people do not know.” (187) [al-Arāf: 187].

Allah Most High therefore commands His Prophet Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to inform the people that knowledge of the Hour belongs to Allah alone. He alone knows its full reality and when it will occur; no one in the heavens or on earth knows this.

As Allah Most High says:

“People ask you about the Hour. Say, ‘Knowledge of it rests only with Allah. What could make you know? Perhaps the Hour is near.’” (63) [al-Ahzāb: 63].

And Allah Most High says:

“They ask you about the Hour: ‘When will it take place?’ (42) What have you to do with mentioning it? (43) Its ultimate knowledge rests with your Lord.” [al-Nāziāt: 42–44].

Thus, ultimate knowledge of the Hour belongs to Allah alone.

For this reason, when Gabriel—peace be upon him—asked the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—when the Hour would occur—as related in the lengthy hadith of Gabriel—the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said, “The one questioned about it knows no more than the questioner.” (1)

Gabriel does not know when the Hour will occur, and neither does Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Likewise, Jesus—peace be upon him—does not know when the Hour will occur, even though he will descend shortly before it and his descent is one of the major signs of the Hour, as will be discussed.

Imam Ahmad, Ibn Mājah, and al-Hākim narrated from Abdullah ibn Masūd—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said, “On the night I was taken on the Night Journey, I met Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.”