another, or as one of them is longer than the other (1). This is indicated by al-Tirmidhī’s narration: “My mission and the Hour are like these two”—and Abū Dāwūd pointed with his index and middle fingers—“with one extending only slightly beyond the other” (2). In Muslim’s narration, “Shu‘ba said: I also heard Qatāda say while relating it, ‘As one of them extends beyond the other.’ I do not know whether he narrated this from Anas or whether Qatāda said it himself” (3).
Al-Qurtubī said: “The first of them is the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—because he is the prophet of the end times. He was sent with no prophet between him and the Resurrection” (4).
Allah Most High says: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets (40)” [al-Ahzāb: 40].
- The Death of the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him:
Among the signs of the Hour is the death of the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him. In the hadith narrated by Awf ibn Mālik—may Allah be pleased with him—the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Count six events that will occur before the Hour: my death…” (5), and he continued the hadith.