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"END TIMES" PROPHECIES FROM A MUSLIM VISIONARY lor millennium prophecy hunters Frenne. here is a collection of "End Times" prophecies from 7th- century Arabia, which you probably have not come across before. These prophecies do not give actual dates, but neither do they have to be deciphered and extricated from complicated riddles and rhymes; just the simple translation from classical Arabic to English will suffice. To begin with, prophecies of a techno- logical nature: people will compete with one another in the construction of tall buildings;' people will "hop" between the clouds and the earth;* great distances will be covered in short spans of time;* a man will leave his house, and his thigh or hip will tell him what is happening at home.* Are these latter prophecies of aircraft and mobile phones? Is the following a description of military aircraft and the never-ending military con- flicts of the Middle East? Woe to the Arabs because of an evil which has drawn near. Wings! What wings! Long woe in the wings that have a wind in which they move, a wind generated by their movement, and a wind emerging from their sides by their movement. As regards war and violence towards the End Times, the predictions are of much killing, anarchy and bloodshed. One prophecy even details the sanctions on Iraq, saying that this country will not receive food or money because of the non-Arabs.° There is a prediction along those lines for Syria, too.’ Time will tell. Along with these man-made disasters, an increase in earthquakes,’ smog over cities,” acidic rain’” and climatic changes" were also foreseen. Most of the following prophecies con- cern the human character as well as predic- tions concerning politics and finance as the so-called End Times approach: a trust will There is a prediction along those lines for _ strike a chord with the late 20th century Syria, too.’ Time will tell. Along with Western society are those that concern the these man-made disasters, an increase in family: family ties will be cut;2! a man will earthquakes,* smog over cities,’ acidic rain" bey his wife and disobey his mother, and and climatic changes'' were also foreseen. —_wil] treat his friend kindly while shunning Most of the following prophecies con- hig father; trade will be so widespread that cern the human character as well as predic- omen will be forced to help their hus- tions concerning politics and finance as the bands in business;?? they will enter the so-called End Times approach: a trust will workforce out of love for this world: hav- . . ing children will displease them, whilst people will compete with barren women will be pleased at not having one another in the that responsibilty iden wt be fee construction of tall buildings Jet ne ame oe ose anger;” there will be an abundance of ille- O people will "hop" between giumate chiens" adultery and fomication will be prevalent, resulting in previously the clouds and the earth unknown, incurable diseases;* people will e great distances will be indulge in homosexuality;*? women, covered in short spans although dressed, will seem naked;* music : and musical instruments will be in every of time home, and female singers will be very pop- ular.” Can these prophecies and the Prophet who spoke them be taken seriously? The one who spoke them was Muhammad, the central figure of the Islamic faith. One- fifth of the world's population takes him seriously, but could we just say his prophe- ecome a means of making a profit; '? everyone will consume usury—those who do not, will still be touched by it;'* there will be an abundance of critics, tale carri- ers, backbiters and taunters in society; "* trustworthiness will be lost;'° non-religious . a people will have a say in general affairs; ies are mere coincidences or guesswork, religion will be taken lightly;"’ people will maybe even plagiarised from biblical treat a man with respect, out of fear of the sources? Or should we admit that here was evil he might do;" leaders will be oppres- another man who saw the 20th century and sors; people will believe in the stars and _ the new millennium in the Western world? reject Divine Destiny.” (Source: Contributed by Farah McGee, Those prophecies that really seem to e-mail hamidah@ gto.net.om) people will compete with one another in the construction of tall buildings people will "hop" between the clouds and the earth great distances will be covered in short spans of time great distances will be covered in short spans of time Endnotes Dar Al Taqwa Ltd, London, 1991, p. 17. 29. Collected by Haythami. 1. From the collection of Ahadith (Sayings) of 13. Collected by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah, 30. Collected by Muslim; Imam Muslim's Sahih, the Prophet, collected by al-Bukhari; al-Bukhari's quoted by M. Izzat and M. Arif, Al Mahdi and the _ English translation by A. H. Siddiqi, Muhammad Sahih, English translation by M. M. Khan, Kazi End of Time, Dar Al Taqwa, London, 1997, p.48. Ashraf Publishers, Lahore, 1987. Publications, Lahore, Pakistan, 1979. 14. Related by Abdullah Ibn Masood, quoted by 31. Collected by Tirmidhi and Ahmad. 2. Ahadith quoted by Dr E. A. Tori in "Signs M. Z. Ali, op. cit. Before the Day of Judgement”, article at 15, Ahadith collected by al-Bukhari, al-Bukhari's Further References http://pw1.netcom.com/~eton/judgement.html. Sahih, chapter 13.208, Kitab al-Fitan. ¢ Holy Qur'an, English translation, King Fahd 3. Ahadith related by Abu Musa Ash'ari, quoted by M. Z. Ali in "The Minor Signs of the Last Day", article at www.siliconfusion.com/Islam/ Complex, Madinah Al Munawara, Saudi Arabia, 1993. ¢ Al-Ismail, Tahia, The Life of Muhammad, Ta-Ha 16. Ahadith collected by Ahmad, quoted by Ibn Kathir, op. cit., p. 93. Prophecies/qiyaam2.html. U7 sbid: wea Publishers, London, 1988. 4. Ahadith collected by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, 18. Collected by Tirmidhi, quoted by Izzatand ——. Hrijazi, A., But Some Of Its Signs Have Already Musnad of Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Arif, op. cit., p. 69. Come, Al-Fustaat, Texas, USA, 1995. 5. Collected by Abdu't-Razzaq. 19. Ahadith from Haythami's Musannaf, quoted «Shafi, M. M., Major Signs of Qiyamat, Darul 6. Sound ahadith collected by Muslim, quoted by _ by Ibn Kathir, op. cit., p. 17. Ishaat, Karachi, Pakistan, 1994. al-Bukhari and Ibn Majah. 20. ibid. Siddiqi, M. Z., Hadith Literature: Its Origin, 7. ibid. 21. Collected by Ahmad. Development and Special Features, The Islamic $ Conecied by ar Bukhatl A Tor , 22. Collected by Tirmidhi. Texts Society, Cambridge, 1993. . Ahadith quoted by Dr E. A. Tori, op. cit. 10. Collected by Tabarani and Al-Hakim, quoted x Out ” “ me i, ibid Additional Internet Sites by Dr E. A. Tori, op. cit. ~ Suoted by Sr oa On, Wie. . + Identification of the Prophesied Imam Mahdi: 11. Related by Abu Musa Ash'ari, quoted by 25. Related by Ash'ari, quoted by M. Z. Ali. www. irshad.org/islam/prophesy/mahdi.html. M. Z. Ali, op. cit. 26. Collected by Tabarani and Al-Hakim. + Signs of the Last Hour, G. Ghandy: 12. Collected by al-Bukhari and Tirmidhi, quoted 27. ibid. www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/ by Ibn Kathir, Signs before the Day of Judgement, 28. Collected by al-Bukhari and Ibn Majah. signsofthelasthour.html. 68 = NEXUS FEBRUARY — MARCH 2000