In numerous narrations, the Infallible Imams have described the characteristics and signs of the people of the End Times. Some of these narrations condemn certain behaviors, while others praise groups of believers who remain steadfast in faith.
The Meaning of the End Times
The term End Times has been used in two general senses:
First, it refers to the period that began with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and continues until the onset of the Day of Resurrection. For this reason, the Prophet is described as the Prophet of the End Times.
Second, it refers to the era that began with the birth of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his noble reappearance), encompassing the events of the period of occultation and the era of his reappearance, and concluding with the Day of Resurrection.
Condemnation of the People of the End Times
Numerous narrations criticize a group among the people of the End Times; naturally, these are those who neither follow nor act upon the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), describing their conduct, states:
“A time will come when tale-bearers will be held in high regard, evildoers will be described as clever, and just people will be considered weak. Charity in the path of God will be viewed as a loss, maintaining family ties will be done with reproach, and worship of God will be used as a means of boasting before people. At such a time, governance will be conducted through the counsel of women, the leadership of children, and the planning of the incapable.”
The Image of Women in the End Times
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) warned of the condition of women in the End Times and the dangers arising from moral deviation.
Asbagh ibn Nubata reports that he heard Imam Ali (peace be upon him) say:
“In the End Times, which are the worst of times and when the Day of Resurrection draws near, women will appear without modesty, displaying their adornment in public. They will abandon religious commitment, enter into sources of temptation, incline toward lust and pleasure, and declare the unlawful of God to be lawful. Such women shall abide in Hellfire.”
The Deformation of Scholars
In the End Times, conditions will be overturned, and some scholars will act contrary to their true responsibility.
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“The jurists of the End Times will issue rulings according to their desires, judges will pass judgments on matters they do not understand, and many will bear false witness. Wealthy individuals will be honored, while the poor will be humiliated and despised.”
The Emergence of the Dajjal
The emergence of the Dajjal is among the major signs heralding the approach of the Great Resurrection and will coincide with the era of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his noble reappearance).
Nazzal ibn Samrah narrates that Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) delivered a sermon and said:
“Remember well what I say: the Dajjal will emerge when people abandon prayer, betray trusts, consider lying permissible, engage in usury, accept bribes, construct imposing buildings, sell their religion for worldly gain, appoint the foolish to positions of authority, consult women in matters beyond their responsibility, sever family ties, follow desires, and regard the shedding of blood as trivial. Forbearance will be seen as weakness, and oppression will be considered a source of pride.”
The Spread of Corruption
Before the appearance of the Savior, the dominant atmosphere of the world will be one of injustice, sin, and corruption. Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“A time will come upon people when their sole concern will be their stomachs, their honor will lie in their possessions, their direction of worship will be their women, and their religion will be their money. They are the worst of people and will have no share with God.”
In another narration, he said:
“A time will come when knowledge will not be followed, patience will not be respected, elders will not be honored, the young will not be shown mercy, and people will kill one another without justification.”
The Pervasiveness of Oppression
Asim ibn Damrah narrates from Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him):
“The earth will be filled with injustice and oppression to the extent that no one will utter the name of God openly except in secret. Then God will bring forth righteous people who will fill the earth with justice and equity as it had previously been filled with oppression.”
The Proliferation of Liars
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“Before the rise of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his noble reappearance) , there will be years filled with deception, in which the truthful will be called liars and liars will be regarded as truthful. The deceitful will gain prominence, and the insignificant will speak on public affairs.”
Praise of the People of the End Times
The hardships faced by true believers in the End Times serve as a divine test to distinguish the sincere from the insincere.
Regarding those steadfast believers, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“During the period of occultation, none will remain firm upon the religion except sincere individuals endowed with certainty, whose hearts God has inscribed with faith and supported through divine guidance.”
And in another narration, he stated:
“Know that whoever remains steadfast in faith during that time and whose heart does not harden due to the prolonged absence of his Imam will be with me in my rank on the Day of Resurrection.”
