Doubts about certain Hadith related to turmoil

20-9-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

My question relates to some Ahadith which I read about relating to turmoil. It talks about how the Muslim army will defeat the Roman army and after the war is over they will hang their swords by the olive trees. Another one talks about ten horsemen. My question makes me have some doubt in some of the Ahadith in that the world has changed nowadays. There are no swords or horsemen like it was in the days of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). As you and I know there are nuclear weapons, accurate missile target systems which some people can launch while they are eating in some place far away from where the war is, so it seems that the persons who wrote this Hadith is talking only about his time and not about the future (how).

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. The two Ahadith referred to are authentic, narrated by Imam Muslim in his 'Saheeh'. Considering the context and content of these two Ahadith and other ones that are of the same meaning, we can say that those dreadful weapons produced by the modern civilization, such as bombs, missiles, and guns will disappear and that the human beings will return in their wars to the primitive weapons such as swords, spears, and other things. Nothing can prevent from believing in the superficial meaning of these Ahadith. In fact, this may happen because of the depletion of the energy resources on which such weapons depend, whether in manufacturing or handling. Or it may happen for other reasons still unknown for us. Or it could be that these Ahadith mean something other than their superficial meaning. Anyway, since these Ahadith are authentic, and there is no solid proof that prevents from explaining them in the light of their surface meaning, so it is incumbent to accept them and not to reject their meaning. Allah (may He be Exalted) Says: {And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.}[59:7]. He also Says: {Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.}[53:3-4]. Allah knows best.