Do the events in Syria and elsewhere indicate the approaching of the Hour, and what are the authentic hadiths that point to this and their explanations? Is there a verified book about the Hour and its signs, and what is the believer's duty concerning these tribulations?

Among the signs of the Hour are the emergence of severe tribulations (fitan) and widespread killing. In the Hadith: "Hasten to do good deeds before there are tribulations like sections of a dark night. A man will wake up as a believer and go to sleep as a disbeliever, or go to sleep as a believer and wake up as a disbeliever, selling his religion for a worldly gain." In another Hadith: "Indeed, before the Hour there will be days when knowledge will be lifted and ignorance will descend, and al-harj will increase." And al-harj is killing. In the Hadith of Hudhayfah, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about the Hour, and he said: "Its knowledge is with my Lord; none can reveal its time except Him. However, I will inform you of its signs and what will precede it. Indeed, before it there will be tribulation (fitnah) and al-harj." And al-harj is killing, and people will experience mutual rejection.