How sound is the Hadith: "O son of Hawalah, if you see... have descended upon the Holy Land," and does it necessitate the establishment of a Caliphate in the End of Times before gaining control of Jerusalem?
The questioner was advised to focus on the fundamentals of faith and the sciences of worship, instead of giving excessive attention to narrations about apocalyptic battles, especially for those who are not specialists.
The in question was reported by Abu Dawud, and in it the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "When you see the Caliphate descend upon the Holy Land, then earthquakes, tribulations, and great matters have drawn near, and at that time the Hour will be nearer to the people than my hand is to your head." This hadith was authenticated by Al-Hakim and Al-Albani, and weakened by Shu'ayb Al-Arna'ut.
Scholars differed in interpreting the hadith. Al-Khattabi was of the view that it refers to the Umayyad Caliphate in Ash-Sham, while others believed it refers to the Caliphate of the Mahdi who will descend upon Jerusalem, citing the hadith of Abu Sa'id as evidence.
There is no indication in the hadith that the establishment of a caliphate at the end of time is contingent upon the control of Jerusalem.
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