Mawlawi Abdul Samad Shakir
The era in which we live is advancing toward its final phases. The very sending of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) is counted among the earliest signs of the Last Day. Our purpose here is to consider the signs of the End Times and the trials that have become apparent in our own age, and to outline the duties that an Islamic governing authority must uphold in addressing these challenges.
The signs mentioned in the hadiths are not presented merely as information; they serve as guidance, caution, and preparation. In this, we recognize a profound blessing of the Prophet (PBUH) upon the believers of this time.
Since the Islamic Emirate carries the duty of implementing Islamic governance, it must respond to the trials of this age with practical, thoughtful, and principled measures. The most pressing of these trials, along with the responsibilities that follow them, are summarized below.
1. The Blurring of Truth and Falsehood
The hadiths indicate that as the End Times draw near, fitan will increase to such an extent that truth and falsehood will become difficult to distinguish, and many people will turn away from their religion.
Duties of the Islamic System:
1. Strengthen the role of scholars and religious teachers in safeguarding and clarifying sound belief.
2. Incorporate the study of correct creed and the recognition of contemporary trials into educational curricula.
3. Develop structured programs to identify and counter misguided sects and misleading ideological trends.
2. The Expansion of Ideological and Media-Based Influences
The Prophet (PBUH) taught that many tribulations of the End Times will spread through what is seen, heard, and spoken.
Duties of the Islamic System:
1. Establish firm regulation and oversight of media and internet platforms.
2. Take serious and effective measures to prevent moral corruption and intellectual deviation.
3. Strengthen Islamic outreach and develop capable Islamic media to protect the intellectual and spiritual well-being of the Ummah.
3. The Widespread Presence of Injustice and Betrayal
Among the signs of the End Times is the normalization of oppression and the violation of trust.
Duties of the Islamic System:
1. Preserve the integrity of judicial and legal institutions and protect them from corruption.
2. Ensure that positions of responsibility are given only to individuals of proven trustworthiness and competence.
3. Establish clear, transparent systems of oversight and accountability.
4. Large-Scale Conflicts with Non-Muslims and Confrontations with Jewish Forces
Some hadiths describe major conflicts in the End Times, including confrontations with non-Muslim powers and the alignment of forces committed to falsehood.
Duties of the Islamic System:
1. Strengthen military preparedness, security institutions, and public defense capabilities.
2. Keep alive the values of sacrifice, courage, and steadfastness among the population.
3. Prepare the social, administrative, and logistical groundwork necessary for collective mobilization when required.
5. Economic Pressures and Hardship
The hadiths also mention economic blockade and deprivation imposed upon Muslim societies.
Duties of the Islamic System:
1. Support and expand domestic production and self-sufficiency.
2. Prioritize reliance on internal resources over dependence on foreign aid.
3. Establish an Islamic economic framework with practical and modern mechanisms for implementation.
6. The Rise of Unqualified Muftis
The hadiths warn that a time will come when people will turn away from trained scholars and instead seek religious rulings from the unqualified/ignorant.
Duties of the Islamic System:
1. Support capable, sincere scholars and ensure that their guidance is accessible to the public.
2. Create and maintain centers for structured religious consultation and scholarly leadership.
3. Monitor unqualified Muftis who issue rulings and develop practical strategies to highlight and promote knowledgeable and trustworthy scholars.
We have mentioned these particular tribulations because they are widespread, deeply rooted, and have begun to influence society and governance. We ask Allah, Lord of all creation, to protect the Muslim Ummah from every form of fitna and hardship through His mercy and grace.