in it, and no hillock, rise, or thorn.” (1).
Al-Nawawī said: “The scholars said: This gathering will take place at the end of this world, shortly before the Resurrection and before the Trumpet is blown. This is established by the Prophet’s words (peace and blessings be upon him): ‘The fire will gather the rest of them; it will spend the night with them, rest at midday with them, and remain with them morning and evening.’” (2).
After citing the hadiths concerning the emergence of the fire and explaining that this gathering will occur in this world, al-Hāfiz Ibn Kathīr said: “These accounts indicate that this is the gathering of those alive at the end of this world, from the various regions of the earth to the place of gathering, namely Greater Syria.... All of this indicates that it will occur at the end of time, when people still eat and drink and ride purchased and other mounts, and when the fire destroys those who lag behind. Had this occurred after the Blast of Resurrection, there would be no more death, no mounts to purchase, no eating or drinking, and no clothing on the gathering grounds.” (3).
As for the gathering of the Hereafter, the hadiths state that all people, believers and disbelievers alike, will be gathered barefoot, naked, uncircumcised (4), and free of blemishes (5). Thus, it is narrated in the Sahīh from Ibn