In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Wars (Signs of the Day of Judgment) (2) — In the Light of Ḥadīth

    ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
    “The Hour will not be established until inheritance is no longer distributed and people will feel no joy over war booty (because so many people will be killed in wars that no one will remain to receive inheritance or spoils).”
    Then ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) pointed with his hand toward Syria and said:
    “The Christians will gather there (from the direction of Rome) to fight against the Muslims, and the Muslims will gather to confront them.”

    The narrator asked: “Do you mean the Christians?”
    He replied: “Yes. A fierce battle will begin at that time.”

    A contingent of Muslims will advance pledging either martyrdom or victory. A severe battle will take place between the two sides until night falls, and both armies will withdraw without decisive victory or defeat. The entire Muslim contingent that participated in the fighting will be killed.

    On the second day, another group of Muslims will step forward with the same pledge of martyrdom or victory. Fighting will continue until evening; again, neither side will prevail, and that Muslim contingent will also be completely killed.

    On the third day, a third group will enter the battlefield with the same resolve. The fighting will continue until evening, and that entire group too will be killed.

    On the fourth day, the remaining Muslim forces will engage in battle. On that day Allah will grant the Muslims victory over their enemies. Such a fierce battle will occur that none like it will have been seen before or after. The casualties will be so immense that if a bird were to fly over the battlefield, it would die before crossing it, while the bodies would still not end.

    From a hundred sons of one father, only one will survive (indicating the enormity of the losses). In such a state, who would rejoice over spoils of war, and among whom would inheritance be distributed?

    During this time, the Muslims will hear news of an even greater calamity: a loud cry will announce that Dajjāl has appeared among their families. On hearing this, they will leave everything behind and rush back. They will send ten horsemen ahead as a vanguard.

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
    “I know their names and the names of their fathers, and I recognize the colors of their horses. On that day, they will be the best horsemen on the face of the earth,”
    or he said,
    “among the best horsemen on the face of the earth.”
    (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)