Among the portents of the Hour is that knowledge will be taken away, ignorance will prevail, adultery will spread, drinking alcohol will be common, and men will decrease in number while women will increase so much that for fifty women there will only be one man to look after them

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that among the portents of the Hour approaching is that Shar‘i knowledge will be taken away through the death of scholars. As a result, ignorance will increase and spread, adultery and immorality will be common, drinking alcohol will prevail, and men will decrease in number while women will increase so much that for fifty women there will be one man to take care of their affairs and interests.

Lessons

• The Hadīth demonstrates some portents of the Hour.
• Knowledge of the time of the Hour is one of the unseen things Allah Almighty kept to Himself.
• We are urged to learn Shar‘i knowledge before it is lost.