This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Hafiz Mubashir Hussain Lahori's book Signs of the Day of Judgment in the Light of Authentic Hadiths.
Sign of the Day of Judgment: The deserts and wilderness of Arabia will turn into gardens
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا تقوم الساعة حتى تعود أرض العرب مروجا وأنهارا وحتى يسير الراكب بين العراق ومكة لا يخاف إلا ضلال الطريق
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: The Day of Judgment will not be established until the land of the Arabs becomes like gardens and rivers. Furthermore, a rider will travel from Iraq to Mecca, but he will face no danger except losing his way.
Reference: Ahmad (2/488) Muslim (157) Hakim (4/524) Ibn Hibban (15/93) Majma' al-Zawa'id (7/141) al-Durr al-Manshur (6/51)
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : لا تقوم الساعة حتى يكثر المال ويفيض حتى يخرج الرجل بزكاة ماله فلا يجد أحدا يقبلها منه وحتى تعود أرض العرب مروجا وأنهارا
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: The Day of Judgment will not be established until there is an abundance of wealth. A man will go out with Zakat money, but no one will accept it (no deserving recipient will be found), and until the land of the Arabs turns into gardens, spring, and rivers.
Reference: Muslim (107 - 2339) Ahmad (4882) Hakim (4/524) Hilyat al-Awliya (7/141)
Hazrat Mu'adh (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) set out on the expedition to Tabuk. The Prophet (PBUH) said: Tomorrow, God willing, you will reach the spring of Tabuk, but do not arrive before the sun rises, and whoever arrives there should not touch the water of that spring until I arrive. When we reached there, two men had already arrived before us, and only a very small amount of water was flowing from that spring, about the size of a shoe strap. The Noble Prophet (PBUH) asked them if they had touched the water. They said: Yes! Then the Prophet (PBUH) reprimanded them. Then the people collected the water with their bowls into one vessel. The Prophet (PBUH) washed his hands and face in that vessel and poured it back into the spring. Then abundant water began to flow from that spring until all the people drank from it. Then the Prophet (PBUH) said:
يوشك يا معاذ إن طالت بك حياة أن ترى ما ههنا قد ملئ جنانا
O Mu'adh (RA)! If your life is prolonged, you will see this place turn into gardens and spring.
Reference: Muslim (1391) Ahmad (5/301) Abu Dawood (1206) Nasai (586) Ibn Majah (1056)
Benefits:
➊ The land of Arabia consisted of mountains, deserts, and wilderness, but the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that before the Day of Judgment, these deserts will turn into gardens and orchards, and this prophecy has been rapidly coming true in recent times.
➋ The transformation of the deserts and wilderness of Arabia into gardens and flowing rivers is a sign of the Day of Judgment.
➌ Some geographers believe that in the distant past, the land of the Arabian Peninsula was lush and green, with many rivers and canals, but gradually it turned into barren deserts. However, this land will once again become a garden and orchard due to climatic changes.
➍ In fact, many springs are being discovered in the land of Arabia, and agriculture has progressed from just date palms to many other crops.
➎ One interpretation of the mentioned hadith is that if people migrate from Arabia out of fear of trials, the land will begin to become desolate, leaving only water and grass. However, this interpretation is less favored.
