In recent days, a post went highly viral on social media. It claimed that “the Eastern Sea will be shut down and no ship will be able to sail in it” and that this is a “sign of the emergence of Imam Mahdi.” A map of the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea was also attached to it.
Such viral posts create anxiety and curiosity among the public. So let us investigate this tradition to see whether this post is merely a claim or a religious reality.
1. The Text and Source of the Tradition:
The viral post presented this tradition:
“From Ka’b, he said: It is likely that the Eastern Sea will be blocked so that no ship sails in it, and so that the people of one village will not be able to reach another village. And that will be at the time of Al-Malahim (great wars) and that will be at the time of the emergence of Mahdi.” (Kitab Al-Sunan Al-Waridah fi Al-Fitan by Al-Dani: 494)
Translation: “Ka’b Al-Ahbar (RA) says: It is near that the Eastern Sea will be blocked until no ship sails in it, and until the people of one village cannot go to another village. And this will be at the time of Al-Malahim, and this will be at the time of the emergence of Mahdi.”
2. Scholarly Investigation/Fact check:
This is not a “Hadith” but an “Athar”. According to the scholars of Hadith, the term “Athar” is used for the statements of the Companions and Tabi’in. Some scholars of Hadith also use it in the meaning of Hadith. Here, since this is not the statement of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but the statement of Ka’b Al-Ahbar (RA), it is not correct to call it a Prophetic Hadith.
Ka’b Al-Ahbar was a famous Yemeni scholar who had knowledge of the books of Bani Israel and accepted Islam during the time of Umar (RA). Scholars of Hadith count him among the Tabi’in because he did not live in the time of the Prophet (PBUH) and narrated from the Companions (RA).
3. The Issue of Israeliyat and Fitnah:
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Narrate from Bani Israel and there is no harm” (Sahih Al-Bukhari). Meaning, narrate the incidents of Bani Israel, there is no harm. But he also said: “Do not believe the People of the Book, nor deny them” (Sahih Al-Bukhari). Meaning, neither believe nor reject the statements of the People of the Book.
Many statements attributed to Ka’b Al-Ahbar are of this same category. Making them part of the religion is dangerous.
4. Can it be linked to current events?
Today there is tension in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. But fitting any unseen news to current events is prohibited in Shariah.
The signs of the Hour are only those that come in authentic Hadith. Such as: “The Hour will not be established until Al-Harj becomes abundant” (Sahih Al-Bukhari). The Hour will not come until killing becomes widespread.
Saying “the emergence of Mahdi is near” on the basis of a statement of a Tabi’i is to create Fitnah in the Ummah.
5. What should be the course of action for a believer?
1. Investigation: Before sharing any religious matter, ask a scholar. “Fas’alu Ahl adh-Dhikr”
Translation: So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know. (Surah An-Nahl: 43)
2. Tawakkul (Trust in Allah): Sustenance and circumstances are in the hands of Allah. “Wa man yatawakkal ‘alallahi fahuwa hasbuh”
Translation: And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. (Surah At-Talaq: 3)
In conclusion: The tradition presented in the viral post is not a Hadith proven from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but rather an Athar narrated from Ka’b Al-Ahbar, and scholars have discussed its chain of narration. Therefore, it is not correct to base any belief, prediction, or definitive interpretation of current political events on it.
References:
1. Kitab Al-Sunan Al-Waridah fi Al-Fitan by Abu Amr Al-Dani, Edited by: Ziauddin Ray, Dar Al-Asimah, Riyadh, 1416 AH, Vol 1, p. 494. (Tradition No: 494. “From Ka’b Al-Ahbar, he said…”)
2. Sahih Al-Bukhari: Book of Knowledge, Chapter on What was mentioned about Bani Israel, Hadith: 3461. (“Narrate from Bani Israel and there is no harm”)
3. Sahih Al-Bukhari: Book of Holding Fast to the Qur’an and Sunnah, Chapter on The statement of the Prophet: Do not ask the People of the Book, Hadith: 7362. (“Do not believe the People of the Book, nor deny them”)
4. Sahih Al-Bukhari: Book of Tribulations, Chapter on The statement of the Prophet (The Hour will not be established until Al-Harj becomes abundant), Hadith: 7063.
5. The Holy Quran: Surah An-Nahl, Verse: 43. (“Fas’alu Ahl adh-Dhikri in kuntum la ta’lamun”)
6. The Holy Quran: Surah At-Talaq, Verse: 3. (“Wa man yatawakkal ‘alallahi fahuwa hasbuh”)