Page 115: Part 2: Intermediate Signs that Have Appeared and Continue to Unfold

The Second Chapter: On the Intermediate Signs that Have Appeared and Have Not Ceased

Rather, they continue to increase until they reach full manifestation and connect with the third category. Let us briefly recount their hadiths.

Among them is: "The Hour will not be established until the most prosperous of people in worldly matters will be the vile son of a vile person (Luka' ibn Luka')." It was narrated by Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Diya' on the authority of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him), and by Ibn Mardawayh on the authority of 'Ali (may Allah ennoble his face).

Al-Luka' means: a slave, a fool, or an ignoble person; meaning, until the ignoble, the foolish, or the enslaved become the leaders of the people.

And among them is: "A time will come upon the people when the one who is patient upon his religion will be like someone holding onto hot coals." It was narrated by al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), which is a metaphor for the absence of helpers and supporters in practicing the religion.

And among them is: "There will be at the end of time ignorant worshipers and corrupt Qur'an reciters." It was narrated by Abu Nu'aym and al-Hakim on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him).

And among them is: "The Hour will not be established until people boast about one another concerning the mosques." It was narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Ibn Hibban on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him).

And among them is: "Among the signs of the Hour are: vulgarity, obscenity in speech and action, severing ties of kinship, mistrusting the trustworthy, and trusting the treacherous." It was narrated by al-Tabarani on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him).

And among them is: "Among the signs of the approach of the Hour is the swelling of the crescents, and that the crescent moon will be seen prematurely (qubulan, with two fathahs; meaning, the moment it rises), so it will be said: 'It is two nights old.'" It was narrated by al-Tabarani on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud and Anas (may Allah be pleased with them both).