and the Hour like these two,” and he extended his index and middle fingers. Ahmad alone relates this chain, and its isnād is sound ⦗1⦘.

Another chain on his authority

Muslim says in his Ṣaḥīḥ: “Abū Ghassān Mālik ibn ʿAbd al-Wāḥid narrated to us; al-Muʿtamar ibn Sulaymān narrated to us from his father, from Maʿbad ibn Hilāl al-ʿAnazī, from Anas ibn Mālik, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘I and the Hour have been sent like these two.’” This wording is unique to Muslim ⦗2⦘.

Yet another chain from him

Imām Ahmad said: “Muḥammad ibn Jaʿfar narrated to us; Shuʿbah narrated to us, from Abū al-Tayyāḥ. I heard Anas ibn Mālik say: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared, ‘I and the Hour have been sent like these two,’ and he spread his index and middle fingers.” The two Imāms recorded it in their Ṣaḥīḥs through Shuʿbah, from Abū al-Tayyāḥ Yazīd ibn Ḥumayd—Muslim also added Ḥamzah al-Ḍabbī—from Anas, with this wording ⦗3⦘.

Narration of Jābir ibn ʿAbd Allah (may Allah be pleased with him)

Imām Ahmad said: “Muṣʿab ibn Sallām narrated to us; Jaʿfar—namely, Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn—narrated to us, from his father, from Jābir ibn ʿAbd Allah, who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ delivered a sermon; he praised Allah and extolled Him as He deserves, then said:

‘To proceed: the truest speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad, the worst of matters are those newly introduced, and every innovation is misguidance.’

He would then raise his voice, his cheeks would redden, and his anger would intensify whenever he mentioned the Hour, as though he were warning of an approaching army. He then said:

‘The Hour has come upon you! I and the Hour have been sent like this,’ and he pointed with his index and middle fingers, ‘morning has overtaken you and evening as well. Whoever leaves wealth, it is for his heirs; whoever leaves a debt or helpless dependants, then it is upon me and I am responsible for them.’

The term al-ḍayāʿ refers to one’s needy children. Muslim, al-Nasāʾī, and Ibn Mājah have also reported this through various routes from Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad, and Muslim’s version states: ‘I and the Hour have been sent like these two.’ ⦗4⦘

Narration of Sahl ibn Saʿd (may Allah be pleased with him)

Muslim said: “Saʿīd ibn Manṣūr narrated to us.” He added: “Qutaybah ibn Saʿīd also narrated to us—and the wording is his—‘Yaʿqūb narrated to us…’”