The end of time is something discussed by many people from a vast array of beliefs, however in the majority of cases it does not lead to any significant change, which is understandable as they ussually lack a relaible source.  However, for Muslims this shouldn’t be the case as we have the only divine text that can truly claim the miracle of preservation, the uncorrupted Qur’an and authenticated hadith of the Prophet (SAW).

“The Prophet (SAW) said the day of judgement was very close over 1400 years ago, so what makes you think it’s any different now?”.  Heard this?  Or “Day of Judgement?  Oh yeh, scary…. anyway did you watch the game?”. In my opinion this is a naive cop out, a denial of the reality that exists before our very eyes.  You ask why would people not take the signs of the day of judgement seriously?  It could be a number of factors, however mostly people don’t like change and anything that will disturb their plans for worldly pursuits, taking them out of their comfort zones.  So people continue to live heedlessly ignoring blatant realities, strange?  Yes, but if people can ignore and pay no attention to the reality of death, which is a truth no one will deny, then it’s also understandable that they can shut out other realities that require some thought.

Allah said: “Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.” (Al-Anbiya’ 21:1)

Unfortunately for all those that want to ignore the signs of Allah, the truth is that as soon as you give this area some sincere reflection and research, it becomes all too clear what the Prophet (SAW) meant when he (saw) said the day of Judgement is close.  When we hear that the day of judgement was said to be near 1400 years ago, it may cause you to think that if all that time has passed, “i’ll live my life too, it’ll probably be in the time of my great great grand children”, but do not be deceived, think deeper.

The idea that the day of judgement was close during the time of the Prophet (SAW) needs to be thought about in relative terms with the period of time that mankind has existed.  If we think about the great amount of time that has elapsed between Adam (AS), the first man, and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) the final Prophet, it is in relation to this amount of time that it can be concluded that the distance between the Prophet (SAW) and the final day is actually very short.  As always the Prophet(SAW) with his wisdom was able to sum this idea up in a few words:

Towards the end of one of his speeches about the day of judgement when the sun was setting and evening was setting in, he(SAW) said, “‘The sun is about to set, and what remains of this world, compared to what has passed, is like what remains of this day compared to what has passed.”

• The previously barefoot Arab Bedouins will compete to build tall buildings
• The slave girls gives birth to her mistress(the mother who is enslaved by her work situation has children who grow up to be uncontrollable and who dominate and tyrannise the family situation.)
• Many women no longer give birth to children
• Everyone is concerned with working so that not only men but women also go out to work
• That family ties are neglected or abandoned
• That time is short
• There are many people who are hard hearted and mean
• That the leader of a people is the worst of them
• That there is much fighting and killing of people
• That the ones who do the killing do not know who they are killing and the ones being killed do not know why they are being killed
• That there are women who wear clothes like a second skin so that they appear naked even though they are clothed, that many people drink alcohol
• That adultery and fornication are common
• That men lie with men and women lie with women
• That female singers and musical instruments are popular
• That usury is so widespread that those who are not directly involved in it are affected by it
• That writing is widespread
• That attempts are made to make the deserts green
• That earthquakes and natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity
• That the Muslims are numerous but powerless, because of their love of this world and fear of death and so are unable to stop the nations of the world invading and plundering them
• That the sun rises from the west – one meaning of which is that the life transaction of Islam is adopted by people living in the western world – this event is also clear however that it is an event that will literally take place.

Which of the above signs that are well documented can we say we have not seen?  And how many of the following have become apparent only recently, i.e. the last few decades.