Why so many Muslims fixate on the timing of the Last Hour, despite the Prophet’s warning

As-salamu alaykum. It’s worrying how many of us today are preoccupied with guessing when the Last Hour will come. People spend so much time talking and watching clips about signs and dates that they neglect daily life, work, and self-improvement. The Prophet ﷺ taught us very clearly: “If the Hour comes while one of you has a sapling in his hand, let him plant it” (Musnad Ahmad) - meaning we should keep doing good regardless of the time. Instead, some fall into despair and declare the world hopeless. The Prophet ﷺ also warned, “When a man says the people are ruined, he himself is the most ruined among them” (Sahih Muslim). That reminds us not to spread doom and gloom that harms faith and families. My older brother was studying engineering and dropped out in his final year. He spent hours watching reels and videos about Dajjal and the Last Hour and became convinced the world would end in 2025. That belief made him give up on things that mattered. Everywhere online you see people saying “the end is near” or claiming current events match the signs of Qiyamah. Caring about the akhirah is good, but obsessing and predicting exact times becomes unhealthy. Think about how many lives and families have been disrupted because some are sure the world will end tomorrow. Edit: Another hadith to remember (Ibn Majah, Hasan): the Prophet ﷺ warned against excessive speculation: “Whoever speaks much about the Hour has told lies.” He discouraged making precise predictions or spreading rumors beyond what is authentically known. So let’s focus on what benefits our faith and families: pray, seek knowledge, work hard, help others, and trust in Allah’s wisdom. Wa-salamu alaykum.