came before you; it drove them to shed one another’s blood and violate what was sacred among them” (1).
Qādī Iyād said: “This destruction may refer to the destruction in this world that he reported concerning them—namely, that they shed one another’s blood. It may also refer to destruction in the Hereafter, and this second interpretation is more apparent. Or it may mean that avarice destroyed them in both this world and the Hereafter” (2).
29 – The Proliferation of Trade:
Another of these signs is the proliferation of trade and its spread among people, to the point that women participate in it alongside men.
Imam Ahmad and al-Hākim narrated from Abd Allāh ibn Masūd (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Immediately before the Hour, greetings will be reserved for acquaintances, and trade will become widespread, to the point that a wife will join her husband in business” (3).
Al-Nasāī narrated from Amr ibn Taghlib, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Among the signs of the Hour are that wealth will become widespread and abundant, and that trade will become widespread” (4).