Benefits of knowledge of Signs of the Hour

Every effort put down by a person in finding out about something should benefit him in some way or the other. The knowledge that does not benefit is useless. However, useful knowledge is always worth spending time and effort on.

Thus, one may ask, does researching about the signs of the Hour and learning about them offer us any benefit in our lives? Or is it mere information which a person adds to his cultural credit without it having any real impact on his life?

Since mention of the signs of the Hour are found in the Qur’an and Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), it therefore brings many benefits to one’s life, including the following:

1) Helps in fulfilling the Obligation of believing in Unseen

One of the important benefits of having this knowledge is fulfilling the obligation of believing in the unseen, which is one or the six pillars of Faith. Allah says: “Who believe in the Ghayb (which means a thing not seen) and perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat­ as-Salaah)” [Al-Baqarah 2:3].

Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “I have been commanded to fight the people until they say Laa ilaaha ill-Allah. Whoever says laa ilaaha ill-Allah, his wealth and his life are protected from me except in cases dictated by Islamic law, and his reckoning will be with Allah.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Belief in the unseen means believing in everything that Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, has related to us or what His Messenger has told us and which has been confirmed to have been authentically narrated from him; whether we witness of these events, we know them to be true.

Included in this, are the signs of the Hour which have been confirmed by the reports from the Prophet (Pbuh). These include the appearance of the Dajjaal, the descent of Eesa ibn Maryam, the emergence of Yajooj and Majooj, the emergence of the Beast, the rising of the sun from the West, and other events mentioned in Sahih (authentic) reports.

2) Helps in encouraging one to Obey Allah and Prepare for Akhirah

Knowledge of the signs of the Hour encourages one to obey Allah and prepare for the Day of Resurrection. It is an admonition for the heedless and encouragement for the repentant to not be content with this world.

This is what the Prophet did with those who were around him when he realized that one of the signs of the Hour was close at hand. It is recorded in the collections of Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (Pbuh) awoke one night and said,

“Woe to the Arabs from all evil that has approached. Today a (hole) like this has been opened in the barrier of Yajooj and Majooj.” He also said. “Wake up the occupants of these dwellings [i.e. his wives] to pray, for one who is well-dressed in this world may be naked in the Hereafter.”

3) Helps in giving explanations to the Shari & Fiqhi rulings

It may offer an explanation of Shari (Islamic legislation) rulings and Fiqhi (Islamic jurisprudence) Issues.

The companions once asked the Prophet concerning the length of days – where one day will be like a year and another day will be like a month – during the time of the Dajjal, “Will it be sufficient to offer only a day’s worth of prayers during those days?” The Prophet replied, “No, rather estimate the timing.”

From this we can also derive the ruling for the prayer of those Muslims who live in areas where day or night may last for several months.

4) Helps in increasing our Trust in the Message of Prophet (Pbuh)

The fact that the Prophet (Pbuh) was aware of the signs of the Hour – which are matters of the unseen and whose knowledge cannot be acquired by mere speculation – is evidence for the truthfulness of his Message, and that he is truly a Messenger from Allah, Glorified and Exalted. Allah is the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He says:

“(He Alone is) the All-Knower of the Ghayb (Unseen), and reveals to none His Ghayb (Unseen).”

“Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of the Unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and behind him.” [Al-Jinn 72:26-27].

5) Helps in removing confusion and makes us deal with the Signs in correct manner

Our knowledge of the signs of the Hour allows us to deal with them in the prescribed manner, eliminating any confusion concerning them.

For example we are told about the Dajjaal in detail: the description of his eye, his forehead, and the things that he will have with him. [All these are mentioned] so that we do not fall prey to his Fitnah (trial); rather [through these things] we will come to know that he is truly a Dajjaal (Liar).

6) Helps in preparing our minds in advance

Being mentally prepared for what may take place, so that we are not taken by surprise [when the events do occur].

7) Helps in offering hope to the believers

Offering hope to the believers because one of the signs of the Hour is the victory of Islam and its spread throughout the earth and the diminishing of Christianity and Judaism. This is based on the prophecies which mention Islam prevailing over and being superior to all other religions, even though the mushrikoon (polytheists, disbelievers) hate (it).

8 ) Helps in satisfying the natural curiosity about knowing future events

Satisfying the natural curiosity of a person who wants to find out what is hidden from him and learn what may happen in the future based on Saheeh reports concerning the unseen matters. Islam blocks the way for deceivers, such as astrologers, fortune tellers, soothsayers and their like, who claim to have knowledge of future events. Islam relates to us, through revelation, a great about these future events which are signs of the Hour.

9) Helps in confirming the Truth of Islam

The faith increases and strengthens when you acquire the knowledge of the belief in the signs of the Hour. As each event comes to occur and the sign appears, it confirms the truth of Islam up on which you are steadfast.

There are many more benefits which have an effect on our lives when you learn about the signs of the Hour. The above mentioned are just some important ones amongst them.