Introduction

The End Times (or the Last Days) may not be a familiar concept to many people. Therefore, we first give a brief explanation of it. The End Times means "the last era." According to Islamic literature, this period of time is close to Doomsday, during which we will witness the prevalence of the Qur'an's morality and widespread adherence to religious values.

Towards the end of this period, all conditions that ensure a peaceful and safe life will be established, and the misery that marked the previous periods will be replaced will wealth, abundance, and justice. All forms of immorality, fraud, and degeneration will end. This is the blessed period, marked by Islamic morality, for which all people of faith have longed for centuries.

The Hadith literature and the works of Muslim scholars contain extensive references to this period. These descriptions indicate that, following great corruption and outrage, Earth will enter upon a period of salvation characterized by bounty and blessings due to the prevalence of true religion. In this period, science, medicine, and technology will advance to a unprecedented degree and provide extensive benefits humanity, and the understanding of art will flourish in an unprecedented way.

During the early phases of the End Times, moral degeneration will become all-pervasive due to the influence of some philosophical systems such as atheism, materialism and racism. Humanity will forget the reason for its existence and thus enter the downward spiral of spiritual purposelessness and moral degeneration. Great disasters will occur one after another. Wars and insurmountable trouble will cause humanity to seek the answer to the question: "Is there a way out?" But Allah will save people from this great turmoil and enable them to enter a blessed period. Actually, such a blessed period applies to each community at all times, provided its members abide by the Qur'an's morality. Allah has always granted great blessings to His servants who, out of their awe and consciousness of Him, comply meticulously with His commands. He causes such people to live in abundance.

What we know about the End Times comes from our Prophet's (saas) words and the works of Muslim scholars. There is no reason to doubt the authenticity of these resources, for the Hadith literature provides detailed descriptions about this period. The facts that such detailed accounts were provided 14 centuries ago and that all these happenings occurred one after another within a particular period of time is a miracle in itself, and thereby removes any misgivings regarding the origin of these words.

Indeed, since Allah gives us some information related to the End Times, such as the global prevalence of the Qur'an's morality or Jesus' second coming to Earth, we have no reason to doubt its accuracy. In the following verse, Allah gives the good news that the Qur'an's morality will pervade Earth:

Allah has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land, as He made those before them successors, and will firmly establish for them their religion, with which He is pleased, and give them, in place of their fear, security. "They worship Me, not associating anything with Me." Any who are unbelievers after that, such people are deviators. (Surat an-Nur: 55)

Signs That the Qur'an's Values Will Prevail

Many verses refer to the global prevalence of the Qur'an's values in the Golden Age, the latter years of the End Times. These verses have great parallels with our Prophet's (saas) sayings related to the Golden Age. Clearly, this prevalence is a sign of the Golden Age described by our Prophet (saas), for such an event has not occurred yet. Some verses about how this phenomenon will come about are as follows:

Allah has written, "I will be victorious, I and and My Messengers." Allah is Most Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Mujadala: 21)

They desire to extinguish Allah's Light with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His Light, though the unbelievers hate it. He sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, though the idolaters hate it. (Surat as-Saff: 8-9)

They desire to extinguish Allah's Light with their mouths. But Allah refuses to do other than perfect His Light, even though the unbelievers detest it. He sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, even though the idolaters detest it. (Surat at-Tawba: 32-33)

Allah confirms the Truth by His words, even though the evildoers hate it. (Surah Yunus: 82)

Those before them planned, but all planning belongs to Allah. He knows what each soul earns, and the unbelievers will soon know who has the Ultimate Abode. (Surat ar-Ra'd: 42)

We destroyed generations before you when they did wrong. Their Messengers brought them the Clear Signs, but they were never going to have faith. That is how We repay evildoers. Then We appointed you after them to be successors on the earth so We might observe how you would act. (Surah Yunus: 13-14)

The Qur'an relates the following divine law in many of its verses: Those who have a pure faith in Allah and do not ascribe partners to Him will inherit the earth. Some examples are the following:

We wrote down in the Zabur, after the Reminder came: "My righteous servants will inherit the earth." (Surat al-Anbiya': 105)

We will leave you the land to live in after them. That is the reward of those who fear My station and fear My threat. They asked for Allah's victory, and every obdurate tyrant failed. (Surah Ibrahim: 14-15)

Musa said to his people: "Seek help in Allah and be steadfast. Earth belongs to Allah. He bequeaths it to any of His servants He wills. The successful outcome is for those who guard against evil." They said: "We suffered harm before you came to us and after you came to us." He said: "It may well be that your Lord is going to destroy your enemy and make you the successors in the land so that He can see how you behave." (Surat al-A'raf: 128-29)

Rather We hurl truth against falsehood, and it cuts right through falsehood and causes it to vanish! Woe without end to you for what you portray! (Surat al-Anbiya': 18)

The Golden Age

Many hadiths indicate the existence of a period when the Qur'an's values will pervade Earth. This period, known as the Golden Age, will last for more than half a century and, in many ways, will resemble the Blessed Period of our Prophet (saas). We call this period the Golden Age due to our Prophet's (saas) Paradise-like depictions of it. It will be marked by the abundance of every type of goods and crops, the establishment of security, justice, peace, and happiness; and the use of advanced technology for humanity's comfort, ease, joy, and peace. No one will be in need, for all goods and services will be available to satisfy all people's material needs. Many hadiths say that "weapons will be silenced," and thus herald a world filled with peace. In the Golden Age, enemy nations will become brothers and sisters and re-establish peace, friendship, and love among their leaders and peoples.

Technology will reach its peak, and people will receive its fullest benefits. Medicine, agriculture, communication, transportation, and industry will undergo remarkable development, and people will continuously witness new discoveries. Each discovery will become an impetus for another and thereby contribute to the overall acceleration of discoveries.

The arts will flourish, and the broad horizons and deep thinking granted by faith in Allah will advance all branches of art. Such a spirit will enable people to produce glamorous works of music, theater, and painting. According to one hadith, people will be so content that they will spend their days with no idea as to how time passes and how one day turns into the next. They will pray to Allah to prolong their lives in order to receive more benefits from these graces. Another Prophetic hadith states that "the younger ones wish they were grown-ups, while the adults wish they were younger… The good become even more good, and the wicked ones are treated well."1

UNPRECEDENTED ABUNDANCE

The Golden Age will be a period of great abundance, for each individual's material wants will be satisfied according to need. Technology will produce such an abundance of goods that hunger will be eradicated forever and all people will be provided with the necessities of life. Earth's wealth will serve humanity, and new agricultural technologies will lead to an unparalleled increase in crop production. People of faith will receive great rewards for every good deed they do, both in this world and the Hereafter. Bounty and abundance, which will permeate every moment of life, will be a grace that Allah will grant to those who live by the Qur'an's moral code. Every good act they do will turn into a great fortune. In one verse, Allah describes the great reward all believers will receive when they spend for His good pleasure:

The metaphor of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah is that of a grain that produces seven ears: in every ear there are a hundred grains. Allah gives such multiplied increase to whoever He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Baqara: 261)

Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and will recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Surat an-Nahl: 97)

Many hadiths reveal that there will be an unprecedented abundance of crops and goods, all of which will be distributed without measure:

During this (period), my ummah (people) will lead a kind of comfortable and carefree life that they have never known before. (The land) will bring forth its yield and will not hold anything back.2
In the last of times there will be a khalifa (successor) who will distribute wealth without even counting it.3
Then my Ummah, be its members good or wicked, will be blessed with a blessing the like of which they have never heard before. Allah sends them an abundance of rain, the land will produce a great abundance of crops, and possessions will be commonplace.4
In those years my community will enjoy a time of happiness such as they have never experienced before. Heaven will send down rain upon them in torrents, the earth will not withhold any of its plants, and wealth will be available to all. A man will stand and say, "Give to me, Mahdi!" and he will say, "Take."5
Both the Ummah's good and wicked members will be blessed with a blessing, the like of which they have never seen before. Despite the abundance of rain, not a drop will go to waste. The land will grow fruitful and fertile, without demanding a single seed...6
The land will emit the treasures within.7
The land will turn like the silver tray growing vegetation...8

How To Attain Such Bounty

Someone sowing a measure of wheat will find 700 in return ... A person will scatter a few handfuls of seeds, but will reap 700 handfuls … Despite an abundance of rain, not a drop will go to waste.9

This hadith refers to an increase in agricultural production that will occur in the End Times by transitioning to modern agriculture, developing new production techniques, improving seed stocks, and using rainwater more efficiently by constructing new dams and ponds.

Indeed in our day, remarkable improvements in technology have increased both the productivity and quality of field crops. As with all other forms of technology, rapid developments, especially in genetics, is causing a revolution in agricultural technology. Without a doubt, this productivity will continue to grow until it reaches its peak in the Golden Age.

One hadith of our Prophet about the Golden Age is as follows: During The Last Days Of My Community, The Mahdi Will Emerge. Allah Will Give Him Abundant Rain And The Earth Will Bring Forth Its Plants And Give Forth Its Wealth And Herds Will Multiply And The Community Will Be Huge. (Al-Hakim Hadiths) The Golden Age is a time when there will be an abundance of crops and possessions. This age's advanced technology and science will enable the production of high-quality and durable crops.

The Improvement of Crops

Thanks to the technological developments that will occur in the Golden Age, seed quality and irrigation systems will improve greatly. This way, many deserts will become fertile and crop yields will increase.

In the End Times, every agricultural development will serve all of humanity. In our own time, only some groups or societies benefit from technology, but in the Golden Age everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, age, gender, or language, will enjoy its benefits. No one will enjoy special privileges, for both rich and poor will have equal access to these services. No one will suffer from poverty or starve, for opulence and welfare will mark this era. Technology will ensure the transition to an agricultural system that secures healthy, tasty, durable, cheap, and abundant yields. Current scientific developments, especially in genetics, already provide hints about the nature of these technological developments and the kind of abundance that they will bring.

Genetics has a vast field of application in food production. Thanks to genetics, genes that cause abnormalities in the genetic codes (DNA) of plants can be eliminated, and those that improve plant quality and durability can be identified. Considering that substantial agricultural products can be obtained only from quality raw material, these methods, which ensure the production of plants resistant to salt and temperature extremes, will lead to an agricultural revolution. A plant's level of protein or vitamin can be increased by injecting DNA pieces into its cells. The same method can produce plants that are resistant to pests, herbicides, disease, severe weather conditions, and poor soil. Genetic studies of seeds seek to minimize anything that might harm a seed and support a year-round agricultural industry. The finalization of these studies will bring great prosperity and abundance in agriculture.

In the End Times, the prevailing Qur'anic morality will ensure that everyone will receive their just share of goods. In fact, these goods will be so abundant that everyone will receive all that they ask for, and much more besides. At all times, Allah grants to His servants who display this moral excellence an abundant life and promises them great blessings both in this world and beyond. This is related in Surat an-Nahl:

Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Surat an-Nahl: 97)

Like genetics, scientific researchers are working to produce fruits and vegetables that can stay fresher longer and field crops that can thrive in extreme climates. Long-term storage and preservation of food, as well as eliminating the factors that cause rot and decay, will be the sign of the abundance that people will experience in the End Times. Recent breakthroughs in technology and new methods (e.g., radiation, high temperature, high pressure, and genetic studies) render bacteria ineffective and thus make months-long food storage possible. Gamma or electron radiation, for instance, reduces or eradicates such disease-producing agents as microbes, bacteria, and nits. Food that is treated according to such methods become durable and carries no risk of food poisoning. Furthermore, processed food can maintain its flavor, freshness, taste, and color in a form very similar to its natural state and never lose its juice. A radiated strawberry can be safely stored in a refrigerator for months, and a potato can be kept for an extended period of time without budding.

Another benefit of agricultural technology will be satellites that constantly monitor agricultural fields. Aerial photography will enable the earliest possible discovery of all types of potential harm to crops. Weather conditions, underground water and mineral resources, and pests will be monitored by satellites. In this satellite picture, those regions invaded by harmful insects are shown in red.(left) In our day, agriculture through satellite-monitoring is being implemented in some American states and has already proved to be successful.  Genetic studies focus on producing more durable crops containing high level of vitamins.

Such processes will end waste and ensure the optimum employment of resources. Such technological developments, which are still at a very early stage, have only limited applications today. However, they will be very effective in maintaining the land's abundance in the End Times. People will be able to allocate resources wisely and minimize waste, and farmers will be able to produce huge amounts of long-lasting and quality agricultural products.

In the Golden Age, technology will serve humanity, and its blessings will be allocated evenly among all people regardless of ethnicity, community, and country. Nations that are far from one another, as well as societies of dissimilar cultures, will benefit from these sources evenly, and everyone will enjoy a just administration. Adherence to the Qur'an's morality in its true sense will ensure the maintenance of this Paradise-like order on Earth. The just administration of sincere Muslims, who turn to Allah for every deed they perform, will secure peace and security, as well as continued blessings.

Greening the Deserts

Another sign for the greening of deserts is the following hadith: "…every piece of land will be planted" (Al-Isha‘ah li-ashrat al-sa‘ah, p.255). If we consider that deserts make up 43 percent of all land, we can better understand the importance of greening the deserts in order to feed starving countries.

Another sign of the End Time's abundance is the greening of the world's deserts. This development's significance can be better understood if we consider that deserts make up 43 percent of all land. Today, the constant water supply to deserts makes agricultural production possible in even most barren locations. Applying technology to deserts will provide drought-hit countries on the edge of starvation with fertile land.

Computer-monitored irrigation systems that divert water directly to plant roots and prevent even a single drop of water from going to waste will allow agricultural production in deserts. Purifying and then using all forms of water are also important for desert agriculture. Treated flood and sea water will provide ample amounts of water, form the basis of agricultural technology, and be a great gain for the countries' economy. Our Prophet (saas) referred to the productive use of water, as follows:

Both the good and the evil members of the Ummah will be blessed with a blessing the like of which they will have never heard. Despite the abundance of rain, not a drop will go waste; the land will become fruitful without a single seed.10

Computer-monitored irrigation systems that divert water directly to plant roots and thus prevent even a single drop of water from going to waste is one of the technologies that will allow agricultural production in deserts. These technologies will be widely available in the Golden Age. Hydroponics (growing plants without soil) is another method for greening deserts. In the Golden Age, this method will be very instrumental, especially in regions with unfavourable climates and low incomes. This method, which is currently employed in very few regions, will make vegetable growing possible even in the most infertile desert and thus bring relief to lands suffering from drought and misery. Aquaponics (growing plants in water) offers many advantages, for it allows producers full control over the nutrients that plants need. Another advantage is that water does not contain the abundant microbes that are found in the soil.

The High Cost of Living and Poverty Will End

As the Golden Age will be a time of welfare and great wealth, all people will receive more than they demand. Nothing will be measured or counted. However, the high cost of living and poverty are the main features of the earlier periods of the End Times, for the poor will become poorer while the rich will become richer. This feature is also emphasized in a hadith, as follows: Poverty will spread.11

Allah sends starvation and poverty to warn people who are far removed from religion. If such people had faith, they would find relief from the great troubles and hardships that they meet throughout their lives. Indeed, Allah grants great wealth, happiness, and welfare to Muslims who have faith in Him and earnestly serve His cause, while He sends trouble and suffering to unbelievers in return for their disbelief. When people become ungrateful, Allah takes back their blessings and tests them with starvation and fear. One verse mentions this Divine Justice:

Corruption has appeared in both land and sea because of what people's own hands have brought about, so that they may taste something of what they have done, so that hopefully they will turn back. (Surat ar-Rum: 41)

Allah gives the example of Pharaoh and his people, who were subjected to drought and scarcity of crops because of their ungratefulness. Allah tested Pharaoh with drought at a time when he had been enjoying great wealth and possessions:

We seized Pharaoh's people with years of drought and scarcity of fruits so that hopefully they would pay heed. (Surat al-A'raf: 130)

Throughout the Qur'an, Allah calls attention to these attributes of disbelieving societies:

Allah makes an example of a city that was safe and at peace, its provision coming to it plentifully from every side. Then it showed ingratitude for Allah's blessings, so Allah made it wear the robes of hunger and fear for what it did. (Surat an-Nahl: 112)

Allah reveals the real reason why He makes the unbelievers' lives troublesome:

But if anyone turns away from My reminder, his life will be a dark and narrow one … (Surah Ta-Ha: 124)

Those societies that turned away from Messengers' warnings and insisted upon denial have always encountered great trouble. However, as the verses and hadiths inform us, sincere Muslims are always rewarded with great blessings for their faith. In addition to this, our Prophet (saas) said that his people will live in blessings, especially during the Last Days:

A time will come when a person, with his golden alms in his hand, will go around, finding no one (in need) who is willing to receive the alms.12
Then will my Ummah be blessed, the number of animals will increase and the land will bear its fruits.13
Definitely possessions will be in abundance then, flowing like water. Yet no one will (condescend) to take any.14

Great Advances in Technology

The technological advances of the twentieth century, especially during its last quarter, were without historical precedent. Many technological instruments that were unknown just 100 years ago have become integral parts of our lives. The gap between the technology of the previous century and of today has reached unimaginable dimensions. Current developments provide important signs regarding the technological advances from which people will benefit in the Golden Age.

That age's technological advances will provide great comfort and ease to people's lives. The time spent at home, at one's job, and in school will be comfortable, enjoyable, and pleasant. Housework, shopping, security systems, heating, ventilation, electricity are just a few of the things that will be monitored by computers. Robots will replace human labor in many areas. In their comfortable armchairs, watching television, people will be able to handle their work through remote-controlled robots. Scientists predict that housework, instrument maintenance, removing of dust at home will be done by robots, some as small as nanochips. By Allah's Will, all of these predictions will come true, and the majority of time-consuming tasks will be accomplished by technological instruments.

Technology will present the beauties of the world to people. Through high-tech television, people will have the privilege to see and enjoy three-dimensional environments and even to participate in recreational activities and games. Virtual reality technology will enhance learning and provide people with valuable life skills.

The extensive use of computers and Internet technologies will bring radical changes to education. Home-schooling will be easier and more involved with the developing virtual reality technologies. More efficient learning systems, which will rely on gaining personal experience through virtual reality technologies or the Internet, will replace the classical education methods, which are based on memorization. Virtual reality is used extensively today in training. For example, environments that may be hazardous in the real world can be simulated quite easily by using virtual reality technology. Thanks to this technology, pilot training, for instance, has become safe. In the Golden Age, these technologies will be applied from business and planning to manufacturing and entertainment, and to many diverse business domains.

The radical changes due to appear in education and training in the Golden Age will benefit entire nations. As is the case with all other times, those people of the Golden Age who live according to the real spirit of the Qur'an's moral teachings will attain all of the beauty, comfort, and ease that they deserve. They will live amidst abundance. 

Advances in Transportation

Advances in transportation will offer comfort and security and minimize time loss. New highways and high-tech vehicles will be instrumental in preventing accidents.

The extensive use of underground transportation will eliminate traffic congestion. Electricity, solar energy, or wind power will replace the air polluting fuel oils used in vehicles and thus make cities more livable places.

Among His signs is that He sends the winds bearing good news, to give you a taste of His mercy, and to make the ships run by His command, and to enable you to seek His bounty so that hopefully you will be thankful. (Surat ar-Rum:46)

Supersonic planes, trains, and other high-tech vehicles will offer all the comforts one may need. More importantly, this technology will serve everyone, and not just a particular part of the world's population. All people will have access to the same technology, and discrimination will end.

The Pace of Technological Advancement In The End Times The technological advances witnessed in the last two decades of the twentieth century were unprecedented in world history. Many technological instruments we had no idea of even 100 years ago are now integral parts of our lives. Cellular phones, for instance, described as a product of "space technology" in the journals of the 1980s, are now the most ordinary means of communication. These rapid scientific and technological developments provide clues about the sort of technology that people will enjoy in the Golden Age.

The first sound recording was done by Thomas Edison in 1877. During the last two decades, sound quality has attained perfection in terms of quality.

Until the 1960s, television-related technology could only produce black and white televisions. Today, televisions offer three-dimensional images and high-quality sound.

Since Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, communication technology has developed rapidly and become widespread. The production of cellular phones was a technological breakthrough. The next big step in communication technology is expected to be video-phones.

The twentieth century's greatest breakthrough was computer technology. There is a tremendous gap between the first bulky computers and the modern computers of today. In many areas, ranging from medicine to education and from science to agriculture, computers have changed the course of our lives.

Over the last 140 years of photography, cameras have evolved into hundreds of species, ranging from single-use pocket cameras to 4x5" studio cameras. Bridging the gap to digital imaging took place during the last two decades.

In the Golden Age, more efficient learning systems that rely on gaining personal experience through virtual reality technologies or the Internet will replace the classical education methods, which are based on the mere memorization of learning material.

Environments that may be hazardous in the real world can be simulated using virtual reality technology. Thanks to this technology, pilot training, for instance, has become safe. In the Golden Age, these technologies will be used in all fields ranging from business and planning to manufacturing and entertainment.

It will be easier to notice the flaws and find solutions for someone who is trained in car manufacturing in a virtual environment. Thus, experience and quality will replace education based on memorizing.

Technological advances in the Golden Age will add great comfort, ease, and joy to people's lives. However, these benefits will not be confined to a handful of people but will be available to all people. Employing robots in technology or housework will offer great comfort.

In the Golden Age, technological advances in transportation will put new energy resources to use. Electricity, solar energy, or wind power will replace air-polluting fuel oils used in vehicles, and thus will make cities more livable.

The transition from steam locomotive to supersonic trains has been very rapid. But in the Golden Age, aside from speed, security and comfort also will gain importance.

The extensive use of underground transportation will improve all cities' beauty and eliminate traffic congestion. As a result, people will live in more beautiful and pleasing cities.

Advances in Communication

Great advances in communication will provide very rapid communication and information exchange among all people, regardless of location. Satellite-based telecommunication networking, in particular, will provide tremendously rapid communication, and holographic telephones will introduce a new dimension to communication by projecting a life-size holographic image of the person being called.

Computer and Internet Technology in Humanity's Service

Computer technologies will surely play a great role in the abundance of blessings. Today, computers are improving life quality in houses, workplaces, medicine, communication, the arts, and so on. In the Golden Age, these developments will accelerate in the socioeconomic domain on a global basis and bring more comfort to humanity.

In the twentieth century, Internet technology opened a new era by making communication and information sharing almost instantaneous. Learning, reading an international organization's reports, researching in a library, getting news, learning about technological developments and relevant comments now takes only a few minutes. As a result, comprehensive information collection that used to take long years of research can now be done with a minimum of effort.

As the Internet has overcome all obstacles to sharing accumulated information, all people and nations can have access to it. The ever-developing Internet technologies will have more to offer in the future.

One point deserves a special mention here. At no time in human history has the world witnessed such rapid development. In particular, the twentieth century's technological developments have been unprecedented. Only 100 years ago, no one could have imagined the world in which we live today. Only 15 or 20 years ago, people would have seen the Internet as a very advanced technology that could only be attained maybe after 100 years. Each of these developments indicates that humanity is approaching a very important time. It appears that the Golden Age will be a glorious time when people will benefit from all sorts of technology and thousands of blessings.

Technological Revolution in Energy

The energy age that began with the Industrial Revolution, usually considered to designate the period of 1750-1830 in Britain, reached a defining point with the technological developments of the twentieth century. In the coming 50 years, the world's population is expected to double and energy consumption to triple. Meanwhile, according to the best estimations, available oil reserves will meet humanity's needs for no longer than a century. Natural gas reserves, on the other hand, will be exhausted within a few decades. These facts have led scientists to turn their attention to cheaper and readily available energy sources, such as the sun, wind, and water.

Energy production from non-polluting sources is the major development of the foreseeable future. For instance, wind power will make coastal cities, in particular, less dependent on customary energy supplies and promote economic development by lessening dependency on foreign supplies and thereby increasing the general welfare. Wind power's non-abating nature and easy-accessibility have encouraged scientists to focus on producing renewable energy from wind.

Solar energy is another potential energy source. On an annual basis, Earth receives an amount of solar energy that amounts to 15,000 times our total current energy consumption. The solar energy received over a 20-day period equals the world's total energy reserves. Therefore, the efficient use of these resources will end our oil dependency.

Thanks to the Internet, any development that occurs in any part of the world will be communicated to all nations. The Internet will eliminate all problems related to information sharing. The advance of science and technology in the Golden Age will make the Internet a better means to serve to humanity.

Thanks to fiber optic cables, the concept of distance will lose its meaning in the Golden Age. The network of fiber optic cables covering the entire world will provide rapid information exchange and communication to such an extent that information filling millions of volumes of books will be conveyed to another continent in less than a second.

The significance of putting all energy resources to use is better understood if we consider that the sunlight received by Earth in only 20 days equals the world's total energy reserves.

The efficient use of solar energy and wind power will end dependency on oil. These alternative sources of energy will meet all energy needs in houses, transportation, heating, or appliances.

Advances in Science

Thinking is essential to recognize the wonders and beauties surrounding us. The Qur'an invites people to ponder so as to see the signs of Allah encompassing them. This is the only way to appreciate Allah's superior wisdom and power, which He manifests in living beings. Subtleties concealed in the creation of the heavens, Earth, animals, plants, and human beings deserve our deep thought. In the following verses, Allah invites people to think on these subtleties: He Who created the seven heavens in layers. You will not find any flaw in the creation of the All-Merciful. Look again-do you see any gaps? (Surat al-Mulk: 3) Man has only to look at what he was created from. (Surat at-Tariq: 5) Have they not looked at the camel-how it was created? And at the sky-how it was raised up? And at the mountains-how they were embedded? And at the earth-how it was smoothed out? (Surat al-Ghashiyya: 17-20) Complying with Allah's commands, which encourage people to think, analyze, and research, will open new scientific horizons. These very developments, which flourish wherever people live according to the real spirit of the Qur'an's moral teachings, will be evident in the Golden Age, a time of unprecedented scientific development. In the Golden Age, the major factor that will enable such scientific development will be science's purification from some dogmas and erroneous goals. In recent centuries, such bigoted beliefs as materialist philosophy and Darwinism have impeded scientific progress. Many scientists concentrated their efforts on proving entirely mistaken assumptions, and great amounts of effort and time have been wasted. In the Golden Age, the scientific world will embrace the fact that Allah created the universe and everything that it contains. This will allow science to be practiced on sound foundations. Available resources that were used to support Darwin's fantasies or to produce chemical weapons and nuclear bombs will be channeled to humanity's service in compliance with Allah's consent. Aware that serving humanity will earn Allah's good pleasure, scientists will engage in more fruitful research. Developments in Genetics Each development in the Golden Age will lead to great advances in medicine. The discovery of the structure of DNA in the mid-twentieth century opened new horizons in medicine and biology. Similarly, all scientific and technological developments in the Golden Age will add momentum to medical studies, minimize errors, shorten the time required for an accurate diagnosis, and enable patients to receive the optimum treatment. Genetics, which will be the science of this new century, will be the impetus behind medical advances. Studies on the human DNA code seek to disclose the genetic causes of many diseases. One goal of the Human Genome Project, originally planned to last for 15 years and being worked upon by thousands of scientists from more than eight countries, is to identify the genes in human DNA and thereby uncover its mysteries. Determining the sequences of human DNA's 3 billion chemical base pairs, entering this information in databases, and using the related technologies to serve science will open a new era. The project's primary goals are to protect people against disease by altering the DNA code, predetermining how the body responds to medicines, and ensuring protection by predetermining every human beings' weaknesses. Devising medicines solely for an individual's needs, as well as forming a database of genetic features and a genetic card for a person, are also on the scientists' agenda. As science can progress only as far as Allah wills, we should not be worried about such undertakings, as many people are today. Such research either will succeed and benefit humanity, or fail due to Allah's will. Thanks to these developments, doctors will be able to detect minute differences of the same diseases and then use individualized treatment procedures or techniques. As a result, people living in the Golden Age will not suffer from maltreatment and feel desperate. Everyone will immediately receive the appropriate medical assistance, for ideal morality and good conduct complies with the duty to help patients and save their lives. In the Golden Age, enhancing an individual's health and quality of life will be of primary importance. Advances in Medicine People guided by the Qur'an's values consider human life to be very precious. In a society of believers, therefore, people pay great attention to issues related to human health. Regardless of their status or qualities, anyone, whether rich or poor, young or old, will receive the treatment he or she deserves. All solutions will be exhausted, and great sacrifices will be made to save a person's life, for according to the Qur'an's values, people receive great rewards for trying to treat and cure those who are sick so that they might have healthier and fuller lives. So We decreed for the tribe of Israel that if someone kills another person-unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth-it is as if he had murdered all mankind. And if anyone gives life to another person, it is as if he had given life to all mankind. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 32) In compliance with this verse, Muslims in the Golden Age will make serious efforts to develop and implement workable strategies to promote quality health care for all and to ensure that patients receive optimal care. Advances in City Planning In the twenty-first century, scientists will strive to spread the use of more efficient technology further afield. One of today's primary goals is to use computer technology to assist people with basic day-to-day tasks, tasks that are otherwise unrelated to technology and thus minimize the labor force. Many technological devices, thought to be limited to science fiction movies only, have already been incorporated into our lives and started to offer comfort. Maintaining cities by making use of computer technology, which will change the faces of cities today immensely, will be instrumental in monitoring infrastructure systems; handling urgent help needs, traffic, and city planning; and improving security and health services. People will not waste time by waiting in lines to receive public services, for all sorts of administrative information related to a person will be available in computers. Thanks to earthquake-resistant technologies, buildings will be able to survive severe earthquakes. Now, a single intense jolt can reduce an entire city to heaps of rubble. In the Golden Age, however, both the construction systems and materials will, by Allah's Will, help buildings withstand intense shakes. In this way, technology will ensure people's security and make it easier for them to cope with urgent situations. Due to changes in energy resources, every city will become an energy-generating unit. In this context, they will rely heavily on wind and solar power, and especially upon solar reactors for purifying drinking water, and generating electricity and heat. These renewable energy sources will meet all of humanity's needs and reduce energy transportation between different cities and countries. Coastal cities will obtain their energy from water or wind, thereby ending their problems related to environmental pollution. In cities, people will grow all kinds of food through hydroponics (growing plants without soil) and aquaponics (growing plants in water). Furthermore, there will be great improvements in the way cities look. Their cleaning and ordering will be maintained via computers, and their appearance will change, for greening the cities will become a policy. The congestion, pollution, and chaos dominating our contemporary urban areas results from our distance from the Qur'an's concept of morality. When people adhere to the Qur'an, they seek to establish an environment similar to that of Paradise. They always think about how to improve and better their surroundings, and thank Allah for the great comfort, relief, and beauty He has granted. In return, they receive more of the beauties that Allah promises to His servants who give thanks: And when your Lord announced: "If you are grateful, I will certainly give you increase, but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is severe." (Surah Ibrahim: 7) In another verse, Allah warns the people of `Imran, who lived in a very beautiful city: "Eat of your Lord's provision and give thanks to Him: a bountiful land and a forgiving Lord." (Surah Saba: 15) Scientists are currently working on chips that can conduct DNA tests for identification. A piece of hair or skin taken from the crime scene is tested on this little chip, and the result is matched with data bank. The process delivers quick and reliable results. In genetics, the Human Genome Project is one of the most important projects of recent years. The results of this project, which consist of thousands of dedicated scientists working on teams from more than eight countries, will be a breakthrough. The project's primary goals are to protect against diseases by making changes to the DNA code, to predetermine how the body responds to various medicines, and to take precautions against bodily weaknesses. This project will make it possible to determine every human beings' weaknesses. As all progress comes about through Allah's will, the resulting knowledge and data will only benefit humanity, for the prevailing Qur'anic values and morality will make its abuse impossible. In an environment where people are guided by the Qur'an's values, human life is considered very precious. For this reason, in a society of believers, people pay the utmost attention to issues of human health. The latest technology is used in treatments and operations. All solutions are exhausted and great sacrifices are made to save a person's life. One of the technological breakthroughs in medicine is picturing the area on which an operation is carried out by sending a powerful source of light into an organism through fiber optic cables.

The Arts in the Golden Age

In the Golden Age, the bounty, abundance, wealth, beauty, arts, and improvements will mark every instant of life. People will always meet beauty and, like the moral excellence they display, the places in which they live, as well as their gardens, home decorations, clothes, music, entertainment, artworks, paintings, and conversations, will become more beautiful. Consequently, people will experience all of the beauties that Allah mentions in the Qur'an. In one verse, Allah states that the faithful believers will be given a beautiful life in this world:

What is with you runs out, but what is with Allah goes on forever. Those who were steadfast will be recompensed according to the best of what they did. Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Surat al-Nahl: 96-97)

The Qur'an calls attention to the fact that the environment of those who abide by Allah's commands will be transformed into a kind of "Abode of Peace." Allah also gives the good news that He will reward people for their fine morality, and give a better life in this world and an infinite life in the Hereafter.

Allah calls to the Abode of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path. Those who do good will have the best and more! Neither dust nor debasement will darken their faces. They are the Companions of Paradise, remaining in it timelessly, forever. (Surah Yunus: 25-26)

The Arts in an Environment Permeated by Qur'anic Morality

We can imagine the daily life, arts, economy, and social life that will exist in the Golden Age, for the Qur'an prescribes an understanding that comprises every instant of life. This understanding is based on doing good works that will find favor in Allah's sight, and adopting the best, most accurate, and rational conduct. This Qur'anic understanding and the wisdom it offers will cause a heretofore unprecedented and superior understanding of arts to flourish.

In our day, the majority of people involved in different branches of the arts consider art as a materialistic profession that will earn them fame and a high standard of living. Most of the time, they make art not for art's sake but for money. Their sense of art is driven by a concern for profit or fame rather than following their own inspiration. For this reason, they undertake no serious effort and feel no need to expand their horizons to produce novel works of art, for they only desire immediate material returns. However, the telling attribute of an artist is his or her ability to think freely and deeply, and thereby produce unique works.

Meanwhile, even if an artist is committed to produce quality works and succeeds in doing so, those responsible for the business part of this undertaking fail to support his or her endeavor, for such works may not be profitable in the prevailing market conditions. In our day, instead of appreciating a work's artistry, meaning, aesthetics, and quality, many art galleries present productions that lack taste, artistry, quality, and meaning.

The Golden Age will eliminate such views, for material concerns that corrupt artistic values will disappear when everyone receives their share from the prevailing abundance and welfare. This free state of mind will allow artists to devote all their attention to displaying their talents in a peaceful atmosphere. People will realize that art is a divine beauty, and finally will give all types of art their due attention. Inspired by the beauties that they see in Allah's creation, artists will produce remarkable works. The Qur'an's values and the wealth of senses that these values bring will generate in people the will to produce ingenious works.

Another reason for this flourishing of the arts will be the abandonment of any tendency to portray hideousness, which is a popular tendency today. The penetration of nihilist and pessimistic beliefs into society, along with the prevalence of materialist philosophy, accounts for this tendency. Hideousness is valued, and productions introduced under the guise of art cause people to drift toward pessimism, tension, and depression. The themes of such art is often death, pain, hate, loneliness, purposelessness, and meaninglessness. This situation is a natural consequence of the chaos and destruction inflicted by unbelief on the human soul. In the End Times, all of these psychological disorders will disappear, and humanity will experience the joy, happiness, and security brought about by the Qur'an's values. This will, in turn, transform the arts into an endeavor that depict beauty rather than hideousness.

Being Inspired by the Surrounding Beauties

Recognizing the subtleties, taking pleasure in them, and presenting them to others in a form that causes delight underlies the essence of the arts. These features owe their existence to the Qur'an's values. In the Qur'an, Allah commands people to examine every thing, ponder over it, and see the divine purposes behind all events. One of the verses by which Allah summons people to ponder is as follows:

Have they not looked at the sky above them: how We structured it and made it beautiful and how there are no fissures in it? And the land: how We stretched it out and cast firmly embedded mountains onto it and caused luxuriant plants of every kind to grow in it, an instruction and a reminder for every devotee turning to Allah. And We sent down blessed water from the sky and made gardens grow by it and grain for harvesting and soaring date-palms with layered spathes. (Surah Qaf: 6-10)

Everything stated in this verse is encountered frequently by people in their daily lives. However, only the believers who strive to see the divine purposes in these things can see the beauty in them. A strawberry's color, a rose's odor, a banana's flawless packaging, the heavens adorned with stars-all of these mean a lot to the faithful. Art is one way to express these beauties and then interpret and incorporate them effectively into our daily lives. Various branches of art, such as painting, music, or decoration, convey the joy inspired by such beauties to the human soul.

In the Golden Age, every living thing and each incident will stir great joy in people's hearts and, accordingly, manifest itself in artworks, city planning, construction, landscaping, and so on. Artists who see the world through the outlook endowed by the Qur'an's teachings will amaze the world with their masterpieces. Their innovative works will be unique and invigorate people's lives.

The Example of Prophet Sulayman (as)

The Qur'an provides a detailed account about aesthetics. Prophet Sulayman (as), who had a superior understanding of art, is a good example of the Muslims' aesthetic understanding. From the Qur'anic accounts, we understand that art, aesthetics, and beauty pervaded Prophet Sulayman (as)'s palace. Its floor, which was the first thing to catch people's attention, gave the impression of water, for it was made of glass. The sight of such a transparent floor appeals to the human soul and gives relief. It is also exciting, since it is unique. Indeed, the impact of the palace's splendor on the Queen of Saba is related in the Qur'an as follows:

But what she worshipped besides Allah impeded her. She was from an unbelieving people. She was told: "Enter the courtyard." But when she saw it, she supposed it to be a pool and bared her legs. He said: "It is a courtyard paved with glass." She said: "My Lord, I have wronged myself, but I have submitted with Sulayman to the Lord of all the worlds." (Surat an-Naml: 43-44)

The Qur'an provides further details about Prophet Sulayman (as)'s life. One verse calls our attention to why he enjoyed wealth, power, and magnificence, which are blessings from Allah:

And he said: "Truly do I love the love of good, with a view to the glory of my Lord." (Surah Sad: 32)

Another verse informs us that he made his people produce various works of art:

They made for him anything that he wished: high arches and statues, huge dishes like cisterns, great built-in cooking vats. "Work, family of Dawud, in thankfulness!" But very few of My servants are thankful. (Surah Saba: 13)

These works of art convey his elegant understanding of art. Today, only one wall of this temple known as Solomon'sTemple in Jerusalem remains, but as the Qur'an and historical documents and accounts reveal, it was once a magnificent palace. In the Qur'an, Allah commands Muslims to take lessons from the Prophets' lives and moral excellence. In this sense, what the Qur'an tells us about Prophet Sulayman (as) is very precious, for it exemplifies the kind of innovations Muslims can make in art and aesthetics, and how they can embellish Earth with superb works of art. In the Golden Age, there will be people who adhere to the Qur'an and, in compliance with Allah's commands, take lessons from its accounts of the Prophets' lives. In this sense also, the Golden Age will have parallels with Prophet Sulayman's (as) period.

Advances in the Arts

The Qur'an gives a detailed account of such a society's life. Those who comply with the Qur'an's commands can readily recognize the right and beautiful and eliminate what is undesirable, since they are guided by their conscience and reason. Consequently, those who have based their morality on the Qur'an's teachings will render invaluable services in the arts, music, theatre, and literature.

As the above examples suggest, Allah provides all believers with the understanding of aesthetics, art, and beauty, both in Paradise and in daily life. In the Qur'anic sense, art cannot be confined to music, literature, and painting, for art fills every field of life with its own vigor. Believers display their understanding of the arts in a number of ways; speaking beautifully, being witty and humorous, being able to use the tone of voice in a fine manner, having a taste for clothes, home decoration, landscaping, cooking tasteful dishes that also look pleasing to the eye, preparing aesthetic tables, showing affection and love, sincerely expressing the affection felt for children, for instance, or likewise, displaying respect and love to an elderly person or hosting visitors.

The Golden Age will be a period when people will strive to engage in art and present beauty to other people with their works of art, looks, conversations, and conduct.

Advances in Cinema, Theater and Music

People need to broaden their horizons in order to understand the Golden Age's superior and unique arts. Most contemporary works of art either lack creative power or are imitations, for most people make no effort to think and produce new ideas. Meanwhile, any novelty is imitated and thus quickly loses its originality.

Monotony also manifests itself in music-making. For instance, a song's performance is limited to certain instruments, while a musical work may have many variations. Being resistant to true innovation, narrow-mindedness and competition underlie this lack of ingenuity. People tend to imitate popular works, since they prefer fame and material gain over aesthetic values. For this reason, despite belonging to different genres, the identical rhythms, melodies, and lyrics are repeated.

This is also why innovative theater plays are not produced. For centuries, the same plays are repeated with minor alterations. The characters' conversations, answers and behaviors become so similar that a regular theater-goer almost knows them by heart. The actors' actions, voices of tone, style, and way of addressing are far from natural.

However, in the Golden Age, everyone will learn how to take pleasure from the surrounding beauties and will strive for perfection. Its welfare will enable artists to produce amazing works of art. In music and other branches of art, various and unique works will be produced. Perfectly original video clips and forms of entertainment will make every instant of life more enjoyable and vivid.

Some contemporary artists produce fine works of art. But due to the reasons mentioned above, they are few in number and thus their works are accessible to only a mere handful of people. In the Golden Age, however, these works will be available to the public.

These are only a few of the Golden Age's unique advances. In an environment where people comply strictly with the Qur'an's commands, the believers' lives will become perfect. In the following verse, Allah informs us that the only reason why people remain deprived of blessings is unbelief:

Were it not that mankind might all become one community, We would have given those who reject the All-Merciful silver roofs to their houses, silver stairways to ascend, silver doors to their houses, silver couches on which to recline, and gold ornaments. (Surat az-Zukhruf: 33-35)

Each sample of Allah's unique creation is an inspiration for all branches of art. The beauty of a grape, the matchless color and harmony of a butterfly's wings, the elegance of a swan, the beauty of color and texture of a flower, or the perfect harmony of a zebra's skin or leopard's fur are only a few of these. Art is one of the ways to express, interpret, and incorporate these beauties into our daily lives. Various branches of art, such as painting, music, or decoration, convey the joy that these beauties inspire in the human soul.  They will enter Gardens of Eden, where they will be adorned with gold bracelets and pearls, and where their clothing will be of silk. (Surah Fatir: 33) She was told: "Enter the courtyard." But when she saw it, she supposed it to be a pool and bared her legs. He said: "It is a courtyard paved with glass." She said: "My Lord, I have wronged myself, but I have submitted with Sulayman to the Lord of all the worlds." (Surat an-Naml: 44) Illustrations of Prophet Sulayman's (as) magnificent palace.

The Golden Age's Paradise-like Environment

In the Qur'an, Allah informs us that the believers' real abode is Paradise. Consequently, the aesthetic understanding of a person who lives by the Qur'an's morality is also shaped according to Paradise's standards. As their real home is Paradise, the way for the believers to beautify this world is to turn it into a place that reminds them of Paradise.

The believers' longing for Paradise urges them to transform their surroundings into Paradise-like places. Paradise, no doubt, abounds with works of art beyond our imagination. It is a place of images and beauties of such perfection that they are unlikely to be attained in this world. Still, the Qur'an's outlook urges us to use all of Earth's available resources to turn our planet into an image of Paradise.

First of all, the believers manifest the Qur'anic understanding of cleanliness in their immediate surroundings. In the Golden Age, all places (e.g., highways, places of worship, recreational places, workplaces, and houses) will be very clean. In one verse, Allah commands them to "purify your clothes. Shun all filth." (Surat al-Muddathtir: 4-5) In compliance with this verse, their clothes will be perfectly clean and the necessary cleansers will be available to everyone so that cleaning one's clothes will become an easy task.

Keeping the environment clean also will be a very important issue. Environmental and air pollution will no longer be a threat to city dwellers. Public places will provide all forms of comfort to people. For example, both hot and cold water will be available in places of worship and everyone will have easy access to public transportation. People will no longer have unpleasant experiences in crowded, airless public places, for innovative systems and technology will make such places only a distant memory.

People will have vivid social lives. Recreational places will be designed to provide comfort and will be very clean. Places where young people gather will be free of harmful foods and drinks, and human health will be the primary concern.

People will be encouraged to love animals, there will be parks in which people can see all sorts of animals. Furthermore, such wild animals as cheetahs, lions, and leopards will be domesticated. Dangerous animals, such as scorpions or snakes, will no longer pose a threat to humanity, for their poisons will be eliminated through biological methods. In one of his sayings, our Prophet (saas) called attention to this favorable environment:

A person will let his sheep and animals out to pasture. They will go and, being in the midst of crops, will not bite a single ear of corn. Snakes and scorpions will harm no one, and wild animals will be on the doorway, causing no harm.15

People will long for Paradise and hope for Allah's good pleasure, which will enable them to enter Paradise. Consequently, they will do their best to produce works of art similar to those in Paradise or to imitate the beauty and aesthetics of Paradise. Allah depicts Paradise's environment as follows:

And [He] will reward them for their steadfastness with a garden [in Paradise] and with silk. Reclining in it on couches, they will experience there neither burning sun nor bitter cold. Its shading branches will droop down over them, its ripe fruit hanging ready to be picked. Vessels of silver and goblets of pure crystal will be passed round among them, crystalline silver-they have measured them very exactly. They will be given there a cup to drink mixed with the warmth of ginger. In it there is a flowing spring called Salsabil. Ageless youths will circulate among them, serving them. Seeing them, you would think them scattered pearls. And when you look, it is there that you will see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent. (Surat al-Insan: 12-20)

Allah will present countless blessings and beauties to the believers in Paradise. In return for their moral excellence and efforts to spread the Qur'an's morality, they will be rewarded with a blissful and glorious life. With the verse, "And when you look, it is that there you will see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent" (Surat al-Insan: 20), Allah informs Muslims about the magnificence of Paradise.

Allah provides a detailed account of Paradise's blessings, such as mansions built in gardens, food, shade, clothes of striking colors, jewels, and thousands of other things of which the believers are unaware. This world's blessings are only imitations of those in Paradise. However, in this world Allah may well present blessings beyond one's imagination. Indeed, Allah informs us that Paradise's blessings are similar to those in this world:

Give the good news to those who believe and do right actions that they will have gardens [in Paradise] with rivers flowing under them. When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say: "This is what we were given before." But they were only given a simulation of it. They will have there spouses of perfect purity and will remain there timelessly, forever. (Surat al-Baqara: 25)

The Golden Age will be the time when Allah will grant the most glorious beauties and blessings to people. To form an accurate image of this period, look at the verses that depict Paradise.

In the Golden Age, a superior elegance and subtlety will dominate home decoration as in all domains of art. High columns and arches, couches, and the use of marble are only a few of these refinements. Allah has promised male and female believers gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, forever, and fine dwellings in the Gardens of Eden. And Allah's good pleasure is even greater. That is the great victory. (Surat at-Tawba: 72) Using adorned and carved columns reflects a superior taste of decoration. And gold ornaments. All that is merely the trappings of the life of the world. But the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who are righteous. (Surat az-Zukhruf: 35) The believers' longing for Paradise urges them to transform their surroundings into Paradise-like places. Paradise, no doubt, abounds with works of art that are beyond our imagination. It is a place of images and beauties that are so perfect that they are unlikely to be attained in this world. Still, the Qur'anic outlook calls for using Earth's available resources to turn this world into an image of Paradise.

In the Golden Age, decorations will convey a superior understanding of aesthetics. Be it a mansion, a garden, or a city, any place will carry the features of Paradise. We place in it gardens of dates and grapes, and cause springs to gush out in it, so they may eat its fruits—they did not do it themselves. So will they not be thankful? (Surah Ya Sin: 34-35)