Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/282

 and when they come to Syria he will come out. And whilst they are preparing for battle and dressing their ranks, when prayers begin, Jesus, Son of Mary, will descend and act as leader. And when the enemy of God sees him, he will melt away as salt melts in water. And if he leaves him alone, he would certainly melt away until he is destroyed. But God will kill him by the hand of Jesus; and he will show them his blood upon his lance." ' Muslim.

It is related from Dhu Mikhbar that he said, ' I heard the Apostle of God say, "You will make a peace of safety with Greece and you and they will wage war with your enemies behind you. And you will be given the victory and will plunder and will dwell in safety. Afterwards you will return until you descend to a pasturage on high land. Then a man of the Christians will raise a cross and will say, ' The cross gave us the victory.' Then a man of the Muslims will get angry and will beat him. And just then the Greeks will act treacherously and will gather together for battle." And some of them have added to this, " And the Muslims will rush to their weapons and fight. And God will honour that band of men with martyr- dom." ' Abu Ddud.

It is related from Abu Bakr that, ' The Apostle of God said, " A people of my followers will come down to low land called Busrah, near the river called the Tigris, over which there will be a bridge. Its inhabitants will be numerous. It will be one of the great cities of the Muslims. And when the end of time comes, the Bani Qantiira (namely the Turks) will come, broad- faced and small-eyed, until they come down to the bank of the river. And its inhabitants will be divided into three bands. One band will be employed with the tails of their cattle (i.e. in agriculture) .and in the desert, and they will be destroyed; and one band will be busy saving themselves and will be destroyed; and one band will place their children behind their backs and will fight and will become martyrs." ' Abu Ddud.

CONCERNING THE SIGNS OF THE HOUR OF RESURRECTION

It is related from Anas that he said, ' I heard the Apostle of God say, " Verily amongst the signs, of the hour is that knowledge will be taken away, and ignorance will be increased, and adultery will abound, and the drinking of wine will