The prophecy that we have just referred to does not stand alone. There are other indications in the Qur’an that when the time indicated in this prophecy draws to a close the world would be ranged in two powerful groups opposing each other.

Soon shall We attend to you, O ye two big groups! (Ch.55: V.32)

The Holy Prophet^(sa) gave warning against the trial and tribulations of our present age and when asked what would be the remedy against them, said:

Keep constantly in mind the opening and the concluding verses of Surah Kahf (Chapter 18 of the Qur’an) and ponder over the guidance therein contained.

The opening verses of Chapter 18 read as follows:

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah Who has sent down the Book to His servant and has not put therein any crookedness. He has made it a guardian, that it may give warning of a grievous chastisement from Him, and that it may the believers who do good deeds the glad tidings that they shall have a good reward, Wherein they shall abide forever. And that it may warn those who say ‘Allah has taken unto Himself a son..’ No Knowledge have they thereof, nor had their fathers. They speak naught but a lie. So haply thou wilt grieve thyself to death for sorrow after them if they believe not in this discourse. Verily, We have made all that is on the earth as an ornament, for it, that we may try them as to which of them is best in conduct. And We shall make all that is thereon a barren soil. (Ch. 18: Vs. l-9)

The concluding part of Chapter 18 reads as follows:

On that day We shall leave some of them surge against others, and the trumpet will be blown. Then shall we gather them all together. And on that day we shall present Hell, face to face, to the disbelievers-whose eyes were under a veil so as not to heed My warning, and they could not even hear. Do the disbelievers think that they can take My servants as protectors instead of Me? Surely, We have prepared hell as an entertainment for the disbelievers. Say, ‘Shall We tell you of those who are the greatest losers in respect of their works? – Those whose labour is all lost in search after things pertaining to the life of this world, and they think that they are doing good works. Those are they who disbelieve in the Signs of their Lord and in the meeting with Him. So their works are vain, and on the Day of Resurrection We shall give them no weight. That is their reward – Hell; because they disbelieved, and made a jest of My signs and My Messengers… Say, ‘I am only a man like yourselves; but I have received the revelation that your God is only One God.. So let him who hopes to meet his Lord do good deeds, and let him join no one in the worship of his Lord. (Ch. 18: Vs.100-107, and V.111)

The opening and concluding parts of this chapter warn against a severe chastisement which would take the form of peoples surging against each other, in consequence of which veritable hell would be let loose, and the earth would be converted into barren waste. The spiritual cause of this conflict, of this chastisement, is described as ‘ascribing a son to God’ and ‘taking God’s servants as protectors, instead of Him.’

The remedy is indicated in the very last verse of the Chapter 18:

Your God is only One God. So let him who hopes to meet his Lord act righteously, and let him join no one in the worship of his Lord.