I and the Last Hour have been sent like this. Shu'ba said: I heard Qatada as saying in his narration: The excellence of one over the other. And I do not know whether he narrated it from Anas or Qatada himself said so.
The Book of Tribulations and Portents of the Last Hour - Sahih Muslim 2951 a
This profound hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) indicates the close proximity between his advent and the coming of the Hour. The gesture "like this" - as narrated with two fingers held close together - demonstrates that no other prophethood separates his time from the Final Hour.
Scholarly Commentary
The phrase "I and the Last Hour have been sent like this" signifies that the Prophet's mission marks the final era of human history. Scholars explain this means he was the last Messenger and his ummah is the final community.
The uncertainty in the chain regarding whether Qatada attributed "the excellence of one over the other" to Anas or said it himself reflects the meticulous preservation of hadith, where narrators carefully distinguished between direct transmission and personal commentary.
This hadith serves as a powerful reminder of the temporal proximity to the Hereafter and emphasizes the urgency in preparing for the Akhirah through righteous deeds and adherence to the Prophetic guidance.
Spiritual Implications
Understanding this proximity should awaken believers to the seriousness of their spiritual state and encourage immediate repentance and devotion.
The hadith does not specify the exact duration but emphasizes the qualitative relationship between the Prophetic era and the end times, urging constant vigilance.