Issue No: 78
13th May 2011
9th Jamadi al-Thani 1432 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Is the world coming to an end?
The end of the world is near. Harold Camping, a radio based evangelist preacher from Oakland, California, is warning that the end of the world is near. He is confidently predicting that the world will come to an end and Judgment Day will take place on 21st May, at around 6pm, to be specific.
Announcing the message:
A high profile advertising campaign proclaiming the dooms day has been launched through Family Radio Network; a religious broadcasting organisation founded by Harold Camping. More than 2,000 billboards across the US are adorned with slogans, which include "Warning Judgment day 21st May, Blow the trumpet, Warn the people!".
A fleet of camper vans publicising the approaching doomsday message is driving around every state in the United States to warn of the coming of the end of the world.
It’s effect:
The dooms day message creates confusion, panic and fear among some people. By this prediction, the sale of books foretelling the situation increases. Some people start selling their homes, donations to the religious organisation heralding the message swell and the followers become captivated to the preacher of the prophecy.
Is this true?
As these news of the world coming to an end make headlines, a question which I am asked by many is- “Can this be true?”
The response:
For us as muslims, the best source about the end time is the Divine message in the Holy Quran.
“They ask you about the hour, when will be its taking place? Say: The knowledge of it is only with my Lord; none but He shall manifest it at its time…” (Sura Al A’araaf 7 :187)
The Holy Quran clarifies that the information about the hour / time for the end of the world is known to none save only to Allah SWT. Whenever holy Prophet would be queried on this knowledge he would re-iterate that the appointed time is the domain of Allah SWT and it is not known to human beings.
The belief in the Day of Judgment is fundamental to confirmation of ones faith. It is the fifth of the Usul ud Din – Roots of Religion. The fact of coming of the final hour is a certainty.
Our duty is to be prepared for it at all times. Let us work towards attaining success on that day.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat