Fifth sign:

We will mention several Prophetic Traditions that predict future events, as follows:

• The Prophet announced from the pulpit in the presence of his Companions: "My grandson Hasan is a noble one. Through him, God will reconcile two large hosts."[1] Forty years later, when the two largest Muslim armies faced each other, Hasan made peace with Mu'awiya and fulfilled this prediction.
• The Prophet told 'Ali: "You will fight the oath-breakers, the unjust, and the deviators."[2] In this way he predicted the battles of the Camel and Siffin, as well as those fought against the Kharijites.[3] Once when conversing with Zubayr in good, affectionate terms, the Prophet told 'Ali: "Zubayr will fight you, but he will be in the wrong."[4]
• He also told his wives: "One of you will lead a serious rebellion. Many around her will be killed, and the dogs of Haw'ab will bark at her."[5] These were proved by 'Ali's battles against 'A'isha, Talha, and Zubayr during the Battle of the Camel; against Mu'awiya at Siffin; and against the Kharijites at Haroura and Nahrawan.
• The Prophet told 'Ali that 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam al-Khariji, whom he knew, would stain Ali's beard with the blood of his own head.[6] In addition, he also mentioned a bodily mark possessed by the Kharijite Dhul-Thadya. When that man's corpse was found among the dead Kharijites, 'Ali showed it to others as a proof of the rightness of his cause, thus making the miracle public.[7]
• Umm Salama and others related that the Messenger prophesied Husayn's death at Taff (Karbala'),[8] a tragic event that occurred years later. He also repeatedly predicted, with some details, that his Family would be subjected to killing and exile after his death.[9] All that he predicted came true.

[1] Bukhari, Kitab al-Sulh, 3:244; Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 5:37.

[2] Hakim, Mustadrak, 3:139; Bayhaqi, Dala'il al-Nubuwwa, 6:414.

[3] The Kharijites held that those who commit a grave error or sin and do not repent sincerely are no longer Muslims. Mere profession is not enough, for belief must be accompanied by righteous deeds. They also considered jihad as one of Islam's pillars, due to their belief that "enjoining good and forbidding evil" meant vindicating truth through the sword. Although wiped out during the first two Islamic centuries for their almost constant rebellion against established authority, they still are found today in small pockets in Oman as well as in northern and eastern Africa. (Ed.)

[4] Ibn Kathir, al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, 6:213; Hakim, ibid., 3:366.

[5] Bayhaqi, ibid., 6:405-410; Hakim, ibid., 3:120.

[6] Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 1:102; Haythami, Majma', 9:138; Hakim, ibid., 3:113.

[7] Bukhari, 9:22; Muslim, 7:745; Bayhaqi, Dala'il, 6:426.

[8] Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 6:294; Haythami, Majma', 9:188; Bayhaqi, ibid., 6:468.

[9] Hakim, 4:482; al-Jami' al-Saghir, no. 2558.