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قQuranicpediaEncyclopedia of the Glorious Qur’an

The Hour (as-Sa'ah) السَّاعَة

In review — pending scholar verification

The moment of arrival of the Day of Judgement — knowledge of its timing reserved exclusively to Allah; recognised by the major signs that herald its imminence.

Overview

As-Sāʿah (Arabic: السَّاعَة; "the Hour") is the moment of arrival of the Day of Judgement. The Quran sometimes uses the term for the moment itself, sometimes for the entire Day. Knowledge of its precise timing belongs exclusively to Allah — Surah Al-Aʿraf 7:187, Luqman 31:34, Az-Zukhruf 43:85: "And with Him is knowledge of the Hour."

Quranic references

  • Surah Al-Aʿraf 7:187 — "They ask you about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say: Its knowledge is only with my Lord."
  • Surah Ṭāhā 20:15 — "Indeed, the Hour is coming — I almost conceal it — that every soul may be recompensed for that which it strives."
  • Surah Al-Qamar 54:1 — "The Hour has come near, and the moon has split."
  • Surah Luqman 31:34 — "Indeed, with Allah is knowledge of the Hour."
  • Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:66 — "Are they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?"
  • Surah Muhammad 47:18 — "Then are they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly? Its signs have already come."
  • Surah Al-Hajj 22:1–2 — "O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing."

Hadith

In the Hadith of Jibril, when Jibril asked the Prophet ﷺ "When is the Hour?", the Prophet ﷺ replied: "The one being asked knows no more than the one asking." — Sahih Muslim 8
Anas reported the Prophet ﷺ raised his middle and index fingers and said: "I and the Hour have been sent like these two." — Sahih al-Bukhari 6504; Sahih Muslim 2950

Significance

The reservation of the Hour's timing — even from prophets and angels — is a foundational humbling proposition of Islamic eschatology. The signs (minor and ten major) precede the Hour but do not fix it; the Quran emphasises preparedness over speculation.

See also

References

  1. The Quran (Sahih International translation): Surahs Al-Aʿraf 7:187; Ṭāhā 20:15; Al-Hajj 22:1–2; Luqman 31:34; Az-Zukhruf 43:66, 43:85; Muhammad 47:18; Al-Qamar 54:1.
  2. Sahih al-Bukhari 6504; Sahih Muslim 8, 2950.
  3. Ibn Kathir, al-Nihāyah fī al-Fitan wa-l-Malāḥim.
  4. Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar, al-Qiyāmah al-Kubrā, opening chapters.