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The Approach of Armageddon? An Islamic Perspective

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I read this books with some trepidation as I was raised being taught that Muslims are something akin to heathens, with false dark beliefs and terrorising ways, full of hatred and loathing for all mankind. I was somewhat intimidated by the many Islamic texts in the Arabic language but I understood from the introdution that these were added to give the book full scholarly authenticity.
I must say that this books changed my image of Islam from a warlike, pagan religion to a sophisticated, deeply thought-provoking faith.
The author, a shaykh (Islam religious scholar) has analyzed many of the Koran's verses which reflect on the coming of Judgement Day and the final resurrection. In this regard the Muslim-Islam beliefs appear to mirror our own Western Judeo-Christian tradition. What amazed me was the fact that the Islam holy book Koran seems to describe a number of scientific facts in detail, even despite its revelation to Mohammad fourtenn hundred years ago, which the author emphasizes.
Similarly, Mohammad's teachings seem to focus on the End Times, much as the teachings of in Revelations and Daniel. There are so many references to different trials and tribulations under which the believers must suffer as the last days brings with it a change towards atheism and disbelief in all that is holy or Godly. This then leads to a great war, Armageddon, and the redemption of the Believers (in this tradition this means the Muslims). The tribulation begins with surprise, surprise, the appearance of the Anti-Christ in Iraq! Talk about prophetic - I was stunned, particularly with the passages from Mohammad's sayings regarding the destruction of Basra.
Equally surprising is the fact that it is Jesus, not Mohammad, who leads the believers in triumph for redemption occurs when Jesus Christ descends from heaven and slays the Anti-christ. This for me was so unexpected that I had to read and reread the source materials repeatedly to be sure I was not reading a Christian text.
This then leads to a time of peace in which the Godly reign and there is no more strife on earth - the kingdom of heaven on earth. Contrary to Christian sources, it lasts only forty years, not 1000 and ends with the appearance of Gog and Magog.
The final chapter of the book, with its stress on equanamity and prayerfulness during the period of strife that is expected by Islam soon is surprisingly Christlike in spirit and for this I am grateful. It is not often one reads about Islamic teachings expressing the light of love and peace and calling for non-violence.

This intriguing book is a rare find! With each chapter it satisfied my ongoing fascination with the end of time. "The Approach to Armageddon?" cites traditional religious sources going back 1400 years. I found not only common beliefs with what I've studied in both the Old and New Testaments, but clear evidence of modern scientific discoveries predicted many centuries ago, leaving me with a sense that Islam's belief system is much more holistic and comprehensive than what we Westerners have been led to believe. I highly recommend this book to theologians and laypersons who want insight into the Islamic faith and how it treats timely topics such as terrorism, globalization, collapse of the global economy and environment, social breakdown, confusion in religion, the anti-Christ, and more.

I do not know when last I have been excited by a book as by Shaykh Hisham's The Approach of Armageddon. With non-fiction material, I normally read from the first page to the last. In the case of this book I find myself jumping to read the back sections before completing the other sections. The book has enthralled me, and has provided me with so much material to substantiate what was revealed more than 1400 years ago. Quoting profusely from the Qur'an and the Traditions, Shaykh Kabbani proves, in a very systematic way, that the world is moving into the final stages of its history. To have done what he has done, especially in the face of a massive move away from religion in many parts of the world, is an act of unequalled intellectual courage and bravery. And he writes unapologetically, driving home each argument by drawing from the broad sweep of Islamic sources.There is no doubt that this book is going to stand out as a major religious work on the Last Days. Shaykh Kabbani needs to be complemented for a work that must have taken years of research and years of planning and writing. If one considers all his other works, then there is no doubt that Shaykh Kabbani will go down in Muslim history as a major contributor to Muslim thought.

This book is a real eye-opener. The author spends the first third discussing the overlap between modern science and Islamic theology. Surprisingly there is quite a lot of similarity. This section is especially interesting considering how often religion and science are presented as diametrically opposed.

Kabbani, a Sufi shaykh and scholar, then continues by presenting Islamic theology on the end of this world. Such information is not easily available to non-Muslims. Here Islam shares some common ground with Christianity, including a belief in the return of Jesus Christ.

In this day and age when so much is written about the politics of extremists, it is nice to see a book by a peaceful man about the religion of Islam. I think anyone who believes in God will find this interesting and worthwhile reading.

Reading this book defintely made me a believer in the After-life. The elaboration of the Holy text in this book made by Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani really lets you know of what will happen and what has happened. This is a must read for people who believe and who want to believe.

When I first met the Author of this book, he seemed to me open, with a quiet authority about him. A purpose to his step. When we shook hands, he said one word to me, "Welcome". It was genuine and from the heart. The book, 'The Approach of Armegeddon...' is written in the same manner--with openess, authority, and purpose. What most impressed me though, was the knowledge I was reading something genuine. A genuine explanation to the approach of Armegeddon without the hype and finger-pointing which often accompanies interpretation.

Whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim you will be fascinated by the parallels the Author draws upon between the historic recordings in The Koran along with the written sayings of Mohammed* (the Hadith), versus the discovery of our Universe to date and the regressive nature of our society.

Einstien once wrote, "God does not play dice with the Universe." Has Mankind's future already been mapped out and pre-determined by the Creator? Is our demise on a timetable? A 'Day of Judgement' is recorded in both The Bible and The Koran. But this is not the greatest question. The greatest question is Why? That is the reason I bought this book.

*Peace Be Upon Him
(shouldn't we say the same of all prophets?)

This book could be subtitled 'A Guidebook for the End Times'. It will challenge and inspire you, shake you to your soul, and give you comfort. This could only be the result of the gift of true wisdom which, even if you didn't know Shaykh Hisham Kabbani's academic and spiritual training, you feel you can trust.
The Shaykh delves deeply into the Qur'an. Reading this book will give you a taste of real Islam as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught it. Compare the insights in this book to the prevalent fundamentalism of our times and you will see what Islam is missing today. This is Islam that the fundamentalist Wahhabis aggressively oppose and have all but destroyed in our time so that it has become extremely rare to hear this kind of wisdom, spirituality and knowledge coming from within the Islamic world.
"The Approach of Armageddon" begins with secrets of Qur'an and Hadith which were unknown at the time of the revelations, but are being 'discovered' in our own time. This is the book where science and spirituality meet. They not only meet, but expand the understanding of both. Sample chapters include: the origin of iron, the oceans which do not mix, the Big Bang theory, string theory and the ten-dimensional universe. And that's just for starters.
Then the Shaykh lays out the Signs of the Approach of the Last Days clearly and authoritatively from Bedouins who compete in constructing Tall Buildings, the contraction of Time, Scholars being replace by ignorant leaders to The Thirty Liars, The Anti-Christ, the Return of Jesus Christ, Gog and Magog. At the end of the book, Shaykh Kabbani gives the reader 'protective supplications and recitations'. I was very moved to read the review of this book by the woman with two young children who sits with them every day and reads these supplications. As a Muslim, I would highly recommend this book for both Muslims and non-Muslims......It is a rare gem in today's vast array of Islamic books.

Wow, What can I say, it is just brilliant, awesome.
All these years, while trying so hard to understand Muslims and their belief and specially after 9/11,
this book finally made it crystal clear.
I've never read a book so well written, it reads like a fountain. I can't compare any other book with this one.
Modern Science and Ancient Holy Scriptures and recent world history and current happennings...all of it just makes my heart pound faster and faster. I am thrilled, and I would like to thank the Author, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani for this amazing contribution that he just made to Humanity. The living intellectuals of this planet, who still care to listen to their hearts and those who believe, should all thank Shaykh Kabbani for this smashing work of excellence and purity. Thank you so very much for opening our eyes and offering Divine Light with message from the Heavens of hope and faith in front of a sinking world amidst an ocean of darkness. May God bless you, may everyone find the Truth and join the Truth and be with the people of Truth and serve the supporters of Truth. Amen.

Shaykh Kabbani continues to represent traditional Islam, and write important books and missionary work. I'm glad this book is available for westerners, who may have any kind of religious background.

It shows how the Prophet Mohammed, peace by upon him, completed the chain of messengers and prophets sent to mankind from God. Perhaps authentic Sufism can transfer the truth of Islam to the Western world, as it has done in countless other places throughout time?

After have read many books in English of the Islamic Traditions regarding the signs of the Last Days, this one is by far the best. Therein, is the Traditions that are related to the time we live in as what He stresses upon. Far from other books on this topic that merely `jot` down the Traditions while not being able to analyze the current situation we live in. This book has to be rated #1 in its category relating to the Last Days from a Islamic perspective in English.