BorealLooking Forward to ArmageddonMore Than You Would ExpectIn a survey conducted by Pew Research, Muslims were asked "about the imminence of two events that, according to Islamic tradition, will presage the Day of Judgment: the return of the Mahdi (the Guided One who will initiate the final period before the day of resurrection and judgment) and the return of Jesus." Jesus, after defeating Ad-Dajjal, the false Messiah, in the final battle of the End-Times will, among other things, kill all the pigs, stop the worship of the cross and rule according to the Koran. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts)." Bukhari 43.656 Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said "How will you be when the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you and he will judge people by the Law of the Quran and not by the law of Gospel." Bukhari 55.658 In nine of the 23 nations where the question was asked, half or more of Muslim adults say they believe the return of the Mahdi will occur in their lifetime, including at least two-thirds who express this view in Afghanistan (83%), Iraq (72%), Turkey (68%) and Tunisia (67%)." From the outset, beginning with the Prophet himself, people have believed that Armageddon i.e. the Hour in the following hadith, will occur within their lifetime or shortly thereafter. Narrated Anas: A bedouin came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle! When will The Hour be established?" The Prophet said, "Wailaka (Woe to you), What have you prepared for it?" The bedouin said, "I have not prepared anything for it, except that I love Allah and His Apostle." The Prophet said, "You will be with those whom you love." We (the companions of the Prophet) said, "And will we too be so? The Prophet said, "Yes." So we became very glad on that day. In the meantime, a slave of Al-Mughira passed by, and he was of the same age as I was. The Prophet said. "If this (slave) should live long, he will not reach the geriatric old age, but the Hour will be established." Bukhari 73.188 Muslims who believe that Armageddon will occur during their lifetime have shown themselves particular receptive, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, to Islamic State's claim that it is "the sole Muslim voice and, as such, the West’s inevitable enemy in the approaching end-of-days clash" Bernard Payeur, Sept 20, 2014
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