Among the indicators that strength will one day return to the Muslims and that they will again cultivate the earth in a manner that helps them attain their goal—signs which also herald a brilliant future for them even in economic and agricultural terms—is his ﷺ saying:

6 – "The Hour will not be established until the land of the Arabs once more becomes meadows and rivers."

It was transmitted by Muslim (3/84), by Ahmad (2/703, 417), and by al-Hakim (4/477) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah.

The first glimmers of this ḥadith’s fulfillment have already begun to appear in parts of the Arabian Peninsula, as Allah has poured down upon it blessings and bounties: pumps now draw copious water from the depths of the desert, and there is even a proposal—reported in some local newspapers—to divert the Euphrates River into the peninsula. Perhaps it will come to pass; tomorrow is not far for the one who waits.

On this occasion it should also be remembered that the Prophet ﷺ said:

"No era will come upon you but that the one after it will be worse than it, until you meet your Lord."

Al-Bukhari narrated this in the Book of Tribulations, on the authority of Anas, as a marfūʿ report.

This ḥadith must be understood in light of the earlier narrations and others—such as the reports concerning the Mahdi and the descent of Jesus, peace be upon him—for they show that the statement is not absolute. Rather, it is an example of the ʿāmm makhṣūṣ (a general text qualified by other evidence). Therefore, it is impermissible to present it to people as unrestricted, driving them to despair—something a believer should never experience. As the Quran says, “Truly, none despairs of Allah’s relief except the disbelieving people” (12:87). I ask Allah to make us true believers in Him.