Dangers Of The End Times

Number one: let us recognize the threat. Let us appreciate the gravity of the moment that we are in. That because this is the first phase of the End of Days, it means that the problems, the challenges, the catastrophes, and the disasters, will intensify greatly, and that they are much worse than anything we have ever experienced in the past. Why? Because the techniques, the threats have evolved, they have become much more sophisticated than they were 50 years ago, or 200 years ago. And so, number one, acknowledge the level of the threat. Acknowledge the danger that lurks.

Number two: let's prepare for them. One hadith in Mustadrak al-Wasaʾil by Al-Mirza an-Nuri, Radwan Allahi Ta'ala alayh, for instance, speaking about the End of Days, Rasul Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam [Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa Aali Muhammad], he says: "Ya'ti 'ala Ummati zamanun", there is going to be a time that my Nation will go through, where, he says: number one: "An-nasu la yarifuna al-ulama, illa bi 'l-libasin hasan", they won't be able to recognize a scholar unless that scholar is very well dressed. In other words, they, as we say colloquially, they will judge the book by its cover. They will judge a scholar, and the level of knowledge that he has, in proportion to how well dressed he is, to whether or not he is wearing brand names, to how presentable he is, to how well groomed he is.

Whereas we know that there is no proportionality between possessing knowledge and looking good, right? Someone who does this is a performer. Again, nobody is saying that you shouldn't wear nice clothes, but to associate these two qualities, wearing good clothes, being fashion conscious and being a scholar, that's the disaster. That's how they will identify a scholar. That's how they will choose who to follow, who to listen to. So, number one: "la yarifuna al-ulama, illa bi 'th-thiyabin hasan, bi 'th-thawbin hasan, bi 'l-libasin hasan".

Number two: and they won't recognize the Qur'an, "illa bi 's-sawtin hasan". In other words, an association has been made between the Qur'an and beautiful melodic recitation. Whereas the Qur'an, its essence, isn't the way it is recited. In fact, we have a hadith against these newfound melodic, singing-like voices. We have traditions against this. Traditions tell us that when you recite the Qur'an, do so "bi sawtin hazeen", which, I think in this day and age, the closest semblance to this, is probably the Iraqi style, which is sad. The Prophet says that they will only recognize the Qur'an if it's recited in a very beautiful way. In other words, there is no focus on the content, on the essence of the Qur'an. The focus is on the voice. Number two.

Number three: the Prophet says: "Wa laya yabuduna Allah, illa fi 'sh-Shahri Ramadan". They will only worship Allah during the holy month of Ramadan. This is 1400 years ago. The Prophet then says that, when that happens, tyrants will rule over them. Tyrants who lack mercy in their hearts, and who are ignorant to the core. One thing leads to another. Another hadith by Imam as-Sadiq alayhi as-salam says: "Kaifa bikum?", he quotes Rasul Allah. He says: "Kaifa bikum?", what will you do on this day when it comes to you?

"Kaifa bikum idha fasadat nisa'ukum? Wa fasaqa shababukum? Wa lam ta'muru bi 'l-mar'uf wa lam tanhaw 'an il-munkar?" The day when your women will be spoiled. Spoiled, meaning they will rot, which is probably something that explains the difference between: "fasadat nisa'ukum wa fasaqa shababukum". The difference is that the women will rot secretly, on the inside, shame, and decency, and these things will be eroded. Whereas with the men and the youth who are male "fasaqu", they will outwardly and openly and conspicuously start committing sins in public.

"Kaifa bikum idha fasadat nisa'ukum? Wa fasaqa shababukum? Wa lam ta'muru bi 'l-mar'uf wa lam tanhaw 'an il-munkar?" It will be a time when people stop enjoining the good and forbidding evil. Even though these are two obligatory acts in Islam that apply to everyone, not just the scholars, every single person.

You see something evil being committed, a sin taking place, you have to speak out! At least as much as you possibly can, and given all the conditions that have to be satisfied, but ultimately the obligation is there. Enjoin good, invite others to the way of Allah. It is Salat time. Everybody is sitting, talking, wasting time. Brothers, sisters, let's get up and pray. You see a sin being committed, tell them! Speak out! Frown! Walk away!

So they said to the Prophet it's a famous hadith. They said to him: "Aw yakunu dhalika ya Rasul Allah?" Is that even possible? Could that day ever happen? The Prophet said: "Wa sharrun min dhalik". It gets even worse. You think this is the worst of it? "Ta'muruna bi 'l-munkar wa tanhawna ala 'l-ma'ruf". There will come a day when you will enjoin evil and forbid good.

So they say to him: "ya Rasul Allah! Aw yakunu dhalik?". He said: "Wa sharrun min dhalik". It gets even worse than that. Can you imagine? The Prophet said: "Tara'wna al-ma'rufa munkaran, wa al-munkara ma'rufa". There will come a day when you will see good as evil and evil as good. Not only will you command people to commit evil, no, you won't even see evil as evil, you will see it as good. Your entire moral system will be deformed, and transfigured, and completely destroyed.

These are hints, and I am sure you are all intelligent enough to understand what we are talking about here. And how we truly are in this phase of the End of Days.

So in these ahadith, the Prophet and the Imams, have provided us with clear warnings that it is going to get really bad. And it is in those days that you need to take precautions.