30 — The Frequency of Earthquakes:

Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The Hour will not come until earthquakes become frequent” (1).

Salama ibn Nufayl al-Sakūnī said: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) … (He then related the hadith, which included the words): “Shortly before the Hour, there will be severe, widespread mortality, followed by years of earthquakes” (2).

Ibn Hajar said: “Many earthquakes have occurred in numerous northern, eastern, and western lands. However, what appears to be meant by their frequency is that they will be widespread and continual” (3).

This is supported by what was narrated from Abd Allah ibn Hawāla (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) placed his hand on my head—or on the crown of my head—and said: “O Ibn Hawāla! When you see the caliphate established in the Holy Land, earthquakes, calamities, and momentous events will have drawn near. On that day, the Hour will be closer to the people than this hand of mine is to your head” (4).