The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The Hour will not be established till you fight a nation wearing hairy shoes, and till you fight the Turks, who will have small eyes, red faces and flat noses; and their faces will be like flat shields. And you will find that the best people are those who hate responsibility of ruling most of all till they are chosen to be the rulers. And the people are of different natures: The best in the pre-lslamic period are the best in Islam. A time will come when any of you will love to see me rather than to have his family and property doubled."
Commentary on the Prophetic Signs
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari contains multiple prophecies and wisdom. The description of nations refers to specific physical characteristics Allah created in different peoples, not as derogatory remarks but as identifying signs. The mention of fighting indicates future military engagements that will occur as part of divine decree.
Spiritual Wisdom on Leadership
The Prophet's statement about those who hate ruling being the best rulers reflects profound Islamic governance principles. True leadership in Islam is a trust (amanah), not a privilege. The most qualified are those who approach it with humility and reluctance, fearing they may not fulfill its heavy responsibilities before Allah.
Continuity of Character
"The best in pre-Islamic period are the best in Islam" demonstrates that Islam perfects noble character rather than erasing one's past. Good qualities like honesty, courage, and generosity before Islam become elevated and purified through faith, showing the compatibility of innate virtue with divine guidance.
Yearning for the Prophet
The final prophecy about preferring to see the Prophet over worldly gains indicates both the increasing spiritual deficiency in later times and the supreme value of the Prophet's company. This teaches us to prioritize spiritual connection over material accumulation and to increase our love for Allah's Messenger.