This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Hafiz Mubashir Hussain Lahori's book Signs of the Day of Judgment in the Light of Authentic Ahadith.
Sign of the Day of Judgment: Gog and Magog in the Light of the Holy Quran
Allah Almighty says:
ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا 92 حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ بَيْنَ السَّدَّيْنِ وَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمَا قَوْمًا لَّا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ قَوْلًا 93 قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا 94 قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّي فِيهِ رَبِّي خَيْرٌ فَأَعِينُونِي بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا 95 آتُونِي زُبَرَ الْحَدِيدِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ الصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ انفُخُوا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَعَلَهُ نَارًا قَالَ آتُونِي أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا 96 فَمَا اسْطَاعُوا أَن يَظْهَرُوهُ وَمَا اسْتَطَاعُوا لَهُ نَقْبًا 97 قَالَ هَٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّي ۖ فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي جَعَلَهُ دَكَّاءَ ۖ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي حَقًّا 98 وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِي بَعْضٍ ۖ وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَاهُمْ جَمْعًا
Then he (Dhul-Qarnayn, the king) set out on a journey until, when he reached between two mountains, he found behind them a people who could hardly understand speech. They said: O Dhul-Qarnayn! Indeed, Gog and Magog are great corrupters in this land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier? He said: That in which my Lord has established me is better, so help me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam. Bring me sheets of iron. Until, when he had leveled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said: Blow [with bellows], until when he had made it [like] fire, he said: Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper. So they were not able to pass over it, nor were they able to pierce it. He said: This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes, He will make it level, and the promise of my Lord is true. On that Day We will leave them to surge like waves on one another, and the trumpet will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly.
Reference: Surah Al-Kahf: (92 to 99)
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ 96 وَاقْتَرَبَ الْوَعْدُ الْحَقُّ فَإِذَا هِيَ شَاخِصَةٌ أَبْصَارُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا قَدْ كُنَّا فِي غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ هَٰذَا بَلْ كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ
Until when Gog and Magog are let loose and they swiftly descend from every hill, and the true promise is near. That Day, the disbelievers' eyes will be staring in horror, [saying], "Woe to us; we were heedless of this; rather, we were wrongdoers."
Reference: Surah Al-Anbiya: (96 to 97)
Yajuj Majuj in the Light of Hadiths:
عن زينب بنت جحش رضي الله عنها أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم دخل عليها يوما فزعا يقول لا إله إلا الله ويل للعرب من شر قد اقترب فتح اليوم من ردم يأجوج ومأجوج مثل هذه وحلق باصبعيه : الإبهام والتي تليها قالت زينب بنت جحش فقلت : يا رسول الله أفتهلك وفينا الصالحون ؟ قال : نعم إذا كثر الخبث
Hazrat Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) once entered to her in a state of distress, saying: "Destruction is upon the Arabs because of the evil that is near. Today, the wall of Ya'juj and Ma'juj has been opened so much." The Prophet (peace be upon him) made a circle with his thumb and the adjacent finger. Upon hearing this, Hazrat Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her) asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Will we be destroyed while there are righteous people among us?" He replied: "Yes, when wickedness exceeds its limits."
Reference: Bukhari: Book of Tribulations, Chapter on Ya'juj and Ma'juj (7135) Muslim (2880) Tirmidhi (2187) Ahmad (477/6 - 478) Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir (51/34) Ibn Abi Shaybah (607/8)
عن حذيفة رضى الله عنه قال اطلع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم علينا ونحن نتذاكر فقال : ما تذكرون ؟ قالوا : نذكر الساعة ، قال : إنها لن تقوم حتى ترون قبلها عشر آيات فذكر يا جوج وما جوج
It is narrated from Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) that one day we were discussing the Day of Judgment when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came and asked: "What are you discussing?" The people said: "We are discussing the Day of Judgment." He said: "The Day of Judgment will not occur until you see ten signs," and among them, he mentioned Ya'juj and Ma'juj.
Reference: Muslim: Book of Tribulations: Chapter on the Signs Before the Hour (2901) Abu Dawood (4311) Tirmidhi (2183) Ahmad (10/4 - 15) Sharh al-Sunnah (432/7) Hilyat al-Awliya (355/1)
The Activity of Gog and Magog:
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : إن يأجوج ومأجوج يحفرون السد كل يوم حتى إذا كادوا يرون شعاع الشمس قال الذى عليهم، ارجعوا فستحفرونه غدا فيعودون إليه كأشد ما كان حتى إذا بلغت مدتهم وأراد الله عزوجل أن يبعثهم إلى الناس حفروا حتى إذا كادوا يرون شعاع الشمس قال الذى عليهم : ارجعوا فستحفرونه غدا إن شاء الله ويستثني فيعودون إليه وهو كهيئة حين تركوه فيحفرونه ويخرجون على الناس فينشفون المياه ويتحصن الناس منهم فى حصونهم فيرمون بسهامهم إلى السماء فترجع وعليها كهيئة الدم فيقولون : قهرنا أهل الأرض وعلونا أهل السماء فيبعث الله عليهم نغفا فى أقفائهم فيقتلهم بها قال : فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : والذي نفسي بيده إن دواب الأرض لتسمن شكرا من لحومهم ودمائهم
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Indeed, Gog and Magog dig the wall (built by Dhul-Qarnayn) every day until they can see the sunlight through it. Then their overseer says, "Go back, we will dig tomorrow." By tomorrow, the wall has become stronger than before (and this process continues daily). Until the time of their emergence is fulfilled and Allah intends to release them, then one day they will have dug it completely to the very end. Their overseer will say, "Come on, we will dig the rest tomorrow, Insha'Allah" (if Allah wills, they will not say Insha'Allah before that). When they come the next day, the wall will be just as they left it after digging. Then they will dig through it and come out upon the people. They will drink all the water, and the people will be confined in fortresses. Then Gog and Magog will shoot their arrows towards the sky, which Allah will cause to fall down bloodied. They will say, "We have overcome the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the animals of the earth will become fat and healthy by eating their blood and flesh.
Reference: Ahmad (510/2) Tirmidhi: Book of Tafsir: Surah Al-Kahf (3153) Ibn Majah (4131) Hakim (535/4) As-Silsilah As-Sahihah (313/4)
The Emergence of Gog and Magog:
عن النواس بن سمعان رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : بينما هو كذلك إذ أوحى الله إلى عيسى إني قد أخرجت عبادا لي لا يدان لأحد بقتالهم فحرز عبادي إلى الطور ويبعث الله يأجوج ومأجوج وهم من كل حدب ينسلون
Hazrat Nawas bin Samaan (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: (Long Hadith) (meaning when they have finished dealing with the Dajjal and his army) that I will send out such servants of Mine whom no one can confront, so you take My (Muslim) servants to Mount Tur and Allah Almighty will bring out Gog and Magog who will come running at full speed.
Reference: Muslim: Book of Trials: Chapter on Mention of the Dajjal (2937) Ahmad (248/4) Abu Dawood (4321) Tirmidhi (2240) Ibn Majah (4126) Hakim (537/4) Tabari (95/9)
The Fitnah and Corruption of Gog and Magog:
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : فيحفرونه ويخرجون على الناس فينشفون المياه ويتحصن الناس منهم فى حصونهم فيرمون بسهامهم إلى السماء فترجع وعليها كهيئة الدم فيقولون : قهرنا أهل الأرض وعلونا أهل السماء
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Then they will break through the wall and come out upon the people, drinking all the water. When the people are besieged, they (Gog and Magog) will shoot their arrows towards the sky, which Allah will cause to fall down stained with blood. They will say, "We have overcome those in the heavens just as we have overcome those on the earth."
Reference: Ahmad (510/2) Tirmidhi: Book of Tafsir: Surah Al-Kahf (3153) Ibn Majah (4131) Hakim (535/4) As-Silsilah As-Sahihah (313/4)
عن النواس بن سمعان رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : فيبعث الله يأجوج وماجوج وهم من كل حدب ينسلون فيمر أولهم على بحيرة طبرية فيشربون ما فيها ويمر آخرهم فيقولون : لقد كان بهذه مرة ماء ، ويحصر نبي الله عيسى وأصحابه حتى يكون رأس الثور لأحدهم خيرا من مائة دينار لأحدكم اليوم
It is narrated from Hazrat Nawas ibn Sam'an (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Then Allah will release Gog and Magog, and they will come running from every hill. Their front ranks will pass through the Sea of Tiberias and drink all its water. When their last ones pass through, they will say that there was once water here. Hazrat Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon him) and his companions will be trapped until the head of an ox becomes more valuable than your current hundred dinars.
Reference: Muslim: Book of Fitnah: Chapter on Mentioning the Dajjal (2937) Ahmad (248/4) Abu Dawood (4321) Tirmidhi (2240) Ibn Majah (4126) Hakim (537/4)
عن ابن مسعود رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : فعند ذلك يخرج يأجوج ومأجوج وهم من كل حدب ينسلون فيطؤون بلادهم لا يأتون على شيء إلا أهلكوه ولا يمرون على ماء إلا شربوه ثم يرجع الناس إلى فيشكونهم فأدعو الله عليهم فيهلكهم الله ويميتهم
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Then Gog and Magog will come out running from every hill. They will trample upon the cities of those people, destroying everything. They will drink the water (of the sea or river) through which they pass. Then people will come to me (Isa) complaining, so I will supplicate to Allah against Gog and Magog, and Allah will destroy them all.
Reference: Ahmad (469/1) Ibn Majah: Book of Fitnah: Chapter on the Trial of the Dajjal (4132) Hakim (534/4) Hakim and Dhahabi have declared it authentic. At-Tabari (86/9)
Hole in the Wall of Dhul-Qarnayn:
عن زينب بنت جحش رضي الله عنها قالت قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ويل للعرب من شر قد اقترب فتح اليوم من ردم يأجوج ومأجوج مثل هذا ، قال : وحلق باصبعيه الإبهام والتي تليها
Hazrat Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: For the Arabs, there is destruction from this evil that is near; today, a hole has appeared in the wall of Ya'juj and Ma'juj. The Prophet (peace be upon him) indicated by joining his thumb and index finger.
Reference: Bukhari: Book of Prophets: Chapter on the Story of Ya'juj and Ma'juj: Book of Tribulations: Chapter on Ya'juj and Ma'juj (7135) Muslim (2880) Tirmidhi (2187) Ahmad (477/6) Humaidi (147/1) Dala'il al-Nubuwwah (406/6)
In one narration it is stated:
وفتح اليوم من ردم ياجوج وماجوج مثل موضع الدرهم
A hole the size of a dirham has appeared in the wall of Ya'juj and Ma'juj.
Reference: Ahmad (478/6) also
The Appearance of Ya'juj and Ma'juj:
عن أم حبيبة رضي الله عنها عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : إنكم تقولون لا عدو وإنكم لا تزالون تقاتلون عدوا حتى يأتى يأجوج ومأجوج عراض الوجوه صغار العيون شهب الشعاف من كل حدب ينسلون كأن وجوههم المجان المطرقة
It is narrated from Hazrat Umm Habiba (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: You people say that there will be no enemies left, yet you will always be fighting enemies until Ya'juj and Ma'juj emerge, whose faces will be broad, eyes small, hair reddish, and they will come running from every hill as if their faces are layered like flattened shields.
Reference: Majma' al-Zawa'id Kitab al-Fitan: Chapter on what has been mentioned about Ya'juj and Ma'juj (12570) Ahmad (341/5)
The multitude of Ya'juj and Ma'juj:
عن أبى سعيد رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : يقول الله تعالى : يا آدم فيقول لبيك وسعديك والخير فى يديك فيقول : أخرج بعث النار ، قال : وما بعث النار ؟ قال : من كل ألف تسعمائة وتسعة وتسعين فعنده يشيب الصغير وتضع كل ذات حمل حملها وترى الناس سكارى وما هم بسكارى ولكن عذاب الله شديد قالوا : يا رسول الله ! وأينا ذلك الواحد؟ قال : أبشروا فإن منكم رجلا ومن يأجوج ومأجوج ألف ثم قال : والذي نفسي بيده إني أرجو أن تكونوا ربع أهل الجنة فكبرنا فقال : أرجو أن تكونوا ثلث أهل الجنة فكبرنا ، فقال : أرجو أن تكونوا نصف أهل الجنة فكبرنا ، فقال : ما أنتم فى الناس إلا كالشعرة السوداء فى جلد ثور أبيض أو كشعرة بيضاء فى جلد ثور أسود
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Judgment, "O Adam!" Adam (peace be upon him) will respond, "I am present and ready to obey, all goodness is in Your hands alone." Allah Almighty will say, "Take out those who are destined for Hell from among the people." Adam (peace be upon him) will ask, "O Allah! How many are those destined for Hell?" Allah Almighty will say, "Nine hundred and ninety out of every thousand." At that time, due to the horror and terror, children will become old and every pregnant woman will miscarry. You will see people in a state of unconsciousness from fear and terror, although they will not be actually unconscious. But Allah's punishment will be very severe. The Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who will be that one person among us?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "You will be that one person among them, and a thousand will be from the people of Hell, the tribe of Gog and Magog." Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I hope that you (the Muslim Ummah) will be one-fourth of all the people of Paradise." Then we said, "Allahu Akbar." He (peace be upon him) said, "I hope you will be one-third of all the people of Paradise." Then we said, "Allahu Akbar." Then he (peace be upon him) said, "I hope you will be half of the people of Paradise." Then we said, "Allahu Akbar." Then he (peace be upon him) said, "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be as many compared to all other people as a black hair on the body of a white bull, or a white hair on the body of a black bull."
Reference: Bukhari: Book of Prophets: Chapter on the Story of Gog and Magog (3348) Muslim: Book of Faith (379 - 222) Hakim (82/4)
The Destruction of Gog and Magog:
عن النواس بن سمعان رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : فيحصر نبي الله عيسى وأصحابه فيرسل الله عليهم النغف فى رقابهم فيصبحون فرسى كموت نفس واحدة ثم يهبط نبي الله عيسى وأصحابه إلى الأرض فلا يجدون فى الأرض موضع شبر إلا ملأه زهمهم ونتنهم فيرغب نبي الله عيسى وأصحابه إلى الله فيرسل الله طيرا كأعناق البخت فتحملهم فتطرحهم حيث شاء الله ثم يرسل الله مطرا لا يكن منه بيت مدر ولا وبر فيغسل الأرض حتى يتركها كالزلفة ثم يقال للأرض : أنبتي ثمرتك وردي بركتك فيومئذ تأكل العصابة من الرمانة ويستظلون بقحفها ويبارك فى الرسل حتى إن اللقحة من الإبل لتكفي الفئام من الناس واللقحة من البقر لتكفي القبيلة من الناس واللقحة من الغنم لتكفي الفخذ من الناس فبينما هم كذلك إذ بعث الله ريحا طيبة
It is narrated from Hazrat Nawas bin Samaan (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Then the Prophet of Allah, Hazrat Isa (Jesus) and his companions will pray to Allah, and Allah will cause worms to appear in their necks and will destroy them instantly as if by a single breath of death. Then the Prophet of Allah, Hazrat Isa (AS) and his companions will descend to the earth, but everywhere on the earth their stench and foul odor will have spread. Then Hazrat Isa (AS) and his companions will pray to Allah, and Allah will send birds like sparrows with necks like the necks of Bakhati camels, which will carry them away to the place where Allah commands. Then Allah will send rain that will reach every soil and tented house, and through it Allah will purify the earth as if it were a pond or a garden (or a beautiful woman). Then the earth will be commanded to produce its fruits and blessings; on that day, one pomegranate will be enough for the entire group, and they will get shade from its peel. The milk of a Gabhan she-camel will suffice for many groups, the milk of a pregnant cow will suffice for a tribe, and the milk of a goat will suffice for a family. People will be in such a state that suddenly Allah will send a wind that will pass under their armpits and will cause the death of every believer and Muslim. Then only the worst people will remain, who will quarrel among themselves like vultures (or commit evil deeds), and the Day of Judgment will be established upon them.
Reference: Muslim: Kitab al-Fitan: Bab Dhikr al-Dajjal (2937) Ahmad (248/4) Abu Dawood (4311) Tirmidhi (2240) Ibn Majah (4126) Hakim (537/4) Tabari (95/9)
Benefits:
➊ Gog and Magog are of the human species and descendants of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him); there is no other creation beyond humans.
➋ Gog and Magog have existed on the earth since the time of King Dhul-Qarnayn (539 BC) and will emerge upon people by divine command before the Day of Judgment.
➌ Gog and Magog have been corruptors since the beginning and at the time of their emergence will spread sedition and corruption among the people as if corruption is inherent in them.
➍ The two mountains behind which Gog and Magog are confined were sealed by King Dhul-Qarnayn with iron and copper, and this place is located somewhere towards the place of sunrise (Matla' al-Shams).
➎ Gog and Magog are continuously digging this wall without rest and every evening they come very close to breaking it down but by divine command, the wall becomes stronger every morning than before.
➏ Before the Day of Judgment, when Allah commands, Gog and Magog will break the wall and emerge upon the people.
➐ Gog and Magog will emerge after the descent of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and the defeat of the Dajjal.
➑ Gog and Magog dig the wall every day and when they bring it very close to collapse, their overseer tells them to stop and continue the next day, but he cannot say "no" by the blessing of Allah. When their time is complete, on the last evening the overseer will say, "Let us continue tomorrow, Insha'Allah," and by the blessing of Insha'Allah, the wall will not return to its strong state but will remain weak as they left it. This shows the manifestation of the blessing of Insha'Allah.
➒ Gog and Magog are continuously digging the wall without rest, and during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they had made a hole the size of a dirham in the wall.
➓ No group in the world is capable of confronting Gog and Magog; even Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will be unable to face them and by divine command will ascend Mount Tur with the Muslims.
⓫ Gog and Magog are confined behind a single wall (Silla Dhul-Qarnayn) in one place.
⓬ The appearance of Gog and Magog is described as similar to Turks, that is, with narrow eyes, reddish hair, and broad faces, as if they are layered like shields (flat or thick), but it is incorrect to identify Turks or any other current nation as Gog and Magog because none of their traits and signs match any existing nation. For details, see the reality of the prophecies.
⓭ The number of Gog and Magog is very large; it can be estimated that they are 99% more than the Muslims.
⓮ Gog and Magog will destroy all fields and gardens, pollute all rivers and streams, and create chaos everywhere.
⓯ At the time of their emergence, people will lock themselves in fortresses because these people will be mortal enemies of livestock, birds, wild animals, and every living being; therefore, it is impossible for any nation to trade, negotiate, or establish relations with them.
⓰ After spreading destruction on earth, Gog and Magog will shoot arrows towards the sky, which Allah will cause to fall down covered in blood, and they will say:
قهرنا أهل الأرض وعلونا أهل السماء
We have destroyed the people of the world and have also prevailed over the people of the heavens.
⓱ Gog and Magog and the wall are inseparable.
⓲ The wall of Gog and Magog is made of iron and copper.
⓳ The emergence of Gog and Magog will be after Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), and before that, no one will see them.
(20) By the prayer of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), all of them will be instantly killed by a disease.
(21) By divine command, small birds will carry them to an unknown place, although their corpses will be so spread over the earth that there will be no place for a needle to fall. ان الله على كل شئ قدير
(22) They were all created as a test and without exception will become fuel for Hell; therefore, not a single one of them will accept Islam.
(23) After the destruction of Gog and Magog, only Muslims will remain on earth, then among these Muslims, immorality, disbelief, and polytheism will begin to spread, so Allah will take the righteous and establish the Day of Judgment upon the wicked.
