A surprising problem is brewing with our clocks, and it’s all linked to how fast the Earth is spinning.
According to a recent article by Agnew (2024), global warming has caused a significant delay in addressing a global timekeeping issue. Our planet is spinning a bit faster than it did before.
This might mean that in a few years, we’ll have to take away a second from our clocks. It’s called a “negative leap second,” and it’s never happened before. But if things keep going this way, we might see it around 2029.
This development, while intriguing from a scientific standpoint, has also sparked contemplation on a broader scale, particularly among those who perceive it through the lens of religious prophecy.
Anas ibn Malik (r) reported, the Messenger of Allah (s) said, “The Hour will not be established until time passes rapidly, such that a year is like a month, a month is like a week, a week is like a day, a day is like an hour, and an hour is like the flicker of a flame.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2332)
But that’s not the only strange thing happening. Last year, parts of the desert in Saudi Arabia suddenly turned green after lots of rain and floods. It’s so wild that even satellites in space can see the plants from up there! People are sharing pictures of this on social media, and some are saying it’s proof of a prophecy.
A hadith was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (r) that the Messenger of Allah (s) said: “The Hour will not begin until the land of the Arabs once again becomes meadows and rivers.” (Muslim 157)
Supporting these interpretations is corroborating evidence from geological studies, which suggest that the desert regions of Arabia were once characterised by flourishing grasslands and abundant freshwater resources.
Richard Clark-Wilson’s research, featured in THE CONVERSION, states that thousands of years ago, Arabia wasn’t always a desert. Sometimes, it was more like a grassy plain with lots of water. These changes happened over thousands of years, going from dry to green and back again.
With all these unusual things happening, it’s time to think about what we’re doing. The day of judgment is not far and its the best time to repent.
Allah states in verse 31 of surah Nūr: “Rally to Allah in repentance, O faithful, so that you may be felicitous.”
Repentance is not something that only sinners should do. Every believing man and woman must repent to Allah on a daily basis. In times of hardship and adversity, it’s natural for individuals to feel overwhelmed and disheartened.
However, amidst life’s challenges, the teachings of the Quran offer solace and guidance, reminding believers to maintain hope in Allah’s mercy.
Surah Az-Zumar (39:53) serves as a poignant reminder of this enduring truth. The verse states, “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
Let us remember that no matter how dark the night may seem, dawn always follows. And in the embrace of Allah’s boundless mercy, there is always hope.
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