Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
Assalamu ‘alaykum.
I have heard in one of the hadith the Last Day will not come until India has been conquered by Muslims, or something similar to this. What does it mean, and is it authentic?
Answer
Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
There are a few narrations regarding a military campaign against India. Only one is sound.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Two particular groups from my followers have been kept from the Hellfire by Allah: a group who will fight against Hind (referring to the Indian subcontinent before the partition) and a group who will be with Jesus the son of Mary – upon both be peace.“ (Nasa’i)
This is a rigorously authenticated narration, but it does not explicitly provide specific details of when these events will occur.
There are a few other similarly worded narrations that are weak, but they have some more detail.
Abu Hurayra (Allah be well pleased with him) said “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) promised us a campaign to Hind. If were to be martyred I’d be of the best of martyrs, and if I were to return I’d be Abu Hurayra the Freed [from the Hellfire].“ (Ahmad)
This and the other similar narrations are weak. We understand from them collectively that there will be a military campaign of the Muslims to that region when the major signs of the Day of Judgement will come to pass, close to the advent of Jesus (peace and blessings be on him) and that they will be victorious. As for the specifics, Allah knows best.
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani