Hadith Text and Context

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "I have been sent and the Hour (is at hand) as these two (fingers)." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6504)

This profound statement was delivered while the Prophet held his index and middle fingers close together, demonstrating the proximity between his mission and the Day of Judgment.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that the gesture of two fingers signifies extreme closeness in time from the perspective of divine knowledge, though the exact timing remains with Allah alone.

The great scholar Imam al-Qurtubi notes that this hadith emphasizes the urgency of preparation for the Hereafter, as the entire duration of this Ummah until the Hour is like a single day in the grand scheme of creation.

Ibn al-Jawzi comments in Kashf al-Mushkil that the proximity mentioned refers to the relative nearness in the timeline of prophethood, making the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) the final messenger and his Ummah the last community before the Hour.

Spiritual Implications

This narration serves as a powerful reminder of life's temporality and the urgency of righteous action. Every moment brings us closer to our ultimate accountability.

The hadith instills "tender-heartedness" (riqaq) by awakening consciousness of mortality and encouraging immediate repentance and devotion.

Scholars emphasize that while the exact hour is unknown, the spiritual preparation must begin now, for death is the individual's personal "hour" that precedes the collective Hour.

Practical Applications

Increase in voluntary worship and charity, recognizing that opportunities for good deeds are limited by time.

Strengthen consciousness in daily actions, remembering that each moment could be one's last.

Prioritize the Hereafter over worldly pursuits, balancing necessary worldly engagements with eternal preparations.