Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: Who are Gog and Magog (Ya'juj wa Ma'juj), and what is the barrier that restrains them, and where is it—there is much disagreement regarding these matters. This commentary cannot accommodate such detail. Those seeking detail should study the Tafsir of Mawlana Azad on Surah al-Kahf, or the book "Qasas al-Qur'an" by Mawlana Hafiz al-Rahman, or consult the Tafsir of Hafiz Abdus Salam Bhutvi (hafizahullah). The purpose of the hadith is to indicate that the beginning of the emergence of tribulations (fitan) is near, because a small hole has appeared in the barrier, through which those people (Gog and Magog) cannot yet come out. However, this is a sign that the appearance of tribulations is imminent. The onset of tribulations began with the martyrdom of Umar (radi Allahu anhu), and it expanded with the martyrdom of Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), and general destruction and calamity will occur when immorality and wickedness become widespread, and a few good people will not be able to do anything against it, so they too will perish along with the rest. Afterwards, everyone will receive reward or punishment according to their deeds. The hole in the barrier is minor, which some have interpreted as being the size of a ring of the number ten, which is large, and others as a ring of the number ninety or one hundred, which is extremely narrow, with no gap in between. The purpose is to express its insignificance and smallness.