The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The keys of the unseen are five and none knows them but Allah: (1) None knows (the sex) what is in the womb, but Allah: (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; (4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); (5) and none knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah."
Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 7379
Hadith Text
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The keys of the unseen are five and none knows them but Allah: (1) None knows (the sex) what is in the womb, but Allah: (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; (4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); (5) and none knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah."
Commentary on the Five Keys of the Unseen
This profound hadith establishes the absolute knowledge of Allah alone concerning matters of the unseen (ghayb). These five matters are exclusively within Allah's knowledge, demonstrating His perfect attributes and refuting any claims of knowledge of the unseen by created beings.
The first key concerns knowledge of what is in the womb - whether male or female, righteous or wicked, blessed or unfortunate. This knowledge belongs solely to Allah, refuting soothsayers and fortune-tellers.
The second key pertains to future events of tomorrow - what blessings or trials will come, what decisions people will make, and what outcomes will occur. This emphasizes that all planning ultimately depends on Allah's will.
The third key involves knowledge of when rain will fall - its timing, quantity, and distribution. This demonstrates Allah's control over sustenance and provisions.
The fourth key concerns the place of one's death - a matter unknown to any soul, showing that death comes only by Allah's decree and at the appointed time.
The fifth and greatest key is knowledge of the Final Hour - when the world will end and resurrection will occur. This is the greatest of the unseen matters, known only to Allah.
Scholarly Insights
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that these five matters are called "keys" because they unlock understanding of Allah's exclusive attributes and prevent creation from claiming knowledge they do not possess.
Al-Qurtubi explains that this hadith establishes the foundation of Tawheed by affirming that knowledge of the unseen is among Allah's exclusive attributes, and anyone claiming such knowledge is asserting partnership with Allah.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that these five encompass the beginning of life (what's in the womb), the course of life (future events and rain), the end of life (place of death), and the ultimate end (the Hour).
Practical Implications
This teaching cultivates reliance on Allah alone, protects from superstition and false claims of knowledge, and reinforces the Muslim's understanding that all matters ultimately return to Allah's knowledge and decree.
It teaches humility before the vastness of Allah's knowledge and encourages seeking knowledge only through legitimate means revealed by Allah through His Messengers and Scriptures.