The very first fundamental point is that every human being will be resurrected after death and will be presented before Allah Almighty. This belief is not just a theoretical matter but a definitive ruling of the Holy Quran.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿زَعَمَ الَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوا أَن لَّن یُبْعَثُوا قُلْ بَلَی وَرَبِّیْ لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ وَذَلِکَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ یَسِیْرٌ﴾
Translation:
“The disbelievers think that they will never be resurrected. Say, ‘Why not? By Allah, you will surely be resurrected. Then you will be informed of what you did, and that is easy for Allah.’”
This verse seals the reality that the assumption of the deniers is false, and on the Day of Judgment, every deed will be accounted for and reported.
The Nearness of the Day of Judgment: That Day is Very Near
The second important point is that the day on which one has to stand before Allah is very near, although people consider it far away.
Allah Almighty’s command is:
﴿تَعْرُجُ الْمَلَائِکَۃُ وَالرُّوحُ إِلَیْْہِ فِیْ یَوْمٍ کَانَ مِقْدَارُہُ خَمْسِیْنَ أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ فَاصْبِرْ صَبْرًا جَمِیْلاً إِنَّہُمْ یَرَوْنَہُ بَعِیْدًا وَنَرَاہُ قَرِیْبًا﴾
Translation:
“Towards whom the angels and the Spirit ascend in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. So be patient with gracious patience. Indeed, they see it as distant, but We see it as near.”
The mention of the terror of the Day of Judgment and its long duration shakes a person, indicating that this day is not easy, and what they consider distant is near to Allah.
The same concept was explained by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in a very eloquent manner:
Narrated Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( بُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَۃُ کَہَاتَیْنِ وَضَمَّ السَّبَّابَۃَ وَالْوُسْطیٰ ))
Translation:
“The Hour and I have been sent like these two fingers.” (You ﷺ joined the index finger and the middle finger to indicate)
One meaning of this hadith is also explained that you ﷺ are the last Prophet; after you ﷺ no Prophet will come, rather after you is the Hour itself, just as after the index finger comes the middle finger and there is no third finger between them.
When Will the Day of Judgment Come? This Knowledge Belongs Only to Allah
Some people repeatedly ask about the time of the Day of Judgment, but the decision of the Quran and Sunnah is that this knowledge belongs to no one except Allah.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿یَسْأَلُونَکَ عَنِ السَّاعَۃِ أَیَّانَ مُرْسَاہَا قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُہَا عِندَ رَبِّیْ لاَ یُجَلِّیْہَا لِوَقْتِہَا إِلاَّ ہُوَ ثَقُلَتْ فِیْ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ لاَ تَأْتِیْکُمْ إِلاَّ بَغْتَۃً یَسْأَلُونَکَ کَأَنَّکَ حَفِیٌّ عَنْہَا قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُہَا عِندَ اللّٰہِ وَلَکِنَّ أَکْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ یَعْلَمُونَ﴾
Translation:
“They ask you about the Hour: when will it be established? Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will come upon you suddenly.’ They ask you as if you are well informed about it. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.’”
The same subject is stated elsewhere as follows:
﴿یَسْأَلُونَکَ عَنِ السَّاعَۃِ أَیَّانَ مُرْسَاہَا فِیْمَ أَنتَ مِن ذِکْرَاہَا إِلَی رَبِّکَ مُنتَہَاہَا إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرُ مَن یَخْشَاہَا کَأَنَّہُمْ یَوْمَ یَرَوْنَہَا لَمْ یَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا عَشِیَّۃً أَوْ ضُحَاہَا﴾
Translation:
“They ask you about the Hour: when will it be established? Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly.’ They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know.’”
And in the Hadith of Jibril, the Prophet ﷺ gave a clear answer about the time of the Hour:
(( مَا الْمَسْؤُوْلُ عَنْہَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنَ السَّائِلِ ))
Translation:
“The one being asked does not know more than the questioner.”
Meaning, the exact time of the Hour was not given to the Prophet ﷺ nor to the angels; this knowledge is kept with Allah alone.
Signs of the Hour — Minor and Major Signs, and Explanation of the Hadith of Jibril
The knowledge of the establishment of the Day of Judgment is only with Allah Almighty, but the requirement of the Prophetic mercy ﷺ was to awaken the Ummah from negligence and to direct them towards repentance and reformation by describing numerous signs of the Day of Judgment. The purpose of describing these signs is not merely for a person to gather information, but the aim is that before the sudden hour arrives, one returns to their Lord, concerns themselves with faith and deeds, and prepares for the Hereafter.
Division of the Signs of the Day of Judgment: Minor and Major
Scholars have divided the signs of the Day of Judgment into two parts:
① Minor Signs (Small Signs)
These are the signs that appear before the major signs and generally increase gradually over time. For example:
❀ The rise of knowledge
❀ The spread of ignorance and ignorant people reaching high positions
❀ The widespread use of musical instruments
❀ Public and frequent drinking of alcohol
❀ Building tall buildings
❀ Exaggeration in the decoration of mosques
❀ Children ruling
❀ The last people of the Ummah cursing the earlier people
❀ The prevalence of killing and destruction, etc.
② Major Signs
These are the signs that will appear one after another shortly before the Day of Judgment. For example:
❀ The coming of the Dajjal
❀ The appearance of Imam Mahdi
❀ The descent of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and killing the Dajjal
❀ The emergence of Gog and Magog
❀ The appearance of the Beast of the Earth (a specific creature)
❀ The sun rising from the west, etc.
Hadith of Jibril: Signs of the Day of Judgment
In the Hadith of Jibril, when Angel Jibril (peace be upon him) asked about the time of the Day of Judgment, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
(( مَا الْمَسْؤُوْلُ عَنْہَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنَ السَّائِلِ ))
Translation:
“The one about whom the question is being asked does not know more than the questioner.”
Then when Hazrat Jibril (AS) asked: “Tell me about its signs,” the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(( أَنْ تَلِدَ الْأمَۃُ رَبَّتَہَا،وَأَنْ تَرَی الْحُفَاۃَ الْعُرَاۃَ الْعَالَۃَ رِعَائَ الشَّائِ یَتَطَاوَلُوْنَ فِی الْبُنْیَانِ ))
Translation:
“That a slave girl will give birth to her mistress. And you will see barefoot, naked-bodied, poor people and shepherds of goats competing with each other in construction.”
In one narration it is:
(( إِذَا وَلَدَتِ الْأمَۃُ رَبَّہَا فَذَاکَ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِہَا،وَإِذَا کَانَتِ الْعُرَاۃُ الْحُفَاۃُ رُؤُسَ النَّاسِ فَذَاکَ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِہَا ))
Translation:
“When a slave girl gives birth to her master, it will be one of the signs of the Hour. And when the leaders become those who are naked-bodied and barefoot, that will also be one of its signs.”
“A slave girl will give birth to her master/mistress” — Various interpretations
Scholars have presented several explanations regarding this phrase, among which are the following:
➊ The statement of Waki’ (may Allah have mercy on him):
A slave girl giving birth to her mistress or her master means that she gives birth to non-Arab Arabs.
➋ One opinion is that:
The owners of slave girls will sell their slave girls, then it is possible that their own children buy them without knowing that these are their mothers. Thus, the children will become their masters, as if they have given birth to their masters.
➌ Another opinion is that this refers to disobedience to parents:
That is, a son will treat his mother in the same way a master treats his slave girl.
➍ Regarding the present era, it has also been stated that:
Some disbelievers obtain test-tube babies through their maids; this is the true meaning of (تلد الأمۃ ربتہا).
➎ One explanation given is:
A Muslim woman will be imprisoned while pregnant or imprisoned along with her child, then the mother and son will be separated, and then that child, when grown up, will unknowingly marry his own mother (as happened in Andalusia).
This is also said to be in accordance with the saying of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
(( إِذَا وَلَدَتِ الْأمَۃُ بَعْلَہَا ))
Translation:
“When a slave woman gives birth to her master.”
More Signs of the Day of Judgment — The emergence of trials, killing and destruction, the disappearance of knowledge, and the sun rising from the west
Among the minor signs of the Day of Judgment, many signs have been detailed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ so that the Ummah, upon seeing these conditions, does not fall into heedlessness but rather thinks about repentance, reform, and returning to Allah. Among these signs, the spread of trials, the prevalence of killing and destruction, the disappearance of knowledge, and the excessive love of the world are particularly noteworthy.
Mention of major trials and widespread corruption before the Day of Judgment
Narrated Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( لَا تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَۃُ حَتّٰی تَقْتَتِلَ فِئَتَانِ عَظِیْمَتَانِ تَکُونُ بَیْنَہُمَا مَقْتَلَۃٌ عَظِیْمَۃٌ دَعْوَتُہُمَا وَاحِدَۃٌ،وَحَتّٰی یُبْعَثَ دَجَّالُونَ کَذَّابُونَ قَرِیْبٌ مِنْ ثَلَاثِیْنَ کُلُّہُمْ یَزْعَمُ أَنَّہُ رَسُولُ اللّٰہِ،وَحَتّٰی یُقْبَضَ الْعِلْمُ،وَتَکْثُرَ الزَّلَازِلُ،وَیَتَقَارَبَ الزَّمَانُ،وَتَظْہَرَ الْفِتَنُ،وَیَکْثُرَ الْہَرَجُ وَہُوَ الْقَتْلُ،وَحَتّٰی یَکْثُرَ فِیْکُمُ الْمَالُ فَیَفِیْضَ حَتّٰی یُہِمَّ رَبَّ الْمَالِ مَنْ یَّقْبَلُ صَدَقَتَہُ وَحَتّٰی یَعْرِضَہُ فَیَقُولُ الَّذِیْ یَعْرِضُہُ عَلَیْہِ:لاَ أَرَبَ لِیْ بِہٖ،وَحَتَّی یَتَطَاوَلَ النَّاسُ فِی الْبُنْیَانِ،وَحَتّٰی یَمُرَّ الرَّجُلُ بِقَبْرِ الرَّجُلِ فَیَقُولُ:یَا لَیْتَنِی مَکَانَہُ،وَحَتّٰی تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَّغْرِبِہَا… ))
Translation:
“The Hour will not be established until two large groups fight each other and there will be a great battle between them, although both will claim the same cause, and until about thirty false Messiahs (Dajjals) appear, each claiming to be the Messenger of Allah, and until knowledge is taken away, earthquakes become frequent, the time draws near, trials become apparent, mass killings occur, wealth becomes abundant to the extent that the wealthy will search for someone to give charity to but none will accept it, people will compete in building tall structures, and a man will pass by the grave of another and say: ‘I wish I were in his place,’ and until the sun rises from the west…”
Then the Prophet ﷺ said that when the sun rises from the west and people see it, everyone will believe, but at that time faith will not benefit.
No benefit of faith when the sun rises from the west
Allah Almighty says:
﴿لاَ یَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِیْمَانُہَا لَمْ تَکُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَوْ کَسَبَتْ فِیْ إِیْمَانِہَا خَیْرًا﴾
Translation:
“At that time, the faith of a person who did not believe before or did not do any good deed in his faith will not benefit him.”
Sudden arrival of the Day of Judgment
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the Day of Judgment will come so suddenly that people will be busy with their daily tasks but will not get the time to complete them:
(( قِیَامَۃُ السَّاعَۃِ… ))
“Two men will be trading with a cloth spread out, but neither the deal will be completed nor the cloth will be wrapped… A man will have milked a camel but will not be able to drink it… A man will have raised a morsel to his mouth but will not be able to eat it.”
Fire emerging from the land of Hijaz
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( لَا تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَۃُ حَتّٰی تَخْرُجَ نَارٌ مِنْ أَرْضِ الْحِجَازِ تُضِیْئُ أَعْنَاقَ الْإِبِلِ بِبُصْرٰی ))
Translation:
“The Day of Judgment will not be established until a fire emerges from the land of Hijaz that will illuminate the necks of camels in Basra (a city in Syria).”
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned in the explanation of this hadith that this fire appeared in 654 AH to the east of Madinah Munawwarah and was seen from Makkah Mukarramah and Basra.
Death of Scholars and the Removal of Knowledge
Narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَنْزِعُ الْعِلْمَ… ))
Translation:
“Allah will not take away knowledge all at once, but will take away the scholars along with their knowledge, until when no scholar remains, people will take ignorant ones as their leaders. They will issue fatwas without knowledge, they themselves will be misguided and will misguide others.”
This sign can be prominently seen in today’s era that scholars who possess the knowledge of the Book and Sunnah are becoming fewer, and ignorant people are occupying positions of guidance in the name of religion.
The End of Trustworthiness, Immorality and Alcohol Consumption, Increase in Women, and Following Jews and Christians
Among the minor signs of the Day of Judgment, some are very serious and thought-provoking signs that directly affect human morals, society, and religious values. These include the disappearance of trustworthiness, the prevalence of immorality and alcohol consumption, the increase in the number of women, and Muslims adopting the ways of Jews and Christians.
The End of Trustworthiness
Hazrat Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ told us two hadiths, one of which has already occurred and I am waiting for the occurrence of the other. He ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ الْأَمَانَۃَ نَزَلَتْ فِی جَذْرِ قُلُوبِ الرِّجَالِ، ثُمَّ نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ، فَعَلِمُوا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَعَلِمُوا مِنَ السُّنَّۃِ ))
Translation:
“Trustworthiness was placed deep in the hearts of people, then the Quran was revealed, and people learned from the Quran as well as from the Sunnah.”
Then the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the loss of trustworthiness and said:
“When a person sleeps, the trustworthiness is taken out of his heart, and a mark remains lightly like a stain. Then he sleeps again, and the remaining trustworthiness is taken out, until his mark remains like a blister… Then people will trade among themselves, but no one will be trustworthy… Until it is said that there is a trustworthy person in such and such tribe, and about a person it will be said that he is very wise and strong, while there is not even a mustard seed’s worth of faith in his heart.”
Hazrat Hudhaifa (RA) said that there was a time when he would deal with everyone without fear, but today only a few selected individuals can be dealt with.
The prevalence of immorality and drinking alcohol
Hazrat Anas (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِ السَّاعَۃِ أَنْ یَّقِلَّ الْعِلْمُ، وَیَظْهَرَ الْجَهْلُ، وَیَظْهَرَ الزِّنَا، وَیُشْرَبَ الْخَمْرُ، وَتَكْثُرَ النِّسَاءُ، وَیَقِلَّ الرِّجَالُ ))
Translation:
“Among the signs of the Day of Judgment is that knowledge will decrease, ignorance will become apparent, adultery will become common, alcohol will be consumed, women will increase and men will decrease, to the extent that one guardian will be responsible for fifty women.”
Increase in Women
Narrated by Hazrat Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(( لَیَأْتِیَنَّ عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ … وَیُرَى الرَّجُلُ الْوَاحِدُ یَتْبَعُهُ أَرْبَعُونَ امْرَأَةً ))
Translation:
“A time will come upon the people when a man will carry gold as charity but there will be no one to accept it, and due to the abundance of women and scarcity of men, forty women will be under the authority of one man.”
This situation will occur because men will be killed in wars and women will become widows.
Following the Jews and Christians
Narrated by Hazrat Abu Sa’id Khudri (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(( لَتَتَّبِعُنَّ سَنَنَ مَنْ قَبْلَكُمْ شِبْرًا بِشِبْرٍ وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ… ))
Translation:
“You will surely follow the ways of those nations who were before you, hand span by hand span, and step by step, even if they enter into a lizard’s hole, you will enter it too.”
The Companions asked: Is it the Jews and Christians?
You ﷺ said: “Then who else?”
This is the reality to which later scholars also pointed, that imitation of non-Muslim cultures will become common among Muslims.
Not Acting Upon Knowledge
Hazrat Ziyad bin Labid رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“This will happen when knowledge is taken away.”
I asked: How will knowledge be taken away while we read and teach the Quran?
You ﷺ said:
“The Jews and Christians read the Torah and the Gospel but do not act upon them.”
Hazrat Ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه says:
“Memorizing the Quran letter by letter is not called preservation, rather acting upon its limits is called preservation.”
The Disappearance of Islam, the Removal of the Quran, and the Major Signs (Dajjal, Imam Mahdi, Descent of Jesus عليه السلام)
A very distressing phase near the Day of Judgment will be when the practical form of Islam gradually disappears from the earth, the Quran will be taken away, and people will remain Muslims in name only. After this, the major and decisive signs of the Day of Judgment will appear, which are called the Great Signs.
The Disappearance of Islam and the Taking Away of the Quran
It is narrated from Hazrat Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( یَدْرُسُ الْإِسْلَامُ كَمَا یَدْرُسُ وَشْیُ الثَّوْبِ، حَتّٰی لَا یُدْرٰی مَا صَلَاةٌ وَلَا صِیَامٌ وَلَا نُسُكٌ وَلَا صَدَقَةٌ، وَلَیُسْرَى عَلَى كِتَابِ اللّٰهِ فِی لَیْلَةٍ فَلَا یَبْقٰى فِی الْأَرْضِ مِنْهُ آیَةٌ… ))
Translation:
“Islam will disappear just like the pattern on a cloth fades away, to the extent that it will not even be known what prayer is, what fasting is, what sacrifice is, and what charity is. And a night will come when the Book of Allah (Quran) will be taken away, so that not a single verse of it remains on the earth.”
The hadith further states that at that time old people will say:
“We heard our forefathers say لَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ, and we say the same.”
Hazrat Sila (may Allah have mercy on him) asked:
“When they do not know prayer, fasting, and charity, then what benefit will the mere Kalima give them?”
Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) said three times:
“This Kalima will save them from Hell.”
Major Signs
01. The Appearance of the Dajjal
Among the major signs, the most dangerous trial is the Dajjal, about whom the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned his Ummah severely.
It is narrated from Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( اَلدَّجَّالُ أَعْوَرُ الْعَیْنِ الْیُسْرَى، جُفَالُ الشَّعَرِ، مَعَهُ جَنَّةٌ وَنَارٌ، فَنَارُهُ جَنَّةٌ وَجَنَّتُهُ نَارٌ ))
Translation:
“The Dajjal will have a blind left eye, his hair will be thick, and with him will be Paradise and Hell, but his Hell will actually be Paradise and his Paradise will actually be Hell.”
In another hadith, it is said:
(( مَا بَیْنَ خَلْقِ آدَمَ إِلَى قِیَامِ السَّاعَةِ خَلْقٌ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الدَّجَّالِ ))
Translation:
“From Adam (peace be upon him) until the Day of Judgment, there will be no greater trial than the Dajjal.”
The Dajjal will go to all cities except Makkah and Madinah:
(( لَیْسَ مِنْ بَلَدٍ إِلَّا سَیَطَؤُهُ الدَّجَّالُ إِلَّا مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِینَةَ ))
Translation:
“The Dajjal will enter every city except Makkah and Madinah.”
To protect from the trial of the Dajjal, the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( مَنْ حَفِظَ عَشْرَ آیَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ عُصِمَ مِنَ الدَّجَّالِ ))
Translation:
“Whoever memorizes the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the trial of the Dajjal.”
02. The Appearance of Imam Mahdi
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
(( لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتّٰى یَمْلِكَ الْعَرَبَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَیْتِی یُوَاطِئُ اسْمُهُ اسْمِی ))
Translation:
“The Hour will not be established until a man from my family rules over the Arabs, whose name will be like my name.”
In another narration, it is stated that he will fill the earth with justice and fairness as it will have been filled with oppression and tyranny.
03. The Descent of Hazrat Isa (AS)
The unanimous belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah is that Hazrat Isa (AS) was taken up alive to the heavens and will descend again near the Day of Judgment.
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
(( وَاللّٰهِ لَیَنْزِلَنَّ ابْنُ مَرْیَمَ حَكَمًا عَدْلًا، فَلَیَكْسِرَنَّ الصَّلِیبَ، وَلَیَقْتُلَنَّ الْخِنْزِیرَ، وَلَیَضَعَنَّ الْجِزْیَةَ… ))
Translation:
“By Allah, the son of Mary will surely descend; he will be a just ruler, break the cross, kill the pig, abolish the jizya, and wealth will be so abundant that no one will accept it.”
And He said:
(( كَیْفَ أَنْتُمْ إِذَا نَزَلَ فِیكُمُ ابْنُ مَرْیَمَ وَإِمَامُكُمْ مِنْكُمْ ))
Translation:
“What will be your condition when the son of Mary descends among you and your leader is from among you?”
Gog and Magog, the Beast of the Earth, the rising of the sun from the west, and upon whom the Day of Judgment will be established
Among the major signs of the Day of Judgment, there are some signs which, once they appear, will close the doors of repentance and the system of the world will rapidly move towards its end. These signs include the emergence of Gog and Magog, the appearance of the Beast of the Earth (Dabbat al-Ard), and the rising of the sun from the west.
04. The emergence of Gog and Magog
The emergence of Gog and Magog is one of the most terrifying signs of the Day of Judgment. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
﴿حَتّٰی إِذَا فُتِحَتْ یَأْجُوْجُ وَمَأْجُوْجُ وَہُمْ مِّنْ کُلِّ حَدَبٍ یَّنْسِلُوْنَ﴾
Translation:
“Until when Gog and Magog are let loose and they swiftly run from every high place.”
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Yajuj and Majuj dig every day (in the wall), until when the sun’s rays are about to be seen, their chief says: Return, dig tomorrow. Then Allah Almighty restores the wall to its original state. Until when Allah Almighty intends for them to emerge, they say: We will dig tomorrow اِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہُ, and the next day they find the wall in the same condition, and thus they come out, drink water, and spread corruption on the earth. Then Allah Almighty will create a worm in their necks that will kill them all.”
In the hadith of Hazrat Nawas bin Sam’an (RA), it is clear that the emergence of Yajuj and Majuj will be during the time of Hazrat Isa (AS).
05. The Emergence of Dabbat al-Ard (The Beast of the Earth)
One of the major signs of the Day of Judgment is the appearance of a specific beast from the earth.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَإِذَا وَقَعَ الْقَوْلُ عَلَیْہِمْ أَخْرَجْنَا لَہُمْ دَآبَّۃً مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ تُکَلِّمُہُمْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ کَانُوْا بِآیَاتِنَا لاَ یُوْقِنُوْنَ﴾
Translation:
“And when the punishment is fulfilled upon them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth that will speak to them because the people did not believe in Our signs.”
Hazrat Ibn Umar and Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with them) narrate that this creature will emerge from Jabal Safa in Makkah, it will illuminate the face of the believer and darken the face of the disbeliever, and it will distinguish between them.
06. The Sun Rising from the West
This is the sign after which repentance will not be accepted.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( ثَلَاثٌ إِذَا خَرَجْنَ لَا یَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِیْمَانُہَا… طُلُوْعُ الشَّمْسِ مِنْ مَّغْرِبِہَا، وَالدَّجَّالُ، وَدَابَّۃُ الْأَرْضِ ))
Translation:
“When three things appear, then a person’s faith will not benefit him if he had not believed before: the sun rising from the west, the Dajjal, and the beast of the earth.”
Similarly, mentioning the closing of the doors of repentance, he said:
(( إِنَّ بِالْمَغْرِبِ بَابًا مَفْتُوحًا لِلتَّوْبَۃِ… لَا یُغْلَقُ حَتّٰی تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ نَحْوِہٖ ))
Translation:
“A door of repentance towards the West is open and will not be closed until the sun rises from the West.”
On whom will the Day of Judgment be established?
Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(( لَا تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَۃُ حَتّٰی لَا یُقَالَ فِی الْأَرْضِ: اللّٰہُ اللّٰہُ ))
Translation:
“The Day of Judgment will not be established until there remains no one on earth who says ‘Allah, Allah’.”
Meaning, Allah will take the souls of the believers, and only the worst people will remain.
Narrated Nawwas bin Sam’an (RA):
(( وَیَبْقٰی شِرَارُ النَّاسِ… فَعَلَیْہِمْ تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَۃُ ))
Translation:
“Only the worst people will remain, who will openly commit immorality like vultures; upon them the Day of Judgment will be established.”
The blowing of the trumpet, the end of the universe, resurrection, and the terrifying scenes of the Day of Judgment
Now we describe the stage when the Day of Judgment will actually commence, the system of the universe will be disrupted, the trumpet will be blown, all creatures will lose consciousness, and then will be revived again. These are the scenes that the Quran and Hadith have described very clearly so that humans can prepare for that day.
The Blowing of the Trumpet and the Unconsciousness of the Universe
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَنُفِخَ فِی الصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَنْ فِی السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِی الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہُ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِیہِ أُخْرَى فَإِذَا ہُمْ قِیَامٌ یَّنْظُرُونَ﴾
Translation:
“And the trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall unconscious except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown a second time, and behold, they will be standing, looking on.”
From (إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہُ), it is understood that some beings will be exempt from losing consciousness, but who they will be is known only to Allah Almighty.
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that there was a dispute between a Muslim and a Jew. The Muslim said: By the One Who has honored Muhammad ﷺ above all the worlds, and the Jew said: By the One Who has honored Musa (Moses) عليه السلام above all the worlds. When the matter reached the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he ﷺ said:
(( لَا تُخَیِّرُونِی عَلَى مُوسَى، فَإِنَّ النَّاسَ یُصْعَقُونَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ فَأَكُونُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ یُفِیقُ، فَإِذَا مُوسَى بَاطِشٌ بِجَانِبِ الْعَرْشِ، فَلَا أَدْرِی أَكَانَ مِمَّنْ صَعِقَ فَأَفَاقَ قَبْلِی أَمْ كَانَ مِمَّنِ اسْتَثْنَى اللّٰہُ ))
Translation:
“Do not prefer me over Musa عليه السلام, because on the Day of Resurrection, everyone will lose consciousness, and I will be the first to regain consciousness, then I will see Musa عليه السلام holding the edge of the Throne. I do not know whether he lost consciousness first and then regained it before me, or if he was among those whom Allah exempted from losing consciousness.”
The Earth, Mountains, and Sky Crumbling
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِی الصُّورِ نَفْخَةٌ وَّاحِدَةٌ وَحُمِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ وَالْجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةً وَّاحِدَةٌ فَیَوْمَئِذٍ وَّقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَةُ وَانشَقَّتِ السَّمَاءُ فَهِیَ یَوْمَئِذٍ وَّاهِیَةٌ وَالْمَلَكُ عَلَى أَرْجَائِهَا وَیَحْمِلُ عَرْشَ رَبِّكَ فَوْقَهُمْ یَوْمَئِذٍ ثَمَانِیَةٌ﴾
Translation:
“When the trumpet is blown with one blast, and the earth and the mountains are lifted and crushed with one blow, then that Day will come to pass. The sky will split apart, and it will be weak on that Day, and the angels will be at its edges, and on that Day, the Throne of your Lord will be carried by eight angels.”
The Trumpet Will Be Blown Twice
Narrated Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(( مَا بَیْنَ النَّفْخَتَیْنِ أَرْبَعُونَ ))
Translation:
“There will be a gap of forty between the two trumpet blasts.”
When the companions asked: Forty days? Forty months? Or forty years? Abu Huraira (RA) replied each time: “I deny it,” meaning he did not specify the exact duration.
In the same hadith, it is also mentioned that Allah will send down water from the sky, from which people will grow out of their graves like grass grows, and only the end of the spinal cord will remain in the human body, from which recreation will take place again.
Severe Earthquake Before the Day of Judgment
Allah Almighty says:
﴿یَا أَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّ زَلْزَلَةَ السَّاعَةِ شَیْءٌ عَظِیمٌ یَوْمَ تَرَوْنَهَا تَذْهَلُ كُلُّ مُرْضِعَةٍ عَمَّا أَرْضَعَتْ وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَهَا وَتَرَى النَّاسَ سُكَارَى وَمَا هُمْ بِسُكَارَى وَلَٰكِنَّ عَذَابَ اللّٰهِ شَدِیدٌ﴾
Translation:
“O people! Fear your Lord, indeed the earthquake of the Hour is a terrible thing. The day you see it, every nursing mother will forget her child, every pregnant woman will miscarry, and you will see people in a daze, though they will not be in a daze; but the punishment of Allah will be severe.”
The Second Blowing of the Trumpet and Rising from Graves
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَنُفِخَ فِی الصُّورِ فَإِذَا ہُمْ مِّنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ إِلٰی رَبِّهِمْ یَنْسِلُونَ﴾
Translation:
“And the trumpet will be blown, and suddenly all who are in the graves will come out running to their Lord.”
This will be the second blowing of the trumpet after which all the dead will be resurrected.
The disbelievers will say:
﴿قَالُوا یَا وَیْلَنَا مَنْ بَعَثَنَا مِنْ مَّرْقَدِنَا﴾
Translation:
“They will say: Alas for us! Who has raised us from our sleeping places?”
The Earthquake and the Manifestation of Deeds
Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا وَأَخْرَجَتِ الْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا وَقَالَ الْإِنسَانُ مَا لَهَا یَوْمَئِذٍ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا یَوْمَئِذٍ یَصْدُرُ النَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّیُرَوْا أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَمَن یَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَیْرًا یَرَهُ وَمَن یَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا یَرَهُ﴾
Translation:
“When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake, and the earth discharges its burdens, and man says, ‘What is wrong with it?’ – That Day, it will report its news because your Lord has commanded it. That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown their deeds. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
The Eyes of the Oppressors Will Be Petrified
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا یَعْمَلُ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنَّمَا یُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِیَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِیهِ الْأَبْصَارُ مُهْطِعِینَ مُقْنِعِی رُءُوسِهِمْ لَا یَرْتَدُّ إِلَیْهِمْ طَرْفُهُمْ وَأَفْئِدَتُهُمْ هَوَاءٌ﴾
Translation:
“Do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only gives them respite for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror], running about with heads raised, unblinking, and hearts void.”
The Scene of the Day of Judgment in the Light of Surah At-Takwir, Al-Infitar, and Al-Inshiqaq
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever wishes to see the scene of the Day of Judgment with his own eyes, let him recite Surah At-Takwir, Al-Infitar, and Al-Inshiqaq.”
Surah At-Takwir
﴿إِذَا الشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ﴾ — When the sun is wrapped up
﴿وَإِذَا النُّجُومُ انكَدَرَتْ﴾ — When the stars lose their light
﴿وَإِذَا الْجِبَالُ سُیِّرَتْ﴾ — When the mountains are set in motion
﴿عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّا أَحْضَرَتْ﴾ — Every soul will know what it has sent ahead
Surah Al-Infitar
﴿إِذَا السَّمَاءُ انفَطَرَتْ﴾ — When the sky is cleft asunder
﴿وَإِذَا الْقُبُورُ بُعْثِرَتْ﴾ — When the graves are overturned
﴿عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ وَأَخَّرَتْ﴾
“Every soul will know what it has sent forward and what it has left behind.”
Surah Al-Inshiqaq
﴿یَا أَیُّهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِیهِ﴾
“O man! Indeed, you are striving toward your Lord with effort and will meet Him.”
Conclusion
The conclusion is that the wise one is the one who prepares for the coming day. The life of this world is temporary, and the real life is the Hereafter. Whoever meets Allah with faith, piety, and obedience will be successful, and whoever remains heedless will be at a loss. May Allah protect us from the terrors of the Day of Judgment, grant us a good end, and grant us a place in Jannat al-Firdaws. Ameen.
