Wars and Bloodshed as a Precursor to Qiyamah
The concept of Qiyamah, or the Day of Judgment, holds immense significance in Islamic belief. According to the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith, the end of the world and the ensuing Day of Judgment are foreseen as events that will be preceded by a series of ominous signs. Among the most striking of these signs is the escalation of wars and bloodshed, where conflicts will intensify, and human life will become cheap. In Islamic eschatology, this bloodshed is not just an event but a precursor to the ultimate day of reckoning, Qiyamah.
Introduction to Qiyamah and Its Signs
The belief in Qiyamah is one of the six pillars of faith in Islam. Muslims believe that the world will eventually come to an end, and every soul will be judged based on their deeds. The Qur’an and Hadith describe many signs that will mark the approach of this momentous day. Some of these signs are minor, occurring gradually over time, while others are major signs, signaling that Qiyamah is imminent.
The signs include natural phenomena, social upheaval, the appearance of certain figures, and the breakdown of moral and societal structures. Among these, the prevalence of wars, conflicts, and bloodshed stands out as a powerful and disturbing signal of the end times.
Qur’anic Perspective on War and Bloodshed
The Qur’an speaks of war in various contexts, often emphasizing its destructive nature and the consequences it brings. However, it also acknowledges that war, in some circumstances, may be a necessity in order to defend truth, justice, and faith. While the Qur’an does not explicitly state that wars will increase as a precursor to Qiyamah, it alludes to the moral decline and corruption that will occur in the latter days.
Wars as a Divine Test
In the Qur’an, wars are sometimes depicted as a test for believers. In Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (SWT) says:
وَإِذْ يَحْشُرُكُمْ لِيَوْمٍ نَحْسٍ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ فِيهِ سَمَعًا وَرَاءً وَيُحْشِرُكُمْ فِي الْجَمْعِ لِيَسْتَفِيدُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ
“And when He gathers you for a Day of Gathering, the Day of Judgment, you will be gathered as an assembly for the criminals.” (Quran 37: 57)
This verse reminds the believers that their actions in life will eventually lead to an assembly on the Day of Judgment. The verse implicitly calls attention to the consequences of conflict and war that can distort justice and lead people astray.
In Surah Muhammad (47:4), Allah (SWT) reminds the believers that war, though essential for the defense of faith, is a matter of great responsibility and caution:
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَضَرَبْتُمُ الْرِقَابَ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا الْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا
“So when you meet those who disbelieve, strike their necks until, when you have inflicted a slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds. And either confer favor afterward or ransom them until the war lays down its burdens.” (Quran 47:4)
The verse refers to a time of battle, indicating that war can be an instrument of divine justice. However, it also emphasizes restraint, mercy, and the importance of putting an end to conflict when possible.
The Destructive Nature of War
The Qur’an also speaks about the destructive and soul-corrupting nature of conflict and bloodshed. The moral decay seen in wars is a reflection of the greater spiritual and societal breakdown that will occur before Qiyamah. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:191) refers to the sorrow and devastation that war brings:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلا تَفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
“And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.” (Quran 2:191)
Here, the principle of limiting conflict to only what is necessary is emphasized, highlighting that war should not result in excessive violence or harm to the environment or innocent people.
In Surah Al-Isra (17:16), Allah warns about the consequences of corruption and bloodshed:
وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَنْ نُهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَاهَا تَدْمِيرًا
“And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent, but they commit corruption within it; and thus the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with complete destruction.” (Quran 17:16)
This verse signifies how societal corruption leads to the destruction of entire civilizations, mirroring the bloodshed and the anarchy that will engulf the world before the arrival of Qiyamah.
Hadith on Wars and Bloodshed before Qiyamah
The Hadith literature provides further insight into the role of wars and bloodshed as harbingers of Qiyamah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered numerous sayings about the final days, where conflict and strife would be widespread. Several narrations describe the breakdown of social and moral values, leading to wars and bloodshed on an unprecedented scale.
The Increase in Bloodshed
One of the most well-known Hadiths on this topic is the narration in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
يَكْثُرُ الهَرْجُ، قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الهَرْجُ؟ فَقَالَ: القَتْلُ، القَتْلُ، حَتَّى يَمُرَّ الرَّجُلُ بِقَبْرِ أَخِيهِ فَيَقُولُ: يَا لَيْتَنِي مَكَانَهُ
“There will be so much bloodshed that a man will pass by a grave and wish he were the one buried there.” (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith describes a period of intense violence and warfare, where people will long for death as a relief from the carnage. The scale of bloodshed will be so overwhelming that even the living will envy the dead, a clear indication of the devastation that will precede Qiyamah.
The Emergence of False Prophets and Leaders
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also mentioned the appearance of false leaders and individuals who will contribute to the widespread conflicts before the end of time. In a famous Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari, he states:
إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ سِنِينَ خَدَّاعَةً، يُصَدَّقُ فِيهَا الْكَاذِبُ، وَيُكَذَّبُ فِيهَا الصَّادِقُ، وَيُؤْتَمَنُ فِيهَا الْخَائِنُ، وَيُخَوَّنُ فِيهَا الْأَمِينُ، وَيَنْطِقُ فِيهَا الرُّوَيْبِضَةُ
“Before the Hour comes, there will be years of treachery, where a liar will be believed and a truthful person will be disbelieved, a traitor will be trusted, and the trustworthy will be considered a traitor. The Ruwaybidah will speak.” (Sahih Bukhari)
The term Ruwaybidah refers to foolish or corrupt leaders who will gain power in the absence of proper leadership. Their rise to power will lead to further chaos, and the breakdown of societal order, contributing to wars and violence as the world approaches the end times.
The Major Wars Leading to Qiyamah
Among the major signs of Qiyamah, according to the Hadith, is a series of large-scale wars. One of the most significant of these is the great war, known as Malhamah, that will be fought between the Muslims and the forces of disbelief. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ خِيَارُ النَّاسِ مَلَاحِمُهُمْ
“The time will come when the best of people will be those who fight the enemy at the front lines.” (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith refers to a future time when believers will be engaged in intense warfare, defending their faith against the forces of evil. This final war will be pivotal in the lead-up to Qiyamah.
The Nature of Bloodshed Before Qiyamah
The wars and bloodshed leading up to Qiyamah are not just conflicts between armies, but a manifestation of the moral collapse and spiritual decay of humanity. As people grow increasingly corrupt, driven by greed, pride, and hatred, they will lose all sense of compassion, leading to the widespread killing of innocents and the destruction of societies.
One of the signs that will herald the approach of Qiyamah is the rise in conflicts between tribes and nations. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، لَا تَذْهَبُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ عَلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمٌ لَا يَدْرِي الْقَاتِلُ فِيمَ قَتَلَ، وَلَا الْمَقْتُولُ فِيمَ قُتِلَ
“By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the world will not end until a time comes when the killer will not know why he killed, and the one who was killed will not know why he was killed.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2908)
This Hadith signifies that before the end, the world will be engulfed in prolonged warfare. These wars, characterized by extreme violence, will be a sign that humanity is nearing its final test before the Day of Judgment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the prevalence of wars and bloodshed in the period leading up to Qiyamah serves as both a warning and a test for humanity. The Qur’an and Hadith emphasize that such conflicts, while inevitable, will be a direct result of moral and societal decay. The escalation of violence is a precursor to the divine reckoning that will occur on the Day of Judgment.
Muslims are called to remain steadfast in their faith, avoid corruption, and strive for peace, even in times of conflict. The approach of Qiyamah reminds humanity of the fragility of life and the importance of striving for righteousness. By understanding the signs of the end times, believers are encouraged to prepare for the coming of the Hour, striving to live in a way that aligns with the teachings of Islam, and seeking to contribute to a world of justice, compassion, and peace.
To learn more, comment below or Message us on WhatsApp: +880-1716-988-953 or call us at +44-73801-27019. Email at hi@islamidawahcenter.com
===============================================
Join IDC & be a part of Sadaqah Jariyah.
- Visit Link 01 and Link 02 to learn about IDC and IDC Foundation.
- Click Here to learn more about IDC Madrasa & IDC Foundation.
- If you want to become a permanent member/partner of IDC Madrasa, visit This Link.
- Contribute to the IDC Orphanage & IDC Foundation to succeed in this world and the Hereafter.
- For the Treatment of severe illnesses based on the guidance of the Quran and Hadith, Contact IDC.
- Join This Group to learn and share knowledge about Islamic topics.