26 — The Spread of Gross Immorality (1), the Severing of Kinship Ties, and the Mistreatment of Neighbors:
Imam Ahmad and al-Hākim narrated from Abd Allah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The Hour will not come until gross immorality, shameless conduct, the severing of kinship ties, and the mistreatment of neighbors become widespread” (2).
Al-Tabarānī narrated in al-Awsat from Anas, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Among the signs of the Hour are gross immorality, shameless conduct, and the severing of kinship ties” (3).
Imam Ahmad also narrated from Ibn Masūd (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Indeed, immediately before the Hour ... there will be the severing of kinship ties” (4).
What the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) foretold has indeed come to pass. Gross immorality has spread among many people, who feel no compunction about speaking openly of the sins they commit and no concern that the punishment entailed by this
(1) *Al-fuhsh* (gross immorality): Ibn al-Athīr said, “It encompasses every sin and act of disobedience that is exceedingly vile. The term *al-fāhisha* frequently denotes illicit sexual intercourse, and every vile trait—whether in speech or deed—is a *fāhisha*.” *Al-Nihāya* (3/415).
(2) *Musnad Ahmad* (10/26–31, Ahmad Shākir’s commentary). He said, “Its chain of transmission is sound.” He also cited al-Hākim’s narration and discussed it at length.
See also *Al-Mustadrak* (1/75–76). Al-Hākim narrated it through three chains of transmission and said, “This is a sound hadith. Al-Bukhārī and Muslim accepted all its narrators as authoritative except Abu Sabra al-Hudhalī. He is a senior Successor whose identity is established; he is mentioned in the musnads and historical works, and no criticism has been levelled against him.” Al-Hākim also cited a corroborating report, and al-Dhahabī concurred with his authentication.
(3) *Majma al-Zawā’id* (7/284). Al-Haythamī said, “Its narrators are trustworthy,” although some of them are disputed. The hadiths cited above corroborate it.
(4) *Musnad Ahmad* (5/333, Ahmad Shākir’s commentary). He said, “Its chain of transmission is sound.”