True Knowledge Decline Before the End Times
The quest for knowledge has always been at the heart of Islamic teachings. In fact, one of the very first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized the importance of knowledge:
“اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ”
(Surah Al-Alaq 96:1)
“Read in the name of your Lord who created.”
This command to seek knowledge was not limited to religious studies but encompasses all forms of beneficial knowledge, including sciences, arts, and every field that promotes human well-being. However, the Quran and Hadith also forewarn of the decline of true knowledge before the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah). This decline is not just about the loss of intellectual ability or the spread of ignorance; it is about the distortion of knowledge and the misuse of it, leading to moral corruption, confusion, and deviation from the true path.
In this blog post, we will delve into the signs of the decline of true knowledge as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. We will explore how the loss of authentic knowledge will manifest before Qiyamah, its consequences on society, and the role that technology and cultural shifts may play in this phenomenon. Both Quranic verses and authentic Hadiths will be presented in Arabic, with translations and interpretations in English.
The Importance of Knowledge in Islam
Before we discuss the decline of knowledge, it is important to understand the significance of knowledge in Islam. Allah has emphasized the value of knowledge throughout the Quran. It is the key to understanding His commands and living a righteous life. Several verses highlight how knowledge is essential for piety, salvation, and leading a meaningful life.
In the Quran, Allah says:
“يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ”
(Surah Al-Mujadila 58:11)
“Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees.”
This verse indicates that the acquisition of knowledge is not only a means of personal growth but also a means of elevation in the sight of Allah. In addition to this, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also highlighted the importance of seeking knowledge:
“طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ وَمُسْلِمَةٍ”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female.”
Knowledge, when properly acquired and applied, serves as a tool for understanding the world, fostering justice, and achieving harmony within society. However, as the end times approach, Islam foretells that true knowledge will gradually disappear, and its place will be taken by ignorance, confusion, and falsehood.
The Decline of True Knowledge: Quranic Prophecies
The Quran provides several hints and prophecies about the decline of true knowledge as the Day of Judgment approaches. The first and foremost sign of the decline of true knowledge is the loss of scholars who preserve and transmit authentic knowledge. This gradual loss of scholars leads to the spread of ignorance, which results in the misguidance of people.
In Surah Al-A’raf, Allah warns of a time when knowledge will disappear and the people will remain in a state of ignorance:
“وَقَالُوا لَوْ كُنَّ نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّ فِي أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ”
(Surah Al-Mulk 67:10)
“And they say, ‘If only we had listened or used our intellect, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.'”
(Surah Al-Mulk 67:10)
This verse signifies that at the end of times, when knowledge becomes scarce, people will regret not using their intellect and not seeking knowledge when it was available.
In another verse, Allah speaks about how knowledge will diminish:
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ إِنْتِزَاعًا يَفْتَسِدُهُ مِنْ قُلُوبِ النَّاسِ وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُهُ بِمَوْتِ الْعُلَمَاءِ حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يُبْقِ عَالِمًا اتَّخَذَ النَّاسُ رُؤُوسًا جُهَّالًا فَسَأَلُوا فَفَتَوَا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَضَلُّوا وَأَضَلُّوا”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
“Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by taking it away from the hearts of the people, but He takes away knowledge by the death of the scholars, until when none of the scholars remains, the people will take ignorant leaders, and they will ask them, and they will give verdicts without knowledge. They are misguided and they misguide others.”
This Hadith clearly explains that one of the major signs of the end times will be the death of scholars, leading to the rise of ignorant leaders who will misguide the masses.
The Role of Ignorance and False Knowledge Before Qiyamah
As the genuine knowledge of Islam begins to diminish, false knowledge will spread. This false knowledge will be misleading and will lead people away from the truth. It is important to note that in the age of information, access to knowledge is widespread, but much of it is distorted, confusing, or false. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned about the prevalence of false knowledge in the end times:
“تَكُونُ فِتَنٌ قَابِضَةٌ عَلَى القُلُوبِ كَمَا يَقْبِضُ الْمِخْيَاطُ”
(Sahih Muslim)
“There will be trials that will seize the hearts of people, just as the thread is seized by the needle.”
This Hadith describes the confusion and chaos that will reign as false ideologies and unverified information become widespread. False knowledge will be promoted by people who claim to have understanding, but their knowledge will lead people to error. The proliferation of misinformation, particularly through modern media and technology, can be seen as a modern manifestation of this Hadith.
The Loss of Scholarly Knowledge and the Rise of Personal Opinions
Another sign of the decline of true knowledge is the replacement of scholars with individuals who lack genuine understanding but speak based on personal opinions. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described this as one of the characteristics of the end times:
“يُؤْتَى فِي آخِرِ الزَّمانِ فِتَنٌ يَكُونُ فِيهَا فِتَنٌ مِّنْ قِبَلِ الرَّؤُوسِ”
(Sunan Abu Dawood)
“In the end times, there will be trials that will come from the leaders, and these trials will cause confusion and lead people astray.”
This hadith highlights how leaders without proper knowledge will mislead the masses, and the pursuit of truth will be replaced by the spread of false opinions. This phenomenon is visible today, as self-proclaimed experts and influencers, who lack deep understanding, often dominate public discourse, especially on platforms like social media. People follow their opinions rather than adhering to the knowledge passed down from scholars grounded in Islamic tradition.
The Role of Technology in the Spread of False Knowledge
Technology and the internet play a central role in the spread of knowledge and misinformation. The rise of social media platforms has democratized information dissemination, but it has also facilitated the rapid spread of false knowledge. The Quran and Hadith warned about the consequences of falsehood, and in the modern world, technology has amplified these concerns.
The Quran mentions the dangers of spreading falsehood and how it leads people astray:
“وَإِذَا جَاءَكُمُ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجَحْدِ فَفِي أَذْهَابٍ مُفْتَرِينَ”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:120)
“And when those who deny the truth come to you, they will distort it.”
This verse could apply to the age of the internet, where falsehoods and distortions of the truth are rampant, and people are deceived by unverified information that is shared across digital platforms.
Consequences of the Decline of True Knowledge
The consequences of the decline of true knowledge before the arrival of Qiyamah are dire. As authentic knowledge diminishes, moral decay, social injustice, and confusion about the truth will take hold. People will be more easily swayed by their desires, false ideologies, and misguidance. The loss of knowledge and the spread of ignorance will also lead to the collapse of moral values and the weakening of faith.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described the situation before the arrival of Qiyamah:
“لَا يَأْتِي عَلَيْهِمْ مِّنْ زَمَانٍ إِلَّا وَيُؤْمَرُونَ بِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
“A time will come when they will be commanded with things that were not part of the original teachings of Islam.”
This Hadith reflects the period of confusion where innovations in religion (Bid’ah) and misconceptions will take the place of authentic knowledge.
Conclusion
The decline of true knowledge before the Day of Judgment is one of the most alarming signs of the end times. As mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, the death of scholars, the spread of false knowledge, and the rise of ignorance and confusion will lead to a society where moral decay, misguidance, and materialism will dominate. In our current era, technology and social media have amplified the spread of misinformation, contributing to the confusion and distortion of truth.
As Muslims, it is crucial to seek authentic knowledge, remain grounded in the teachings of the Quran and Hadith, and be cautious of the falsehoods that are prevalent in the world. We must turn to qualified scholars and resist the temptation to rely on unreliable sources for guidance. Ultimately, the pursuit of true knowledge is a key to maintaining our faith, ensuring our salvation, and preparing for the Day of Judgment.
May Allah protect us from the dangers of ignorance, guide us to the truth, and increase us in beneficial knowledge. Ameen.
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