Mufthi Sahib, Heard that it is mentioned in Hadees Shareef that one of the signs of nearing the Day of Qiyamath is, the occurrence of solar and lunar eclipse in the same month of Ramadhan. Heard that the occurrence had taken place 2 years before in Syria or some other country. Now what is to be known is that whether this incident had taken place or no? If it has taken place then on which basis had Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam given this prediction to Ummath? After this incident, how should the righteous people of the present day take steps keeping in front of them the other predictions whatsoever given by Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam with regard to the signs of Qiyamath? Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam has foretold all what is to be happens and the history too enlightens us about the future as mentioned in Al-Bidayah Wan Nihayah. Yet, how is it to proceed forward without having a deep study on these things? Kindly reply in detail with regard to these things in the light of Qur’an and Sunnath and be rewarded in both the worlds. Also please console us so that we succeed in Dunya and Aakhira. Aameen! Mohamed Riyaz (Rawalpindi)
الجواب حامدا و مصلیا
Knowledge of the exact occurrence of the Qiyama is not known to anybody except the Almighty, Allah. In Narration of Ahadees Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has mentioned signs of Qiyamah and not any identical day or year. The major signs of Qiyama are mentioned in the books of Ahadees and a few of which have already taken place and many more are yet to appear. However the biggest sign among these signs is the appearance of Mehdi and the appearance of Mehdi too is not fixed with a particular day. As for the occurrence of two eclipses during the month of Ramadhan, reference of same is found in Sunan e Dar e Quthni Vol.6 page no 65. From this Hadees it is made to understand that a lunar eclipse would occur on the 1st night of that Ramadhan and in the mid of same Ramadhan a solar eclipse would occur whereas this Narration is (Dha’eef) Weak and non-supportive in inference due to objections raised upon the Narrators as apparent in At Th’leequl Mughni Alad Dar Quthni Vol 2, page 65.
Even if this Hadees is taken to be granted as (Saheeh) Authentic, yet, there is no mention of a particular year. Just as many other signs of Qiyama have appeared, there is no harm in appearing of this sign too because the occurrence of Qiyama immediately after this, is nowhere mentioned in it. Further, occurrence of lunar eclipse on the first night is hardly possible and in this respect too this weak Narration is contradictory to observations. Hence, instead of waiting to witness these signs it is necessary to spend one’s time in engaging in virtuous deeds and refraining from evil.