As reported in the hadith, one of the portents of the End Times and the appearance of the blessed Mahdi is “increased life expectancy” during this holy period. Some of the hadith and accounts regarding this are as follows:
Life expectancy will increase in his [Hazrat Mahdi’s (as)] time. This increased life expectancy also means that he [Mahdi) will be long-lived. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 184)
In his time ... lives will be longer and things entrusted for safekeeping will not be lost... (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 43)
Lives will be longer, and things entrusted will be returned to their place. (Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, Kıyamet alametleri, Olum ve Dirilis [Portents of the Judgment Day, Death and Resurrection], p. 179)
There has been a relative increase in life expectancy in recent times, but none to match the increase observed in the 21st century. Research has revealed that human life expectancy will rise by 50% this century and that there will be many more people living to see their 100th birthdays in the years to come.
Increases in life expectancy according to centuries
1800s: average life expectancy 24 years
1900s: average life expectancy 48 years
2000s: average life expectancy 63 years
The results of research into genetics and gene technology at the end of the 20th and early 21st centuries show that “life expectancies will be prolonged.” For example, a report in National Geographic magazine stated that the formula needed for a longer and healthier life would soon be available in pharmacies. Scientists who say they have identified the gene for long life state that the average life may soon be around 100 years. Another study reports that children born around now will live to be approximately 125 or 150. Many researchers state that “there will be nothing out of the ordinary in people aged 150” and that in the 21st century life expectancies will increased beyond all comparison with the past.
This information imparted by our Prophet (saas) 1400 years or so ago, coming about so clearly and manifestly without doubt represents a very valuable glad tiding for believers. Just like this prediction, the other reports imparted by our Prophet (saas) will also all come true, and mankind will witness many holy phenomena during the 21st century. By the will of Allah, the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to earth, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear, and by means of these holy personages the moral values of Islam will prevail across the entire world. This is something promised in the pages of the Qur’an. In verse 55 of Surat an-Nur, our Lord tells us:
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. (Surat an-Nur, 55)
Is There A Limit to Human Life Expectancy?
Turkish daily Hurriyet, 18 March 2004
According to some scientists, children born today will be able live up the age of 150, and some are of the opinion that there is no limit to human life expectancy. Human life expectancy regularly increases by 2 years every decade. This means that in 2150 the average life expectancy will be 122.5, and people aged 150 will be regarded as quite normal. There are currently some 40,000 people aged over 100 in the USA, although the number was only around 2,300 in the 1950s. James Vaupel, from the Max Planck Demographic Research Institute in Rostock in Germany, suggests that the number of centenarians will double in developed countries every 10 years. (http://webarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/2004/03/18/429832.aspTurkish magazine Tempo, 25 June 2004)
Human life expectancy has almost doubled since the end of the 19th century. It is estimated that human life expectancy will increase still further thanks to advances in genetic medicine. A study by the medical journal Anti-Aging asked 60 experts in the field to estimate the life expectancy of a child born in 2100. The majority of the experts responded “at least 100 year,” while some said that life expectancy could reach 150 or even 200 years.
Is It Possible to Live Longer?
Turkish daily Radikal, 21 April 2002
… The ‘Industrial revolution’ in the late 19th century and scientific advances led to extraordinary progress in the field of medicine in the last century. This has prolonged human life expectancy by 50% … The frontiers of middle age have been put back from 40-50 to 60-70. As we enter the new millennium it has emerged that certain diseases are caused by defects in genes, themselves the secret of life. Biotechnological progress is now at the point of being able to rectify gene defects.(http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=35461)
