Those nations, whose number none but Allah can reckon, will die in a single night, for the affair is entirely in Allah’s hand. From the very moment this naghf (the worm) enters their necks they expire instantly. Jesus son of Mary and the believers with him will then descend to the earth, only to find it covered with their corpses, putrid and foul-smelling. Jesus and his followers will implore Allah to rid them of this, so Allah will send birds with necks like those of Bactrian camels—huge, powerful birds that will seize each body and cast it into the sea. In other words, they are immense birds whose number only Allah knows. All of this occurs by Allah’s power, for when He wills a thing He merely says to it, “Be,” and it is. Do not be surprised; do not ask, “Where did these birds come from? How did they multiply?” Allah is capable of everything. These camel-necked birds will carry off every corpse and hurl it into the sea, leaving not a single one behind…
Yet, as you know, some filth, refuse, and stench must remain on the earth after so many bodies. Allah will therefore send a tremendous rain that will wash the whole earth, leaving no mud-brick dwelling or hair tent untouched. The entire land will fill with water until it becomes smooth and glistening, cleansed completely by Allah’s permission. Allah will then command the earth to bring forth its blessings and its produce. Enormous fruits will appear, and goodness and blessing will abound: one milk-she-camel will suffice an entire host of people; a single cow will suffice a whole tribe; and one ewe will suffice an entire clan. Though each is but one animal, Allah will place such blessing in it that it will feed multitudes. Prosperity and blessing will overflow, and all of this bears witness to Allah’s greatness and power: “Verily, with hardship comes ease; indeed, with hardship comes ease” (Q 94:5–6). After having been confined on the Mount, finding nothing at all, they will behold the earth sprouting with blessing and fruit—and much more besides—all by Allah’s command. Allah alone grants success.