Smaller Signs Of The Day

Imam Shams ad-Din adh-Dhahabi This book, The Major Sins – in Arabic al-Kaba’ir – is unusual among his works, in that rather than being addressed to specialist scholars, it was written for a general readership and covers themes that are relevant to all Muslims both with regard to their religion and their daily lives. In clear language and with great psychological insight, accompanied by scrupulous adherence to the most authentic source, it unmasks the true nature of human wrongdoing and unveils the pitfalls that lie in wait for all human beings during the course of their lives in this world. It is a wake-up call for the heedless, an admonishment for the wrongdoer and a sound guide for those who desire to take the right path to what is pleasing to their Lord.

Like everything, the present universe will also come to an end, and it is a part of our faith to believe in the Last Day. The signs of the Day of Judgment have been foretold by our Prophet (S). Ibn Kathir has collected all the prophesies of the Prophet (S) in his book Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah. In this volume, we have presented from them the signs of the Hour and the events that are yet to take place, although mentioning very few examples of those prophesies that have already been realized.

Introduction

O Allah, send prayers and salutations on Muhammad, his family, and his Companions. This is the Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations. It deals with what the Prophet informed us about regarding the signs of the Hour and the great events that are to take place before the Day of Judgment, all of which we must have faith in, because the Prophet spoke not from desire, but from revelation. Abu Moosa Al-Ash'aree related that the Messenger of Allah said, "This nation of mine is one upon which there is mercy; there is no punishment upon it in the Hereafter; its punishment is in this world - with trials, earthquakes, and killings." Hitherto in our discussion on the unseen past, we covered in detail events that pertain to the beginning of the world, the stories of the prophets, and the history of peoples until our era. Then we discussed the biography of the Prophet (S) mentioning his characteristics and the proofs of his prophet hood. Then we covered some events that the Prophet prophesized about and that have already taken place before our century. When we gave an account of events that took place after the Prophet's death, we pointed out those occurrences about which a Hadeeth gave information. Since we already mentioned those prophesies that have already become realized and since it would be too long to repeat them all here, we will suffice by mentioning only a few examples, after which we will return to the main theme of this work. And we seek help from Allah. * View Sample Pages from this item.