Hadith Text & Context

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The time will become short, knowledge will be decreased, civil strife (fitan) will appear, niggardliness will be cast into people's heart, and harj will be prevalent." He was asked: "Messenger of Allah! What is it?" He replied: "Slaughter, slaughter."

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 4255 | Book: Trials and Fierce Battles (Kitab Al-Fitan Wa Al-Malahim)

Commentary on the Signs

"Time becoming short" refers to the disappearance of barakah (blessing) in time, where years pass like months, months like weeks, and weeks like days - a clear sign of approaching Qiyamah.

"Knowledge decreased" means the disappearance of true Islamic knowledge through the death of scholars, while ignorance spreads. People will take ignorant leaders who lead them astray.

"Civil strife (fitan) will appear" indicates numerous trials in religion and worldly affairs that will test the believers' faith.

"Niggardliness cast into hearts" signifies the spiritual disease of miserliness becoming widespread, preventing people from spending in Allah's cause.

The Meaning of Harj

The term "harj" linguistically means killing, chaos, and confusion. The Prophet's repetition of "slaughter, slaughter" emphasizes the severity and frequency of killing that will become commonplace.

Scholars explain this refers to widespread murder without legitimate Islamic cause - killing becoming trivialized and life losing its sanctity.

This harj manifests in multiple forms: political assassinations, tribal conflicts, random killings, and general disregard for human life that characterizes the end times.

Scholarly Reflections

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes these signs appear gradually, with each generation witnessing more manifestations than the previous one until the final hour arrives.

The interconnection between these signs is profound: loss of knowledge leads to fitan, which breeds harj, while miserliness prevents charitable works that could alleviate suffering.

This hadith serves as both a warning and guidance - Muslims must hold firmly to the Quran and Sunnah, seek knowledge, and increase in good deeds during such times.