The Book of Tribulations and Portents of the Last Hour

Sahih Muslim 2894 a

Hadith Text

The Last Hour would not come before the Euphrates uncovers a mountain of gold, for which people would fight. Ninety-nine out of each one hundred would die but every man amongst them would say that perhaps he would be the one who would be saved (and thus possess this gold).

Commentary

This hadith from Sahih Muslim describes one of the major signs preceding the Day of Judgment. The Euphrates River, one of the great rivers of the Islamic world, will recede to reveal a treasure of gold. This will become a severe trial for humanity, as people will abandon their faith and moral principles in pursuit of worldly wealth.

The scholars explain that this gold represents the ultimate test of material desire. When people learn of this treasure, they will rush to acquire it, leading to massive bloodshed where 99% of participants perish. The tragedy is compounded by the delusion of each person who believes they will be the fortunate survivor, demonstrating the powerful deception of worldly attachments.

This portent serves as a warning against the love of wealth and its ability to corrupt hearts and destroy communities. The wise believer should recognize that no amount of worldly treasure is worth jeopardizing one's faith and eternal salvation. The true treasure lies in obedience to Allah and preparation for the Hereafter.

Historical Context

Classical commentators note that the Euphrates holds significant importance in Islamic eschatology. Several major events are prophesied to occur near this river, including this uncovering of gold and the subsequent battles. The region around the Euphrates has historically been a center of civilization and conflict, making this prophecy particularly relevant to understanding end-times scenarios.