Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Soon the river "Euphrates" will disclose the treasure (the mountain) of gold, so whoever will be present at that time should not take anything of it." Al-A'raj narrated from Abii Huraira that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the same but he said, "It (Euphrates) will uncover a mountain of gold (under it).
Hadith Text and Context
The noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 7119 describes a momentous sign among the minor signs of the Hour, where the Euphrates River will reveal a mountain of gold. This prophecy from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) serves as both a warning and a test for the believers of the end times.
Scholarly Commentary on the Prohibition
The explicit prohibition against taking this gold, despite its apparent availability, contains profound wisdom. Scholars explain that this treasure emerges under specific divine circumstances that make its acquisition unlawful.
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari elucidates that this gold will appear during times of great tribulation (fitan), and taking it would involve bloodshed and conflict that outweigh any material benefit. The prohibition thus preserves human life and social harmony.
Spiritual Dimensions of the Test
This event represents a severe test of faith where believers must prioritize obedience to Allah's command over worldly temptation. The mountain of gold symbolizes the ultimate material desire, and abstaining from it demonstrates complete submission to divine will.
Classical scholars note that those who heed this warning will be rewarded with something far greater than gold - the pleasure of Allah and protection from the spiritual harms of unlawful wealth acquired through disobedience.
Eschatological Significance
This sign belongs to the minor signs preceding the Day of Judgment, indicating the approaching end of worldly existence. Its occurrence signals the deterioration of moral consciousness where people would normally rush toward material gain despite clear religious prohibitions.
The variation in narration between "treasure" and "mountain" of gold indicates the immense quantity that will be revealed, making the test even more severe for those witnessing this phenomenon.