The Signs of the Hour

Book excerpt: Islamic eschatology is a topic that continuously grabs the attention of many Muslims due to its grave importance in Islamic theology. Its contents embody many supernatural events that are bound to be witnessed by many, and this further amplifies the fascination of many with this genre of scripture in the Islamic tradition. A major category of Islamic eschatology revolves around the signs of the Hour: the signs and events that manifest prior to the Day of Judgement, indicating its dire imminence. These signs, which were foretold the Prophet, serve as reminders to the Muslim community so that they may prepare themselves and be attentive to the Hour and Day of Judgement. Despite this topic's grave importance, many weak and historically inauthentic hadiths are carelessly circulated in many Muslim circles today. Perhaps what makes the matter even more challenging is the fact that some popular Muslim public figures continue to disseminate such weak traditions, further facilitating the spread of inauthentic narratives. This book serves as an attempt to prove the Muslim community with an accessible and comprehensive collection of authentic hadiths on the signs of the Hour, and perhaps it can be the stepping stone for a more mature discourse on Islamic eschatology.