Question
Kindly provide the authenticity of the following narration:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has mentioned:
“A group of people shall appear towards the end of time – [referring to one of the individuals present, Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – said:] it’s as if this [person] is amongst them – they will read the Quran, [but] it will not pass their throats. They will leave Islam [i.e., renounce the true faith] just as an arrow pierces through the game animal. Their [i.e., these people’s] identifying characteristic will be the shaving [of their heads]. They will continue to appear until the last of them [finally] arrives with the Dajjal…”
Answer
This is part of a longer narration which Imams Nasai, Ahmad, and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Al-Mujtaba, Hadith: 4103; Also see: Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 30824, and Musnad Ahmad, vol. 4, pg. 421)
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration and has graded it as authentic.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2, pg. 146-147)
‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has graded all the narrators [in the chain of Musnad Ahmad] as credible.
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 6, pg. 229; Also see the footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah -hafizahullah- on Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 30824)
Disclaimer: In principle, the signs of Qiyamah are ambiguous and nuanced and only Allah Ta’ala Knows their precise timing and exact application. One should certainly take heed from such Hadiths and signs, despite their application to specific events being open to interpretation.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar