying (بَابُ كَثْرَةِ الْكَذِب)​

Hadith 22


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّىٰ تُظْهِرَ الْفِتَنُ وَيَكْثُرَ الْكَذِبُ وَيَتَقَارَبَ الْأَسْوَاقُ وَيَتَقَارَبَ الزَّمَانُ وَيَكْثُرَ الْهَرْجُ. قِيلَ: وَمَا الْهَرْجُ؟ قَالَ: الْقَتْلُ.
Musnad Aḥmad 2/59, Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid 7/327 – Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Aḥmad Shākir


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The Hour will not come until tribulations become widespread, lying increases, marketplaces become closer (in reach), time shortens, and killing becomes abundant.” It was asked: “What is killing (harj)?” He replied: “Killing.”

◈ Section: Prevalence of Deception (بَابُ كَثْرَةِ الْخَدَّاعَات)​

Qur’anic Verse


يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Surah Al-Baqarah: 9


Translation: “They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive only themselves, and they perceive it not.”


Hadith 23


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ سِنُونَ خَدَّاعَاتٌ يُصَدَّقُ فِيهَا الْكَاذِبُ وَيُكَذَّبُ فِيهَا الصَّادِقُ، وَيُؤْتَمَنُ فِيهَا الْخَائِنُ وَيُخَوَّنُ فِيهَا الْأَمِينُ، وَيَنْطِقُ فِيهَا الرُّوَيْبِضَةُ. قِيلَ: وَمَا الرُّوَيْبِضَةُ؟ قَالَ: الرَّجُلُ التَّافِهُ فِي أَمْرِ الْعَامَّةِ.
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 4036 – Ṣaḥīḥah: 1887


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said: “There will come upon the people years of deceit in which the liar will be believed, the truthful will be disbelieved, the treacherous will be trusted, and the trustworthy will be seen as treacherous, and the most insignificant people will speak regarding public matters.” It was asked: “Who are the insignificant (ruwaybiḍah)?” He replied: “The foolish person who interferes in public affairs.”

Qur’anic Verse


وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُوْلَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
Surah Luqmān: 6


Translation: “And among mankind is he who purchases idle talk to mislead others from the path of Allah without knowledge and takes it as mockery. For such there will be a humiliating punishment.”


Hadith 24


عَنْ أَبِي مَالِكٍ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: لَيَشْرَبَنَّ نَاسٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي الْخَمْرَ يُسَمُّونَهَا بِغَيْرِ اسْمِهَا، يُعْزَفُ عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ بِالْمَعَازِفِ وَالْمُغَنِّيَاتِ، يَخْسِفُ اللَّهُ بِهِمُ الْأَرْضَ، وَيَجْعَلُ مِنْهُمُ الْقِرَدَةَ وَالْخَنَازِيرَ.
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 4020 — Ṣaḥīḥah 1/138-139


Translation: Abu Mālik al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Some people from my Ummah will drink wine, but will call it by another name. Musical instruments and singing girls will play over their heads. Allah will cause the earth to swallow them and transform some into monkeys and swine.”

◈ Section: Prevalence of Obscenity and Immorality (بَابُ كَثْرَةِ الْفُحْشِ وَالتَّفَحُّش)​

Qur’anic Verse


إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Surah An-Nūr: 19


Translation: “Indeed, those who love to spread immorality among the believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows, while you do not know.”


Hadith 25


عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفُحْشَ وَالتَّفَحُّشَ، أَوْ يُبْغِضُ الْفَاحِشَ وَالْمُتَفَحِّشَ، وَلَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّىٰ يَظْهَرَ الْفُحْشُ وَالتَّفَحُّشُ وَقَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَسُوءُ الْمُجَاوَرَةِ، وَحَتَّىٰ يُؤْتَمَنَ الْخَائِنُ وَيُخَوَّنَ الْأَمِينُ.
Musnad Aḥmad, Hadith: 6511 — Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Aḥmad Shākir


Translation: ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah does not like obscenity and foul speech — or He said: Allah hates the obscene and the foul-mouthed. The Hour will not be established until obscenity and vulgarity become widespread, family ties are severed, neighbors are mistreated, and the trustworthy are deemed treacherous while traitors are trusted.”

◈ Section: Increase in Adultery and Intoxicants (بَابُ كَثْرَةِ الزِّنَا وَالْخَمْر)​

Qur’anic Verses


وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَىٰ ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا
Surah Al-Isrāʾ: 32


Translation: “And do not approach adultery. Verily, it is ever an immorality and an evil path.”


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
Surah Al-Māʾidah: 90


Translation: “O you who believe! Indeed, intoxicants, gambling, idols, and divining arrows are abominations of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid them that you may be successful.”


Hadith 26


عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: مِنْ أَشْرَاطِ السَّاعَةِ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ الْعِلْمُ، وَيَثْبُتَ الْجَهْلُ، وَيُشْرَبَ الْخَمْرُ، وَيَظْهَرَ الزِّنَا.
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Hadith: 267/9


Translation: Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Among the signs of the Hour is the lifting of knowledge, the prevalence of ignorance, the consumption of alcohol, and the public appearance of adultery.”

Qur’anic Verse


ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ هَٰؤُلَاءِ تَقْتُلُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتُخْرِجُونَ فَرِيقًا مِّنكُم مِّن دِيَارِهِمْ تَظَاهَرُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِالْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ...
Surah Al-Baqarah: 85


Translation: “Then you are those [same ones] who are killing one another and expelling a party of your own people from their homes, cooperating against them in sin and aggression...”


Hadith 27


عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ لَهَرْجًا، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، مَا الْهَرْجُ؟ قَالَ: الْقَتْلُ. فَقَالَ بَعْضُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّا نَقْتُلُ الْآنَ فِي الْعَامِ الْوَاحِدِ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَذَا وَكَذَا، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: لَيْسَ بِقَتْلِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، وَلَكِنْ يَقْتُلُ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا، حَتَّىٰ يَقْتُلَ الرَّجُلُ جَارَهُ، وَابْنَ عَمِّهِ، وَذَا قَرَابَتِهِ.
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 3959 — Ṣaḥīḥah: 1682


Translation: Abu Musa رضي الله عنه narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Before the Hour there will be widespread killing (harj).” I asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what is harj?” He said: “Killing.” Some Muslims said: “O Messenger of Allah, we already kill many polytheists every year.” He ﷺ replied: “I do not mean the killing of polytheists, rather you will kill one another, until a man will kill his neighbor, his cousin, and his close relatives.”

◈ Section: Trials of the Stomach and Private Parts (بَابُ فِتَنِ الْبُطُونِ وَالْفُرُوج)​

Qur’anic Verse


وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الشَّهَوَاتِ أَن تَمِيلُوا مَيْلًا عَظِيمًا
Surah An-Nisāʾ: 27


Translation: “And Allah wants to turn to you in repentance, but those who follow their desires want you to deviate completely.”


Hadith 28


عَنْ أَبِي بَرْزَةَ الْأَسْلَمِيِّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: إِنَّمَا أَخْشَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهَوَاتِ الْغَيِّ فِي بُطُونِكُمْ وَفُرُوجِكُمْ، وَمُضِلَّاتِ الْفِتَنِ.
Musnad Aḥmad: 4/429, Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid: 7/595, Hadith: 12347 – Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Shaykh Ḥamzah Zayn


Translation: Abū Barzah al-Aslamī رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “Indeed, I fear for you the misleading desires of your stomachs and private parts, and the misguiding trials.”

◈ Section: Selling the Religion for Worldly Gain (بَابُ فِتْنَةِ بَيْعِ الدِّينِ بِعَرَضِ الدُّنْيَا)​

Hadith 29


عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: تَكُونُ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ فِتَنٌ كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ، يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ فِيهَا مُؤْمِنًا وَيُمْسِي كَافِرًا، وَيُمْسِي مُؤْمِنًا وَيُصْبِحُ كَافِرًا، يَبِيعُ أَقْوَامٌ دِينَهُمْ بِعَرَضٍ مِّنَ الدُّنْيَا.
Sunan at-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 2197 — Ṣaḥīḥah: 758, 810


Translation: Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Before the Hour, there will be tribulations like pieces of a dark night. A man will wake up as a believer and go to sleep as a disbeliever, or sleep as a believer and wake up as a disbeliever. People will sell their religion for worldly gain.”

◈ Section: Trial of Ḥarām Earnings (بَابُ فِتْنَةِ كَسْبِ الْحَرَام)​

Qur’anic Verse


يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
Surah Al-Baqarah: 168


Translation: “O mankind! Eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.”


Hadith 30


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لَا يُبَالِي الْمَرْءُ مَا أَخَذَ مِنْهُ أَمِنَ الْحَلَالِ أَمْ مِنَ الْحَرَامِ.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Hadith: 2059


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said: “A time will come upon people when a person will not care whether he earns from ḥalāl or ḥarām.”

Hadith 31


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: صِنْفَانِ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ لَمْ أَرَهُمَا، قَوْمٌ مَعَهُمْ سِيَاطٌ كَأَذْنَابِ الْبَقَرِ يَضْرِبُونَ بِهَا النَّاسَ، وَنِسَاءٌ كَاسِيَاتٌ عَارِيَاتٌ، مُمِيلَاتٌ مَائِلَاتٌ، رُءُوسُهُنَّ كَأَسْنِمَةِ الْبُخْتِ الْمَائِلَةِ، لَا يَدْخُلْنَ الْجَنَّةَ، وَلَا يَجِدْنَ رِيحَهَا، وَإِنَّ رِيحَهَا لَيُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ كَذَا وَكَذَا.
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Ṣifat al-Jannah, Hadith: 7194


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There are two categories of the people of Hell that I have not seen. One: people with whips like the tails of cattle, with which they beat others. Two: women who are clothed yet naked, seductive and themselves seduced, with heads like the humps of bent camels. They will neither enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance, even though its fragrance can be detected from a far distance.”

◈ Section: The Trial of False Prophets and Deceivers (بَابُ فِتْنَةِ الْكَذَّابِينَ وَالدَّجَّالِينَ)​

Qur’anic Verse


مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا
Surah Al-Aḥzāb: 40


Translation: “Muḥammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.”


Hadith 32


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُبْعَثَ دَجَّالُونَ كَذَّابُونَ قَرِيبٌ مِنْ ثَلَاثِينَ، كُلُّهُمْ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ.
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 7342


Translation: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The Hour will not be established until nearly thirty imposters (Dajjālūn), all of them liars, appear—each claiming to be a messenger of Allah.”

◈ Section: The Trial of Women’s Leadership (بَابُ فِتْنَةِ إِمَارَةِ الْمَرْأَة)​

Hadith 33


عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ قَالَ: لَقَدْ نَفَعَنِي اللَّهُ بِكَلِمَةٍ أَيَّامَ الْجَمَلِ، لَمَّا بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ أَنَّ فَارِسًا قَدْ مَلَّكُوا ابْنَةَ كِسْرَى، قَالَ: لَنْ يُفْلِحَ قَوْمٌ وَلَّوْا أَمْرَهُمُ امْرَأَةً.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 7049


Translation: Abu Bakrah رضي الله عنه said: “Allah benefited me with a statement I heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during the days of the Battle of the Camel. When the Prophet ﷺ was informed that the Persians had appointed the daughter of Kisra as their ruler, he said: ‘A people who place a woman in charge of their affairs will never succeed.’”

◈ Section: The Trial of Misguiding Leaders (بَابُ فِتْنَةِ الْأَئِمَّةِ الْمُضِلِّين)​

Hadith 34


وعن حذيفة بن اليمان قلت: يا رسول الله إنا كنا بشر فجاء الله بخير فنحن فيه فهل من وراء هذا الخير شر؟ قال: نعم قلت: هل وراء ذلك الشر خير؟ قال: نعم قلت: فهل وراء ذلك الخير شر؟ قال: نعم قلت: كيف؟ قال: يكون بعدي أئمة لا يهتدون بهداي ولا يستنون بسنتي وسيقوم فيهم رجال قلوبهم قلوب الشياطين فى جثمان إنس قال: قلت: كيف أصنع يا رسول الله إن أدركت ذلك؟ قال: تسمع وتطيع للأمير وإن ضرب ظهرك وأخذ مالك فاسمع وأطع.
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Imārah, Hadith: 4785


Translation: Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنه said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: ‘We were in ignorance and evil, then Allah brought us this good (Islam). Will there be evil after this good?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ I asked, ‘Will there be good after that evil?’ He said, ‘Yes, but it will be tainted.’ … Then he said, ‘After me, there will be leaders who do not follow my guidance and do not adopt my Sunnah. There will be among them men with hearts of devils in the bodies of humans.’ I asked, ‘What should I do if I live to see that time?’ He said, ‘Listen and obey the ruler, even if he beats your back and takes your wealth. Listen and obey.’”

◈ Section: The Trial of Imitating Jews and Christians (بَابُ فِتْنَةِ اتِّبَاعِ الْيَهُودِ وَالنَّصَارَى)​

Qur’anic Verse


تَرَىٰ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لَهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ أَن سَخِطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَفِي الْعَذَابِ هُمْ خَالِدُونَ
Surah Al-Māʾidah: 80


Translation: “You see many of them taking the disbelievers as allies. Wretched is what they have put forth for themselves, for the wrath of Allah is upon them, and they will abide in the punishment forever.”


Hadith 35


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تَأْخُذَ أُمَّتِي بِأَخْذِ الْقُرُونِ قَبْلَهَا شِبْرًا بِشِبْرٍ وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ...
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Iʿtiṣām, Hadith: 7319


Translation: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The Hour will not be established until my Ummah imitates the previous nations, handspan by handspan and arm’s length by arm’s length.” It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, do you mean the Persians and the Romans?” He ﷺ said: “Then who else?”

◈ Section: The Virtue of Avoiding Tribulations (بَابُ فَضْلِ اجْتِنَابِ الْفِتَن)​

Qur’anic Verse


وَاتَّقُوا فِتْنَةً لَّا تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنكُمْ خَاصَّةً
Surah Al-Anfāl: 25


Translation: “And fear a trial which will not afflict only the wrongdoers among you.”


Hadith 36


عَنْ مَعْقِلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ رَدَّهُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: الْعِبَادَةُ فِي الْهَرْجِ كَالْهِجْرَةِ إِلَيَّ.
Sunan at-Tirmidhī, Hadith: 2201; Ibn Mājah: 3985 — Graded Ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī


Translation: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Worship during times of turmoil is like migrating to me.”

◈ Section: What Should One Do During Tribulations? (بَابٌ مَاذَا يُفْعَلُ فِي الْفِتَن)​

Hadith 37


عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ الْيَمَانِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: تَكُونُ فِتَنٌ، عَلَى أَبْوَابِهَا دُعَاةٌ إِلَى النَّارِ، فَأَنْ تَمُوتَ وَأَنْتَ عَاضٌّ عَلَى جِذْلِ شَجَرَةٍ خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنْ أَنْ تَتْبَعَ أَحَدًا مِنْهُمْ.
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Hadith: 3981 — Ṣaḥīḥah: 1791


Translation: Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There will be tribulations, and at their gates will be callers to the Fire. If you must die while biting on the root of a tree, that is better for you than following one of them.”

◈ Section: Seeking Refuge from Tribulations (بَابُ الْاِسْتِعَاذَةِ مِنَ الْفِتَن)​

Hadith 38


عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَدْعُو فِي الصَّلَاةِ، يَقُولُ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ.
Muttafaqun ʿAlayh – al-Luʾluʾ wal-Marjān, Hadith: 345


Translation: ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to supplicate in prayer saying: “O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, the trial of the false messiah (Dajjāl), the trials of life and death, and from sin and heavy debt.”

◈ Section: Death of Scholars (بَابُ أَمْوَاتِ الْعُلَمَاءِ)​

Hadith 39


عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنَ الْعِبَادِ، وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ...
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Hadith: 100


Translation: ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr رضي الله عنهما reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the people, but He takes away knowledge by the death of scholars. Until, when no scholars remain, people will take ignorant ones as leaders. They will be asked questions and will give fatāwā without knowledge. They will go astray and lead others astray.”

◈ Section: Emergence of the False Messiah (Dajjāl) (بَابُ ظُهُورِ مَسِيحِ الدَّجَّال)​

Hadith 40


وعن النواس بن سمعان قال: ذكر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الدجال ذات غداة قلنا: يا رسول الله وما إسراعه فى الأرض؟ قال: كالغيث استدبرته الريح فيأتي على القوم فيدعوهم فيؤمنون به ويستجيبون له فيأمر السماء فتمطر والأرض فتنبت فتروح عليهم سارحتهم أطول ما كانت ذرى وأسبغه ضروعا وأمده خواصر ثم يأتى القوم فيدعوهم فيردون عليه قوله فينصرف عنهم فيصبحون ممحلين ليس بأيديهم شيء من أموالهم ويمر بالخربة فيقول لها: أخرجي كنوزك فتتبعه كنوزها كيعاسيب النحل.
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Fitan, Hadith: 7373


Translation: Nawwās ibn Samʿān رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke one morning about the Dajjāl and said: “He will pass through the earth like wind-driven rain, calling people to believe in him. Those who respond will prosper materially—rain will fall, crops will grow, and livestock will return fat. Those who refuse will suffer drought and poverty. He will say to the earth: ‘Bring forth your treasures,’ and they will come forth like swarms of bees...”