End of the world?

Can scientific observations and predictions about global warming be taken as signs of an approaching doomsday? The eminent Muslim scholar and religious leader, Maulana Waheeduddin Khan, thinks that one should not ignore scientists’ words in this regard, according to a report in Hindustan Express (July 5) on Maulana’s article in his journal Al-Risala. The Maulana thinks that religious assumptions about certain happenings before doomsday may be allegorical, except perhaps the prediction about the angel Israfeel blowing or reciting a religious tune or verse (soor phunknein ka amal). The predicted events of Maseeh descending from sky and appearance of the controversial one-eyed Dajjal, may already have occurred, in an allegorical situation, according to the Maulana.