The knowledge is with God, an interpretation is this: it is an indication that of the prison and high school which are situated opposite the government offices and are facing each other, one will become an ugly imitation of a huri and youth of Paradise, and the other become a dungeon and torture-chamber.

Fourth Matter

FOURTH MATTER

There is a narration which says: “At the end of time no one will remain who will say: Allah! Allah!” [^15]

[^15]:Muslim, Īmān, 234; Tirmidhī, Fitan, 35; Musnad, iii, 107, 201, 259.

None knows the Unseen save God, an interpretation of this must be as follows: the sufi meeting-places, the places where God’s Name is recited, and the religious schools (medrese) will be closed, and a name other than ‘Allah’ will used in the marks of Islam, such as the call to prayer and iqāma. It does not mean that all mankind is going to fall into absolute disbelief, for denial of God is as irrational as denying the universe. It is not reasonable to suppose it should be thus even with the majority of people, let alone all of them. The unbelievers do not deny God, they are in error only concerning His attributes.

Another interpretation is this: so that they do not experience its terror, the spirits of the believers will be seized a little previously to the end of the world. Doomsday will erupt over the heads of the unbelievers.

Fifth Matter

FIFTH MATTER

There is a narration: “At the end of time, certain persons such as the Antichrist (Dajjal) will claim godhead and force others to prostrate before them.” [^16]

[^16]:al-Ḥākim, al-Mustadrak, iv, 508; Ibn Kathīr, Nihāyat al-Bidāya wa’l-Nihāya, i, 125-6; Musnad, iv, 20; v, 372.

God knows best, an interpretation is this: just as a nomad chieftain who denies the king imagines in himself and in other chieftains a small rulership proportionate to their power; so those who come to lead the school of Naturalists and Materialists, imagine in themselves a sort of lordship proportionate to their power, and to demonstrate their power, make their subjects bow down worshipfully before themselves and their statues, and incline their heads.