In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, his family, and his companions.
This is a reflection on one of the signs of the Hour: “al-Harj” — widespread killing and chaos. I had initially titled it “Climbing the Ranks” and then “The Era of Harj”, because the narrations and prophetic signs it contains mirror the very reality we live in today. May Allah forgive the writer, the reader, and all those who pass it along. Ameen.
◼ The Foundational Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The Hour will not come until two large groups fight, and their claim is one; until about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear, each claiming he is a prophet; until knowledge is lifted, earthquakes become frequent, time becomes short, tribulations (fitan) appear, and killing (al-Harj) spreads; until wealth overflows among you and becomes abundant—but no one will accept it; until people compete in constructing buildings; until a man passes by the grave of another and says, ‘Would that I were in his place’; until the sun rises from the west—so when people see it, they will believe, but that is the time when faith will not benefit those who did not believe before; and until two men spread out a cloth between them but do not complete the sale, nor fold it up; until a man milks his animal but does not drink from it; until a man prepares water but does not use it; until a man prepares food but does not eat from it.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations (al-Fitan), Hadith 7121
◼ The Meaning of “al-Harj”: Killing
The Prophet ﷺ clarified the meaning of al-Harj when asked. He said:
“It is killing.”
And indeed, we are living through an era in which killing is rampant. The taking of life has become normalised in every corner of the earth, to the point where it no longer surprises anyone. The murder of one soul is now seen as insignificant.
◼ Signs That Have Been Fulfilled Before Our Eyes
1. The Disappearance of Knowledge and Rise of Ignorance
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported:
“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Knowledge will be taken away, ignorance will be widespread, tribulations will increase, and killing will become common.'”
— Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim
We now live in a time when technology and information are abundant, yet true knowledge is rare, and ignorance dominates even among those who appear educated. The condition of the ummah is a testimony to this.
2. Shortened Time, Fewer Deeds, and Intensified Greed
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Time will contract, deeds will diminish, miserliness will be widespread, and killing (al-Harj) will become rampant.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
We see people racing against time, yet blessings are removed from it. Despite all technological convenience, people have less time for worship, family, or reflection. Greed dominates, and bloodshed continues.
3. Proliferation of Qur’an Reciters, Scarcity of Scholars
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There will be many Qur’an reciters but few jurists; knowledge will be taken away, and killing will become widespread.”
— Reported by al-Tabarani
Today, we see those who recite the Qur’an melodiously and with technical precision, but deep understanding, sincerity, and action upon it are rare. The balance between recitation and fiqh has collapsed.
4. Competition in Building
From the signs of the Hour is:
“When the barefooted, naked, poor shepherds compete in constructing tall buildings.”
Today, this is not just a reality—it is a point of pride. Skyscrapers pierce the clouds in cities that once knew humility. Nations compete for who can build the tallest and grandest, while people die of hunger not far away.
5. People Wishing for Death
From the hadith: “A man will pass by the grave of another and say: ‘Would that I were in his place.’”
This does not mean he wishes for martyrdom or the meeting with Allah, but rather he is consumed by despair and burdened by life’s trials. We hear such phrases constantly today: “I wish I were dead,” or “Better to be gone than alive in this state.”
6. Arabia: Returning to Rivers and Meadows
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The Hour will not come until the land of the Arabs returns to being meadows and rivers.”
— Sahih Muslim
Environmental changes are visible in the Arabian Peninsula. Some places once barren are now green. This is a sign unfolding before our eyes.
7. Marketplaces Converge and Falsehood Spreads
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Fitan will appear, lying will become widespread, markets will draw close, time will shorten, and killing will increase.”
— Reported by Imam Ahmad and Muslim
Markets today are no longer physical. Online platforms have made trade global, instantaneous, and ever-present. Lies, deceit, and misinformation are widespread, not just among rulers, but across society.
◼ Advice for the Believer During the Era of Killing
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“During the era of killing, the believer will protect himself by withdrawing from harm, keeping his tongue and hand away from people… and if his blood or faith is demanded, he offers it up.”
— Multiple chains
And in another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Worship during the time of widespread killing is like emigrating to me.”
— Sahih Muslim
Thus, remaining steadfast upon worship, isolating oneself from fitnah, and safeguarding one’s deen are not just wise—they are prophetic advice.
◼ Our Reality Mirrors the Prophecy
We now live in a time when:
- Muslims are killing each other.
- Blood is cheap, and honor is violated.
- True scholars are few; confusion reigns.
- Earthquakes, disasters, and floods occur frequently.
- The soul is weary, the time is short, and death is near.
- We are in an era where most signs have already appeared.
◼ Final Reflection
The Prophet ﷺ did not speak from his own desire. These signs are not poetic allegories or theoretical musings — they are realities foretold by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ more than 1,400 years ago. Whoever reflects honestly today will see that the era of widespread killing (al-Harj) is not a distant prophecy — it is our lived present.
Let us wake up, prepare our hearts, guard our faith, and cling to the rope of Allah. May He protect us from fitnah, and may He cause us to live and die as Muslims, guided and firm.
And Allah knows best.
