This, too, is a single hadith from a single Companion, transmitted in two wordings that differ in the order of some of the signs and in the conjunction used: one version uses “or,” while the other uses “and,” neither of which indicates sequence.

What can be ascertained is the order of certain signs from the fact that some will occur immediately after others, as stated in certain narrations. One example is the hadith of al-Nuwwās ibn Samān, may Allah be pleased with him, which will be cited later, Allah willing, Most High. It mentions some of the signs in the order in which they will occur: first, the False Messiah will emerge among the people; then Jesus, peace be upon him, will descend to kill him; then Gog and Magog will emerge during the time of Jesus, peace be upon him; and he will supplicate for their destruction.

Some narrations also state that a particular sign will be the first, while others state that a particular sign will be the last. Even so, scholars have differed concerning which sign will be first. Indeed, this disagreement has existed since the era of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Imam Ahmad and Muslim narrated from Abū Zurah (1), who said: Three Muslim men were sitting with Mārwān ibn al-Hakam in Medina when they heard him state, while speaking about the signs, that the first of them to emerge would be the False Messiah. Abdullah ibn Umar said, “Mārwān has said nothing. I memorized a hadith from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, that I have not forgotten. I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: ‘The first signs to emerge will be the sun rising from the west and the Beast coming forth before the people