The Disappearance of Knowledge Before Qiyamah: A Detailed Analysis

One of the major signs of Qiyamah (the Day of Judgment) is the disappearance of true knowledge and the rise of ignorance. Islam places immense value on knowledge, as it is the means through which humans attain guidance, wisdom, and nearness to Allah. However, as we approach the end times, knowledge will gradually fade, scholars will pass away, and people will follow misguided leaders. This will lead to moral decay, corruption, and the distortion of Islamic teachings.

Allah commands in the Quran:

“وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا”
(Surah Ta-Ha 20:114)
“And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'”

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also warned:

“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ، وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 100)
“Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the people, but He takes it away by the death of scholars…”

This blog will explore how the disappearance of knowledge is a sign of Qiyamah, its causes, consequences, and how we can preserve Islamic teachings in these challenging times.

The Value of Knowledge in Islam

 

Islam strongly emphasizes the importance of knowledge. The first revelation given to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was about seeking knowledge:

“اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ”
(Surah Al-‘Alaq 96:1)
“Read in the name of your Lord who created.”

This verse highlights that knowledge is the foundation of faith and enlightenment. The Prophet (ﷺ) also said:

“مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ”
(Sahih Muslim 2699)
“Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.”

However, despite the immense value of knowledge, the end times will witness its gradual disappearance, leading to widespread ignorance and corruption.

The Disappearance of Knowledge Before Qiyamah

The Prophecy of Knowledge Disappearing Before Qiyamah

 

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explicitly mentioned that knowledge would disappear as a sign of the coming of Qiyamah. He (ﷺ) said:

“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ، وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ، حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يُبْقِ عَالِمًا، اتَّخَذَ النَّاسُ رُءُوسًا جُهَّالًا، فَسُئِلُوا فَأَفْتَوْا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ، فَضَلُّوا وَأَضَلُّوا”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 100)


“Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the people, but He takes it away by taking (the lives of) the scholars, until no scholar remains.

Then the people will take ignorant leaders, who will be asked for rulings, and they will give rulings without knowledge, thus they will go astray and lead others astray.”

This Hadith indicates that the disappearance of knowledge will not be a sudden event but a gradual process linked to the death of scholars. As true scholars leave this world, their knowledge departs with them, leaving behind a void filled by ignorant individuals who mislead the masses.

Signs of the Decline of Knowledge in Modern Times

 

In the contemporary world, we can witness several signs of the disappearance of knowledge:

The Death of True Scholars

With the passing of scholars who dedicate their lives to preserving and teaching Islam, society is left without true guidance. Their loss marks the decline of authentic religious knowledge, making people susceptible to false teachings.

The Rise of Ignorant Leaders

As true scholars become rare, people turn to unqualified individuals for religious guidance. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned that such leaders would emerge, causing misguidance.

“يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ، يُقَلَّبُ فِيهِ الْحَقُّ بَاطِلًا وَالْبَاطِلُ حَقًّا”
(Musnad Ahmad 16509)
“There will come a time upon the people when the truth will be considered falsehood and falsehood will be considered truth.”

The Spread of Innovation and Misinterpretation

As knowledge disappears, people introduce their own interpretations of religion, leading to innovations (bid’ah) that distort the teachings of Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 2697)
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (Islam) something that does not belong to it, it will be rejected.”

People Seeking Knowledge from Unqualified Sources

In the digital age, many people acquire religious knowledge from unreliable sources, such as social media influencers who lack proper Islamic education. This contributes to widespread ignorance and the spread of false information.

The Consequences of the Disappearance of Knowledge

 

  • Rise of Ignorance – When knowledge disappears, people become ignorant of important religious and worldly matters, leading to misguidance.

  • Spread of Misinterpretation – Without knowledgeable scholars, individuals turn to unqualified sources, causing widespread misconceptions about religion and ethics.

  • Moral and Ethical Decline – Lack of knowledge weakens moral values, leading to increased corruption, dishonesty, and injustice in society.

  • Division and Extremism – Ignorance fuels conflicts, sectarianism, and extremism, as people follow misguided ideologies without proper understanding.

  • Collapse of Justice – Without knowledge, fair judgment is compromised, and injustice becomes rampant in legal, social, and economic systems.

  • Decline in Scientific and Technological Progress – A society that neglects knowledge stagnates, hindering innovation and advancement in various fields.

  • Weakening of Civilization – History has shown that civilizations that abandon knowledge and wisdom eventually decline and collapse.

  • Loss of True Religious Teachings – As scholars pass away, authentic religious teachings fade, leading to distortions and fabrications.

  • Difficulty in Seeking Truth – Without proper knowledge, distinguishing truth from falsehood becomes challenging, making people susceptible to deception.

  • Spiritual and Intellectual Darkness – The disappearance of knowledge results in a lack of enlightenment, leaving societies in a state of confusion and instability.

How to Preserve Knowledge in These Times

 

Despite the challenges, Muslims can take steps to preserve knowledge:

Seeking Knowledge from Authentic Sources

The Quran and Sunnah should be the primary sources of guidance. Allah says:

“وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا”
(Surah Ta-Ha 20:114)
“And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'”

Learning from Qualified Scholars

It is essential to seek knowledge from genuine scholars who have studied the Quran, Hadith, and Islamic sciences under reputable institutions.

Memorizing and Teaching the Quran and Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5027)
“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.”

Avoiding Innovations and Misinformation

It is crucial to verify religious knowledge before accepting or spreading it. False teachings can mislead entire generations.

Conclusion

 

The disappearance of knowledge before Qiyamah is one of the most alarming signs of the end times. As true scholars pass away, ignorance spreads, and people turn to unqualified individuals for guidance, leading to widespread misinterpretation of Islam. This results in moral decline, innovations in religion, and the loss of true understanding of Allah’s commands.

Allah warns in the Quran:

“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ”
(Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11)
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also said:

“سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لَا يَبْقَى مِنَ الإِسْلَامِ إِلَّا اسْمُهُ، وَلَا يَبْقَى مِنَ القُرْآنِ إِلَّا رَسْمُهُ”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 4049)
“A time will come upon the people when nothing will remain of Islam except its name, and nothing will remain of the Quran except its words.”

To protect ourselves from this decline, we must actively seek knowledge, educate future generations, and uphold the true teachings of Islam. May Allah guide us, protect our faith, and grant us beneficial knowledge. Ameen.

 

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