Much killing (al-harj)
Appeared
In brief
Al-harj is an Arabic word meaning a great deal of killing. The Prophet ﷺ said it will increase before the Hour. When the Companions asked what al-harj was, he answered simply: 'Killing, killing.'
Killing becomes so common that the killer does not know why he killed and the victim does not know why he was killed. Scholars point to the mass killings in the wars of history as examples of this. Whether there is 'more' killing today than in the past is a question for historians with data; this site does not give a verdict on it.
In times of fitnah the Prophet ﷺ advised: be like the better of Adam's two sons, the one who is killed rather than the one who kills.
Where it sits in the sequence
The narrations do not put these in order, and many of them overlap. Sahih al-Bukhari 7121 lists several together.
Strongest narrations
Read all in the archive →Tags are automatic and unreviewed.
حَدَّثَنَا الْمَكِّيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا حَنْظَلَةُ بْنُ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يُقْبَضُ الْعِلْمُ، وَيَظْهَرُ الْجَهْلُ وَالْفِتَنُ، وَيَكْثُرُ الْهَرْجُ ". قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْهَرْجُ فَقَالَ هَكَذَا بِيَدِهِ، فَحَرَّفَهَا، كَأَنَّهُ يُرِيدُ الْقَتْلَ.
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "(Religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious scholars) ignorance (in religion) and afflictions will appear; and Harj will increase." It was asked, "What is Harj, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" He replied by beckoning with his hand indicating "killing." (Fath-al-Bari Page 192, Vol)
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقْبَضَ الْعِلْمُ، وَتَكْثُرَ الزَّلاَزِلُ، وَيَتَقَارَبَ الزَّمَانُ، وَتَظْهَرَ الْفِتَنُ، وَيَكْثُرَ الْهَرْجُ ـ وَهْوَ الْقَتْلُ الْقَتْلُ ـ حَتَّى يَكْثُرَ فِيكُمُ الْمَالُ فَيَفِيضُ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until (religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious learned men), earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money will overflow amongst you." (See Hadith No. 85 Vol)
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَتَقَارَبُ الزَّمَانُ وَيَنْقُصُ الْعَمَلُ، وَيُلْقَى الشُّحُّ وَيَكْثُرُ الْهَرْجُ ". قَالُوا وَمَا الْهَرْجُ قَالَ " الْقَتْلُ، الْقَتْلُ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Time will pass rapidly, good deeds will decrease, and miserliness will be thrown (in the hearts of the people), and the Harj (will increase)." They asked, "What is the Harj?" He replied, "(It is) killing (murdering), (it is) murdering (killing)
حَدَّثَنَا عَيَّاشُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَتَقَارَبُ الزَّمَانُ، وَيَنْقُصُ الْعَمَلُ، وَيُلْقَى الشُّحُّ، وَتَظْهَرُ الْفِتَنُ، وَيَكْثُرُ الْهَرْجُ ". قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّمَ هُوَ. قَالَ " الْقَتْلُ الْقَتْلُ ". وَقَالَ شُعَيْبٌ وَيُونُسُ وَاللَّيْثُ وَابْنُ أَخِي الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Time will pass rapidly, good deeds will decrease, miserliness will be thrown (in the hearts of the people) afflictions will appear and there will be much 'Al-Harj." They said, "O Allah's Apostle! What is "Al-Harj?" He said, "Killing! Killing!" (See Hadith No. 63, Vol)
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَبِي مُوسَى فَقَالاَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ السَّاعَةِ لأَيَّامًا يَنْزِلُ فِيهَا الْجَهْلُ، وَيُرْفَعُ فِيهَا الْعِلْمُ، وَيَكْثُرُ فِيهَا الْهَرْجُ، وَالْهَرْجُ الْقَتْلُ ".
Narrated `Abdullah and Abu Musa:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which Religious ignorance will spread, knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and there will be much Al-Harj, and Al- Harj means killing
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَبِي مُوسَى فَقَالاَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ السَّاعَةِ لأَيَّامًا يَنْزِلُ فِيهَا الْجَهْلُ، وَيُرْفَعُ فِيهَا الْعِلْمُ، وَيَكْثُرُ فِيهَا الْهَرْجُ، وَالْهَرْجُ الْقَتْلُ ".
Narrated `Abdullah and Abu Musa:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which Religious ignorance will spread, knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and there will be much Al-Harj, and Al- Harj means killing
Weak and ungraded reports on this sign
57
Shown for study, not as established. Includes Kitab al-Fitan of Nu'aym ibn Hammad, which is ungraded and weak overall.
Weak report. Shown for study, not as established.
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا شِهَابُ بْنُ خِرَاشٍ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ غَزْوَانَ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ الْجَزَرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ وَابِصَةَ الأَسَدِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، وَابِصَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ فَذَكَرَ بَعْضَ حَدِيثِ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ قَالَ " قَتْلاَهَا كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ " . قَالَ فِيهِ قُلْتُ مَتَى ذَلِكَ يَا ابْنَ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ تِلْكَ أَيَّامُ الْهَرْجِ حَيْثُ لاَ يَأْمَنُ الرَّجُلُ جَلِيسَهُ . قُلْتُ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي إِنْ أَدْرَكَنِي ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانُ قَالَ تَكُفُّ لِسَانَكَ وَيَدَكَ وَتَكُونُ حِلْسًا مِنْ أَحْلاَسِ بَيْتِكَ . فَلَمَّا قُتِلَ عُثْمَانُ طَارَ قَلْبِي مَطَارَهُ فَرَكِبْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ دِمَشْقَ فَلَقِيتُ خُرَيْمَ بْنَ فَاتِكٍ فَحَدَّثْتُهُ فَحَلَفَ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ لَسَمِعَهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَمَا حَدَّثَنِيهِ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud ; Khuraym ibn Fatik: The tradition mentioned above (No. 4243) has also been transmitted by Ibn Mas'ud through a different chain of narrators. Ibn Mas'ud said: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: He then mentioned a portion of the tradition narrated by AbuBakrah (No. 4243). This version adds: He (the Prophet) said: All their slain will go to Hell. I (Wabisah) asked: When will this happen Ibn Mas'ud? He replied: This is the period of turmoil (harj) when a man will not be safe from his associates. I asked: What do you command me (to do) if I happen to live during that period? He replied: You should restrain your tongue and hand and stay at home. When Uthman was slain, I recollected this tradition. I then rode (on a camel) and came to Damascus. There I met Khuraym ibn Fatik and mentioned this tradition to him. He swore by Allah, there was no god but He, he had heard it from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), as Ibn Mas'ud transmitted it to me (Wabisah)
Weak report. Shown for study, not as established.
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا نُوحُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَعْقِلٍ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ الرَّقَاشِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " أُمَّتِي عَلَى خَمْسِ طَبَقَاتٍ فَأَرْبَعُونَ سَنَةً أَهْلُ بِرٍّ وَتَقْوَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ إِلَى عِشْرِينَ وَمِائَةِ سَنَةٍ أَهْلُ تَرَاحُمٍ وَتَوَاصُلٍ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ إِلَى سِتِّينَ وَمِائَةِ سَنَةٍ أَهْلُ تَدَابُرٍ وَتَقَاطُعٍ ثُمَّ الْهَرْجُ الْهَرْجُ النَّجَا النَّجَا " . حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا خَازِمٌ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَنَزِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمِسْوَرُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي مَعْنٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " أُمَّتِي عَلَى خَمْسِ طَبَقَاتٍ كُلُّ طَبَقَةٍ أَرْبَعُونَ عَامًا فَأَمَّا طَبَقَتِي وَطَبَقَةُ أَصْحَابِي فَأَهْلُ عِلْمٍ وَإِيمَانٍ وَأَمَّا الطَّبَقَةُ الثَّانِيَةُ مَا بَيْنَ الأَرْبَعِينَ إِلَى الثَّمَانِينَ فَأَهْلُ بِرٍّ وَتَقْوَى " . ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُ .
It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:“My nation will pass through five stages. For forty years (they will be) people of righteousness and piety. Then those who follow them, for the next one hundred and twenty years, will be people who show mercy to one another and uphold ties with one another. Then those who follow them for the next one hundred and sixty years will be people who will turn their backs on one another and sever ties with one another. Then there will be Harj after Harj (killing). Seek deliverance, seek deliverance.”
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
حدثناه أبو بكر بن إسحاق الفقيه، أنبأ الحسن بن علي بن زياد، حدثني أبو سعيد عبد الرحمن بن أحمد المؤذن، ثنا أحمد بن زيد بن هارون القزاز، بمكة، قالا: ثنا إبراهيم بن المنذر الحزامي، حدثني إبراهيم بن مهاجر بن مسمار، عن عامر بن سعد بن أبي وقاص، عن أبيه، قال: وقف عمر بن الخطاب بالجابية، فقال: رحم الله رجلا سمع مقالتي فوعاها، إني رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقف فينا كمقامي فيكم ثم، قال: «احفظوني في أصحابي، ثم الذين يلونهم، ثم الذين يلونهم» ثلاثا «ثم يكثر الهرج، ويظهر الكذب، ويشهد الرجل ولا يستشهد، ويحلف ولا يستحلف، من أحب منكم بحبوحة الجنة فعليه بالجماعة، فإن الشيطان مع الواحد، وهو من الاثنين أبعد، ألا لا يخلون رجل بامرأة فإن الشيطان ثالثهما، من سرته حسنته وساءته سيئته فهو مؤمن» . " الحديث الثاني فيما احتج به العلماء أن الإجماع حجة حديث مختلف فيه عن المعتمر بن سليمان من سبعة أوجه: فالوجه الأول منها
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
أخبرنا أبو عبد الله محمد بن علي الصنعاني بمكة، ثنا إسحاق بن إبراهيم بن عباد، أنا عبد الرزاق، أنا معمر، عن إسحاق بن راشد، عن عمرو بن وابصة الأسدي، عن أبيه قال: إني بالكوفة في داري، إذ سمعت على باب الدار السلام عليكم أألج فقلت: وعليك السلام فالج، فلما دخل، فإذا هو عبد الله بن مسعود فقلت: يا أبا عبد الرحمن، أية ساعة زيارة هذه؟ - وذلك في نحر الظهيرة - قال: طال علي النهار، فتذكرت من أتحدث إليه، قال: فجعل يحدثني عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأحدثه، ثم أنشأ يحدثني، فقال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «تكون فتنة، النائم فيها خير من المضطجع، والمضطجع فيها خير من القاعد، والقاعد فيها خير من القائم، والقائم فيها خير من الماشي، والماشي خير من الراكب، قتلاها كلها في النار» قلت: يا رسول الله، ومتى ذلك؟ قال: «ذلك أيام الهرج» قلت: ومتى أيام الهرج؟ قال: «حين لا يأمن الرجل جليسه» قلت: فبم تأمرني إن أدركت ذلك الزمان،؟ قال: «اكفف نفسك ويدك، وادخل دارك» قلت: يا رسول الله، أرأيت إن دخل علي داري؟ قال: «فادخل بيتك» ، قلت: أرأيت إن دخل علي بيتي؟ قال: " فادخل مسجدك فاصنع هكذا أو قبض بيمينه على الكوع، وقل: ربي الله حتى تموت على ذلك "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Bible · New Testament
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
Matthew 24:1-44 (cf. Mark 13, Luke 21)
The Olivet Discourse: Signs of the End of the Age and the Temple's Destruction
Sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Jesus is asked by his disciples: 'What will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?' He details the birth pangs of the end: false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. He warns of severe persecution, love growing cold, and the gospel being preached in all the world. He points to Daniel's 'abomination of desolation' standing in the holy place, followed by unprecedented tribulation, celestial collapse, and the Son of Man descending with power and great glory on the clouds of heaven with a great trumpet sound.
μελλήσετε δὲ ἀκούειν πολέμους καὶ ἀκοὰς πολέμων· ὁρᾶτε μὴ θροεῖσθε· δεῖ γὰρ γενέσθαι, ἀλλ’ οὔπω ἐστὶν τὸ τέλος. ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπὶ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν, καὶ ἔσονται λιμοὶ καὶ σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους·
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren't troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places.
Ὅταν οὖν ἴδητε τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Δανιὴλ τοῦ προφήτου ἑστὸς ἐν τόπῳ ἁγίῳ, ὁ ἀναγινώσκων νοείτω,
When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)...
καὶ τότε φανήσεται τὸ σημεῖον τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν οὐρανῷ... καὶ ὄψονται τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ μετὰ δυνάμεως καὶ δόξης πολλῆς·
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven... and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Revelation 9:13-21
The Sixth Trumpet: The Four Angels Bound at the River Euphrates Released
The sixth angel blows his trumpet, and a voice from the golden altar commands: 'Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!' These four angels, prepared for the specific hour, day, month, and year, are unleashed to slaughter one third of mankind with an apocalyptic cavalry of 200 million horsemen with breastplates of fire, smoke, and sulfur.
λέγοντα τῷ ἕκτῳ ἀγγέλῳ, ὁ ἔχων τὴν σάλπιγγα· Λῦσον τοὺς τέσσαρας ἀγγέλους τοὺς δεδεμένους ἐπὶ τῷ ποταμῷ τῷ μεγάλῳ Εὐφράτῃ. καὶ ἐλύθησαν οἱ τέσσαρες ἄγγελοι οἱ ἡτοιμασμένοι εἰς τὴν ὥραν καὶ ἡμέραν καὶ μῆνα καὶ ἐνιαυτόν, ἵνα ἀποκτείνωσιν τὸ τρίτον τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, 'Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!' So the four angels were released, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they might kill one third of mankind.
Revelation 6:1-17
The Opening of the Six Seals: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the Cosmic Earthquake
The Lamb opens the first six seals of the cosmic scroll. Four horsemen gallop forth: a White Horse (conquest), a Red Horse (taking peace from the earth so men slay one another, universal slaughter), a Black Horse holding a pair of scales (famine where grain is weighed at exorbitant prices), and a Pale Horse named Death and Hades, given power over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts. The sixth seal produces a colossal earthquake: the sun turns black as sackcloth of hair, the full moon becomes like blood, the stars fall to earth like ripe figs, and kings and generals hide in caves, crying: 'Fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb!'
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἄλλος ἵππος πυρρός, καὶ τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπ’ αὐτὸν ἐδόθη αὐτῷ λαβεῖν τὴν εἰρήνην ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἵνα ἀλλήλους σφάξουσιν, καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ μάχαιρα μεγάλη.
Another horse came out, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword.
καὶ σεισμὸς μέγας ἐγένετο, καὶ ὁ ἥλιος ἐγένετο μέλας ὡς σάκκος τρίχινος, καὶ ἡ σελήνη ὅλη ἐγένετο ὡς αἷμα, καὶ οἱ ἀστέρες τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἔπεσαν εἰς τὴν γῆν... καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπεχωρίσθη ὡς βιβλίον ἑλισσόμενον,
There was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became like blood. The stars of the sky fell to the earth... The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up.
Comparative Traditions
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
The Twelve Parts of the End-Time Tribulation and the Revelation of the Anointed One
Baruch asks God when the end will come, and is shown the division of the last tribulation into twelve epochs: commencement of commotions, slaughter of great ones, death of multitudes, the sending of the sword, famine and withholding of rain, earthquakes and terrors, falling of fire, rapine and oppression, wickedness and unchastity, confusion and mingling of all things, and devastating storms. When these reach their climax, the Anointed One (Messiah) will be revealed, the earth will yield fruit ten-thousandfold, and wild beasts will become peaceful.
ܘܗܟܢܐ ܢܗܘܘܢ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܫܒܛܐ ܗܢܘܢ: ܒܩܕܡܝܐ ܫܘܪܝܐ ܕܕܠܘܚܝܐ... ܒܚܡܝܫܝܐ ܟܦܢܐ ܘܡܬܬܟܠܝܢܘܬܐ ܕܡܛܪܐ... ܒܫܒܝܥܝܐ ܢܦܠܬܐ ܕܢܘܪܐ... ܘܡܐ ܕܫܠܡܘ ܟܠܗܘܢ ܗܠܝܢ: ܢܬܓܠܐ ܡܫܝܚܐ.
And in this manner will the periods of that time be: In the first, the beginning of commotions... in the fifth, famine and the withholding of rain... in the seventh, the falling of fire... and when all these are accomplished, the Anointed One will be revealed.
The Prophecy of the Seeress: The Age of Axes and Wolves, Fimbulwinter, the Black Sun, and the Renewed Earth
The Völuspá is the supreme masterpiece of Old Norse mythic eschatology. The Seeress (Völva) prophesies the moral degeneration of the cosmos before Ragnarök: 'Brothers will fight and kill each other, sisters' children will defile kinship; an axe-age, a sword-age, shields are splintered, a wind-age, a wolf-age, before the world falls.' The Great Winter (Fimbulwinter) descends, the cosmic wolf Fenrir breaks free and swallows the sun, the Midgard serpent churns the sea, the stars vanish, and fire engulfs the tree of life (Yggdrasil). Yet after the cosmic conflagration, a new green earth emerges from the sea, where crops grow without sowing and the righteous dwell in eternal peace.
Brœðr muno beriaz ok at bǫnom verða[z], muno systrungar sifiom spilla... Sól tér sortna, sígr fold í mar, hverfa af himni heiðar stiǫrnur; geisar eimi við aldrnara, leikr hár hiti við himin siálfan.
Brothers will fight and become each other's slayers, sisters' sons will violate kinship... The sun turns black, earth sinks into the sea, the bright stars vanish from the sky; fire rages against the firmament, high heat plays against heaven itself.
The Seven-Day Sword Interval (Satthantarakappa) and the Advent of Maitreya Buddha
The Buddha details the step-by-step collapse of moral standards over generations: through neglect of the destitute, theft, violence, and falsehood flourish until human lifespan dwindles from 80,000 years to merely 10 years. In that final nadir, humanity enters a seven-day 'Sword Interval' (Satthantarakappa) where humans view one another as wild prey (miga-sañña), seizing makeshift weapons to slaughter each other in uncontrollable bloodlust. A handful of wise people take refuge in mountain caves and thickets. When the slaughter subsides, they emerge, embrace one another with tears, and resolve to practice virtue, reversing the decline. Eventually, when righteousness and lifespan return to 80,000 years, the fully enlightened Buddha Maitreya (Metteyya) will appear to teach the pure Dhamma in an era of boundless joy.
Tesaṃ manussānaṃ dasavassāyukānaṃ samānaṃ sattāhaṃ satthantarakappo bhavissati. Te aññamaññaṃ migasaññaṃ paṭilabhissanti. Tesaṃ tiṇhāni satthāni hatthesu pātubhavissanti...
Among the humans whose lifespan is ten years, there will be a seven-day sword-interval. They will perceive one another as wild game. Sharp swords will appear in their hands, and they will slaughter each other crying: 'There is a wild beast!'...
Asīti-vassasahassāyukesu manussesu metteyyo nāma bhagavā loke uppajjissati arahaṃ sammāsambuddho...
When human lifespan reaches eighty thousand years, the Blessed One named Metteyya (Maitreya) will arise in the world, an Arahant, fully enlightened...
What scholars have said
Scholars cite it as having appeared
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalanid. 852 AH (773-852 AH)
Lists much killing (al-harj) among the signs that had happened as the Prophet ﷺ said.
Fath al-Bari, on Sahih al-Bukhari 7121 (Kitab al-Fitan)
Imam Ibn Battal (quoted by Ibn Hajar)d. 449 AH (~390-449 AH)
Said: we have seen every sign in this narration with our own eyes; knowledge has decreased, ignorance has appeared, miserliness was cast into hearts, trials spread and killing became much. Ibn Hajar adds that Ibn Battal saw the beginning; the narration means the state in which they prevail completely.
Fath al-Bari, on Sahih al-Bukhari 7061
Present-day data
These numbers show the world today beside the narration. They do not decide whether the sign has appeared; that is shown only through named scholars, in the Scholars' views tab.
In the narration the Companions asked what al-harj is, and the Prophet ﷺ answered: killing, killing (Sahih al-Bukhari 7061). Two counts measure killing today: deaths in armed conflicts (UCDP, from 1989) and murders (UNODC). Both rise and fall; neither moves in one direction.
Narrations behind this panel: Sahih al-Bukhari 7061 · Sahih al-Bukhari 85 · Sahih al-Bukhari 7121
Show the numbers
| Year | Deaths |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 67,945 |
| 1990 | 95,405 |
| 1991 | 83,961 |
| 1992 | 75,571 |
| 1993 | 73,785 |
| 1994 | 823,507 |
| 1995 | 62,309 |
| 1996 | 87,390 |
| 1997 | 65,899 |
| 1998 | 61,094 |
| 1999 | 102,150 |
| 2000 | 94,616 |
| 2001 | 37,676 |
| 2002 | 41,396 |
| 2003 | 40,381 |
| 2004 | 36,163 |
| 2005 | 20,445 |
| 2006 | 27,836 |
| 2007 | 28,603 |
| 2008 | 39,544 |
| 2009 | 51,554 |
| 2010 | 34,206 |
| 2011 | 41,925 |
| 2012 | 90,692 |
| 2013 | 114,777 |
| 2014 | 150,883 |
| 2015 | 131,171 |
| 2016 | 115,819 |
| 2017 | 112,537 |
| 2018 | 88,225 |
| 2019 | 77,244 |
| 2020 | 102,763 |
| 2021 | 233,754 |
| 2022 | 316,895 |
| 2023 | 169,400 |
| 2024 | 187,023 |
| 2025 | 244,579 |
Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), processed by Our World in Data · retrieved 2026-10-27
Show the numbers
| Year | Homicide rate |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6.9 |
| 2001 | 6.9 |
| 2002 | 6.9 |
| 2003 | 6.7 |
| 2004 | 6.5 |
| 2005 | 6.3 |
| 2006 | 6.2 |
| 2007 | 6.0 |
| 2008 | 6.0 |
| 2009 | 6.1 |
| 2010 | 6.1 |
| 2011 | 6.2 |
| 2012 | 6.2 |
| 2013 | 6.1 |
| 2014 | 6.1 |
| 2015 | 5.9 |
| 2016 | 6.0 |
| 2017 | 5.9 |
| 2018 | 5.7 |
| 2019 | 5.4 |
| 2020 | 5.3 |
| 2021 | 5.5 |
| 2022 | 5.3 |
| 2023 | 5.2 |
Source: World Bank, Intentional homicides (per 100,000 people), UNODC (VC.IHR.PSRC.P5) · retrieved 2026-10-27
Read with care
- UCDP counts only deaths confirmed in reports, making its totals a conservative baseline, especially where reporting is suppressed. The global record began in 1989; earlier conflicts, notably the two World Wars, claimed vastly more lives.
Draft: figures and wording await a researcher's check and the scholar board.