A--- The time set for-the Last Hour is one of the unseen affairs that no one save Allah the Almighty knows. He says: {Verily Allah, with Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die.

Verily Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of things)}. (Luqman, 34)

Allah the Almighty says: {They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): "When will be its appointed time?" Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He. Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden.” They ask you as if you have a good knowledge of it. Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone), but most of mankind know not. "} (22) (Al-A' raf, 187)

Allah the Almighty says: {They ask you (0 Muhammad (Peace be upon him» about the Hour when will be its appointed time? You have no knowledge to say anything about it. To your Lord belongs (the knowledge of) the term thereof?}. (An-Nazi' at, 42-44)

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said to Gabriel when asked about the Hour: "Then he (Gabriel) further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Messenger replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.

(a) When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master. (b) When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah." (Bukhari and Muslim)

(22) Narrated Ibn`Vmar (May Allah be pleased with them): The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

"The keys of the unseen are five and none knows them but Allah: (1) None knows what is in the womb, but Allah: (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; (4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); (5) and none knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah." (Sahih A1-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Hadith No. 479)

(Translator)