Is the Hadith, "Verily, the last of this boy will not reach old age before the Hour is established," authentic, and how can one respond to skeptics who promote this misconception?

Allah Almighty has reserved knowledge of the Hour exclusively for Himself. This agreed-upon Hadith has no relation to the time of its establishment. The explanation for this is as follows:

1. Authenticity of the Isnad (Chain of Narration): The Hadith is authentic, narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim from Anas, with the wording: "A man from the Bedouins came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, when will the Hour come?' He said: '(Woe to you! What have you prepared for it?)' He said: 'I have prepared nothing for it except that I love Allah and His Messenger.' He said: '(Indeed, you will be with whom you love.)' So we said: 'And we too?' He said: '(Yes.)' So we rejoiced greatly that day. Then a young boy, a servant of Al-Mughirah, who was of my age, passed by. The Prophet said: '(If this one is spared, old age will not overtake him before the Hour comes.)'"

2. Clarification of the Meaning of "the Hour": The meaning of "the Hour" in this Hadith refers to the demise of that generation and their complete death, not the establishment of the Greater Hour. This has been interpreted through two narrations: The first: Narrated by Al-Tahawi from Anas: "...He said: '(At the head of a hundred years, no one who is alive on the surface of the earth today will remain.)'" The second: Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi from Anas, who said the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "(Indeed, this one will live until he completes his lifespan; no blinking eye will remain among you.)"

3. Aisha's Explanatory Hadith: A Hadith was reported from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, with the same meaning, clarifying that "the Hour" refers to the death of those who were present at that time. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from her: "Some Bedouin men were rough, and they would come to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and ask him: 'When will the Hour come?' So he would look at the youngest among them and say: '(If this one lives, old age will not overtake him before your hour comes upon you.)' Hisham bin Urwah said: 'Meaning their death.'" Based on these narrations, scholars have interpreted that "the Hour" mentioned in the Hadith refers to the end of that generation or their death.

In summary: The meaning of "the Hour" in this Hadith refers to the demise of that generation and their complete death, not the establishment of the Greater Hour.