Who Are Yajuj and Majuj? A Complete Explanation in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
❖ Definition and Existence
Yajuj and Majuj are two human nations, existing even today. They are not imaginary beings, nor creatures like jinn, but real human communities.
Qur’anic Mention of Yajuj and Majuj
Allah ﷻ mentions them in the story of Dhul-Qarnayn:
﴿حَتّى إِذا بَلَغَ بَينَ السَّدَّينِ وَجَدَ مِن دونِهِما قَومًا لا يَكادونَ يَفقَهونَ قَولًا ﴿٩٣﴾ قالوا يـذَا القَرنَينِ إِنَّ يَأجوجَ وَمَأجوجَ مُفسِدونَ فِى الأَرضِ فَهَل نَجعَلُ لَكَ خَرجًا عَلى أَن تَجعَلَ بَينَنا وَبَينَهُم سَدًّا ﴿٩٤﴾ … ﴿٩٨﴾
(Surah al-Kahf, 93-98)
Translation:
“…Until when he (Dhul-Qarnayn) reached between two barriers, he found before them a people who could hardly understand speech. They said: O Dhul-Qarnayn! Verily Yajuj and Majuj are spreading corruption in the land. So shall we pay you a tribute that you 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 erect between you and them a strong wall… Thus they were unable to scale it, nor could they pierce it. Dhul-Qarnayn said: This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes, He will level it, and the promise of my Lord is true.”
Yajuj and Majuj in the Hadith
The Prophet (ﷺ) described their vast numbers and their end:
«يَقُوْلُ اللّٰهُ يوم القيامة ياآدم قم فأبعث بعث النار من ذريتکٰ … (اَبْشِرُوا فَاِنَّ مِنْکُمْ رَجُلٌ وَمِنْ يَاجُوْجَ وَمَاجُوجَ اَلْفٌ)»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3348; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 22)
Translation:
“Allah will say on the Day of Judgment: O Adam! Send forth the people of Hell from your progeny. … The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Rejoice! For one man from you will be in Hell and one thousand from Yajuj and Majuj.”
The Danger of Yajuj and Majuj in the Time of the Prophet (ﷺ)
Although their emergence is among the major signs of the Hour, the Prophet (ﷺ) even during his lifetime indicated their impending threat.
Narrated by Umm Ḥabībah (رضي الله عنها):
«لَا اِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَيْلٌ لِّلْعَرَبِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ فُتِحَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ رَدْمِ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مِثْلُ هَذِهِ …»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 7135; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2880)
Translation:
“There is no deity but Allah! Woe to the Arabs because of an evil that has drawn near! Today a hole like this has been opened in the barrier of Yajuj and Majuj.” (The Prophet ﷺ made a circle with his thumb and the finger next to it.)
❖ Conclusion
Yajuj and Majuj are real human nations, mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Their appearance will be one of the greatest signs of the Day of Judgment. They are known for their immense numbers, corruption, and destructive force. The barrier built by Dhul-Qarnayn still prevents their emergence, but when Allah’s decree comes, it will collapse, and their release will signal the approach of the final Hour.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
