❖ Reality of Yajuj and Majuj and the Islamic Position Regarding Their Existence ❖
Who are Yajuj and Majuj? Do they exist in the present era? Is there any difference of opinion among scholars on this matter? Some people claim that such a creation does not exist— is this claim correct?
✔ Yajuj and Majuj are a real creation that already exists. Their mention is found in Surah Al-Kahf in the Qur’an:
“قَالُوۡا يٰذَا الۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ اِنَّ يَاۡجُوۡجَ وَمَاۡجُوۡجَ مُفۡسِدُوۡنَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَهَلۡ نَجۡعَلُ لَكَ خَرۡجًا عَلٰٓى اَنۡ تَجۡعَلَ بَيۡنَـنَا وَبَيۡنَهُمۡ سَدًّا”
[Surah Al-Kahf: 94]
“They said: O Dhul-Qarnayn! Indeed, Yajuj and Majuj are spreading corruption in the land, so may we offer you a payment in return for building a barrier between us and them?”
In ancient times, this nation was mischievous, wicked, and extremely powerful. Nothing could control their strength and tyranny—until a king named Dhul-Qarnayn appeared. The people came to him with a request to protect them from the evil of Yajuj and Majuj by constructing a strong wall between them and this corrupt nation.
Dhul-Qarnayn built a formidable barrier between two mountains using iron and molten copper. Through this, Yajuj and Majuj were confined behind it.
✔ This wall still exists today, and Yajuj and Majuj remain behind it.
The exact location of this wall has not been discovered to this day, but close to the Day of Judgment, this wall will collapse, and Yajuj and Majuj will emerge to wreak havoc upon the world.
There are several clear evidences regarding the emergence of Yajuj and Majuj near the end times.
Hudhayfah ibn Asid Al-Ghifari (رضي الله عنه) narrates that they were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) discussing the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“لَنْ تَكُونَ أَوْ لَنْ تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ قَبْلَهَا عَشْرُ آيَاتٍ... وَخُرُوجُ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ...”
[Sunan Abi Dawud: 4311]
“The Hour will not be established until ten signs appear before it: the rising of the sun from the west, the emergence of the beast (Dabbah), the emergence of Yajuj and Majuj, the appearance of the Dajjal, the descent of ‘Isa ibn Maryam, the smoke, and three land sinkings—one in the East, one in the West, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. Finally, a fire will emerge from the depths of Aden in Yemen and drive the people to the place of gathering (Mahshar).”
✔ All schools of thought within Ahl al-Sunnah unanimously agree that Yajuj and Majuj are a real creation and descendents of Adam (ابن آدم).
They will possess an extraordinary tendency for mischief and destruction. Before the Day of Judgment, they will spread extreme corruption across the earth.
Allah will inform Prophet ‘Isa (عليه السلام) through revelation that he and his companions cannot confront them, and thus they should take refuge in the mountains. Then, Allah will bring about their destruction.
“حَتّٰٓى اِذَا فُتِحَتۡ يَاۡجُوۡجُ وَمَاۡجُوۡجُ وَهُمۡ مِّنۡ كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَّنۡسِلُوۡنَ”
[Surah Al-Anbiya: 96]
“Until when Yajuj and Majuj are released and they come rushing from every elevation.”
① Yajuj and Majuj are a real and existing nation.
② They have been confined behind a barrier constructed by Dhul-Qarnayn.
③ Their emergence is among the major signs of the Hour.
④ They are from the offspring of Adam.
⑤ Their evil will cause widespread destruction on earth before the end of time.
⑥ Scholars unanimously agree upon their existence and their role in the events of the end times.
❀ Question:
Who are Yajuj and Majuj? Do they exist in the present era? Is there any difference of opinion among scholars on this matter? Some people claim that such a creation does not exist— is this claim correct?
❀ Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir (حفظه الله)
✔ Yajuj and Majuj are a real creation that already exists. Their mention is found in Surah Al-Kahf in the Qur’an:
“قَالُوۡا يٰذَا الۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ اِنَّ يَاۡجُوۡجَ وَمَاۡجُوۡجَ مُفۡسِدُوۡنَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَهَلۡ نَجۡعَلُ لَكَ خَرۡجًا عَلٰٓى اَنۡ تَجۡعَلَ بَيۡنَـنَا وَبَيۡنَهُمۡ سَدًّا”
[Surah Al-Kahf: 94]
“They said: O Dhul-Qarnayn! Indeed, Yajuj and Majuj are spreading corruption in the land, so may we offer you a payment in return for building a barrier between us and them?”
❖ Reality of Yajuj and Majuj
In ancient times, this nation was mischievous, wicked, and extremely powerful. Nothing could control their strength and tyranny—until a king named Dhul-Qarnayn appeared. The people came to him with a request to protect them from the evil of Yajuj and Majuj by constructing a strong wall between them and this corrupt nation.
Dhul-Qarnayn built a formidable barrier between two mountains using iron and molten copper. Through this, Yajuj and Majuj were confined behind it.
✔ This wall still exists today, and Yajuj and Majuj remain behind it.
The exact location of this wall has not been discovered to this day, but close to the Day of Judgment, this wall will collapse, and Yajuj and Majuj will emerge to wreak havoc upon the world.
❖ Emergence of Yajuj and Majuj Near the End Times
There are several clear evidences regarding the emergence of Yajuj and Majuj near the end times.
Hudhayfah ibn Asid Al-Ghifari (رضي الله عنه) narrates that they were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) discussing the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“لَنْ تَكُونَ أَوْ لَنْ تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ قَبْلَهَا عَشْرُ آيَاتٍ... وَخُرُوجُ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ...”
[Sunan Abi Dawud: 4311]
“The Hour will not be established until ten signs appear before it: the rising of the sun from the west, the emergence of the beast (Dabbah), the emergence of Yajuj and Majuj, the appearance of the Dajjal, the descent of ‘Isa ibn Maryam, the smoke, and three land sinkings—one in the East, one in the West, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. Finally, a fire will emerge from the depths of Aden in Yemen and drive the people to the place of gathering (Mahshar).”
❖ Consensus of the Scholars
✔ All schools of thought within Ahl al-Sunnah unanimously agree that Yajuj and Majuj are a real creation and descendents of Adam (ابن آدم).
They will possess an extraordinary tendency for mischief and destruction. Before the Day of Judgment, they will spread extreme corruption across the earth.
Allah will inform Prophet ‘Isa (عليه السلام) through revelation that he and his companions cannot confront them, and thus they should take refuge in the mountains. Then, Allah will bring about their destruction.
❖ Mention in the Qur’an
“حَتّٰٓى اِذَا فُتِحَتۡ يَاۡجُوۡجُ وَمَاۡجُوۡجُ وَهُمۡ مِّنۡ كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَّنۡسِلُوۡنَ”
[Surah Al-Anbiya: 96]
“Until when Yajuj and Majuj are released and they come rushing from every elevation.”
Summary Points
① Yajuj and Majuj are a real and existing nation.
② They have been confined behind a barrier constructed by Dhul-Qarnayn.
③ Their emergence is among the major signs of the Hour.
④ They are from the offspring of Adam.
⑤ Their evil will cause widespread destruction on earth before the end of time.
⑥ Scholars unanimously agree upon their existence and their role in the events of the end times.
