Signs of the End of Times
The topic of the signs of the Day of Judgment is a very huge topic, and scholars, such as Imam Qurtubi have written books on it. There are indeed many books dedicated to these signs based on verses in the Quran as well as narrations from the Sunnah.
Here, I will focus on some of the signs of the Day of Judgment as the topic is too vast to cover. In Arabic, these are referred to as asharat as-sa’a or alamat as-sa’a. The signs are categorised into two main types: minor signs (sughrah) and major signs (kubra).
In the well-known Hadith of Jibril, Jibril arrived at the mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the form of a stranger. He approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) directly and asked him to explain the concepts of Islam, imaan, and ihsan. Then, Jibril posed the question: “Tell me about the Hour.” To which the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “The one who is being asked knows no more than the one asking.”
Jibril then rephrased his question and asked: “Tell me about the signs of the Hour.” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) then elaborated on these signs. The Quran also contains numerous verses addressing the Hour. For instance:
They ask you about the Hour, ‘When is its arrival?’ Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None knows it but He. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except suddenly.’ (7:187)
The people ask you concerning the Hour. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.’ (33:63)
They ask you about the Hour, ‘When is its arrival?’ Where are you to mention it? To your Lord is its end. (79:42-44)
Such verses reflect the recurring curiosity about the Hour among people. The Quran guides us on how to approach this question appropriately: the knowledge of the Hour rests solely with Allah. Only Allah knows when it will begin. Even the prophets, messengers, and the best of creation have no knowledge of its timing.
Minor signs
Let’s begin with the minor signs of the Day of Judgment. There are a total of 56 minor signs, each backed by authentic narrations. Many of these signs have already occurred, while the major signs are yet to come.
- The sending of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- The death of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- The conquest of Jerusalem (Al-Quds).
- The plague of Amwas.
- The increase of wealth and the self-sufficiency of people, leading to the abandonment of charity.
- The emergence of trials (fitan), such as the appearance of fitnah from the East, the killing of Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), the Battle of the Camel, the Battle of Siffin, the emergence of the Khawarij, the Battle of Harrah, and following the ways of past nations.
- The appearance of false claimants of prophethood, such as Musaylamah the liar, Sajjah and others later.
- The appearance of the fire in the region of Hijaz.
- The spread of security.
- The fighting of the Turks.
- The fighting of the Persians (Ajam).
- The loss of trustworthiness (amanah).
- The knowledge being taken away and prevalence of ignorance.
- The increase of police forces and the supporters of oppression.
- The widespread prevalence of zina (fornication/adultery).
- The widespread use of riba (usury).
- The appearance of musical instruments and their acceptance.
- The normalisation and widespread drinking of alcohol.
- The beautification of mosques and pride in their adornment over their purpose.
- The competition to construct tall buildings.
- The servant giving birth to her master
- The increase of killings.
- The shortening of time.
- The closeness of markets (due to increased trade and commerce).
- The emergence of polytheism within this Ummah.
- The spread of vulgarity, severing ties of kinship, and bad neighbourliness.
- The youthfulness of the elderly (in behaviour and status).
- The increase of stinginess and selfishness.
- The increase of trade.
- The increase of earthquakes.
- The occurrence of landslides, transformations of shapes, and punishment from the sky.
- The disappearance of the righteous, but not complete loss.
- The rise of the lowly (socially and politically).
- Saluting only those who are recognised or known.
- Seeking knowledge from the young and the unqualified.
- The appearance of women who are dressed but are naked (immodesty).
- True dreams of the believers.
- The spread of knowledge, for instance we have AI now, without its implementation.
- The negligence of practices of the Sunnah that Islam encourages.
- The appearance of the moon becoming larger (the lengthening of time between lunar phases).
- The spread of lying and fake news, lack of verification in the media.
- The widespread of false testimony and the concealment of truthful testimony.
- The increase in the number of women and the decrease in the number of men, which is a sign of war.
- The increase of sudden deaths.
- The occurrence of mutual hostility and estrangement among people.
- The return of the Arab land to being fertile and full of rivers.
- The increase of rainfall but a decrease in vegetation.
- The Euphrates River revealing a mountain of gold.
- The speech of wild animals and inanimate objects to humans.
- The desire for death due to severe trials and tribulations.
- The increase of the Romans and their battles against the Muslims.
- The conquest of Constantinople.
- Battle with the Jews.
- The expulsion of the wicked from Madina and its eventual destruction in the last days.
- The sending of the good wind to take the souls of the believers.
- The desecration of the Sacred House (Kaaba) and its destruction.
The disappearance of knowledge
One of the minor signs is the gradual disappearance of knowledge. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the hearts of people, but He takes away knowledge by the death of scholars, until none remain, and people will follow ignorant leaders who will misguide them. (Bukhari)
Despite advancements like AI, true knowledge that brings people closer to Allah will diminish as scholars pass away. Ignorant leaders will dominate nations, delivering misguided opinions and approving oppression to please those in power.
In addition, we will have corrupt and ignorant scholars. Although they are so-called scholars, they deliver fatwas and opinions to rubber stamp oppression and the killing of innocent people to please the government and those in positions of power.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
There will come a time when ignorant people will give fatwas (legal rulings) and misguide others while being misguided themselves. (Bukhari)
The widespread trials and tribulations
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned about the increase of tribulations:
Fitnah (tribulation) will come like waves of the sea. (Bukhari)
We have already seen the spread of bloody conflicts in various regions – increasing oppression, economic disparities, and widespread injustice, all confirming the truth of his words. We see regions being ruthlessly destroyed, including Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, Libya, Kashmir, and the Rohingyans. These events are a cause of immense sadness and distress to the Ummah.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used the term harj, prompting his companions to inquire about its meaning. He explained that harj refers to widespread bloodshed and killing—another sign indicating the nearing of the Hour. He (peace be upon him) warned against the widespread killing in his Farewell Sermon, saying:
Do not turn back after imaan to disbelief by killing one another. (Bukhari)
Unfortunately, bloodshed is rampant, with genocides and massacres occurring across the globe. Leaders keep justifying these atrocities, while the public remains furious but powerless to stop them. Despite all the social media showing the reality of the brutality being committed against innocent civilians, leaders continue to make statements that show complete hypocrisy and callousness.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us not to be bystanders in the killing, not to be part of this and not to promote this and not to accept this. We have to reject it, fight against it and do our best to make some difference as much as possible.
Rampant miserliness and greed
Another clear sign is the increase in greed and miserliness. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Miserliness will spread among people. (Muslim)
We observe this today in the form of wealth being concentrated in the hands of a few, while the majority suffer from economic hardship, leaving hand to mouth. Giant corporations control a disproportionate amount of the resources of the world, and wield undue influence over government policies to further their own financial interests and agendas. At an individual level, people are reluctant to give as materialism has become firmly rooted in people’s psyche.
Major signs
Now let us look at the major signs. The hadith mentions ten major signs, but we have some discussion regarding the sequence. The sequence in which the signs will appear is not agreed by scholars, though they have tried to use their ijtihad (reason) to deduce it.
Smoke
One of the signs is the smoke (dhukhan), which is mentioned in the Quran and in hadith. One of the surahs is called The Smoke. This smoke will envelop the earth, affecting every home, much like the image of lit wood creating smoke that fills a house. Its presence will be universal. As a result people will flee to the Gathering.
While this is one of the ten major signs of the Day of Judgment, we do not know if it is the first sign or not. It will fill the entire earth as a house filled with smoke. The effect on believers will be as if they have a cold or flu, but it will enter the ears of the disbelievers and hypocrites until it escapes from every part of them.
So wait for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke, covering the people. This is a painful punishment. (10-11)
In the hadith:
Hudhifa ibn Asid Al-Ghifari narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came out to us while we were talking and said, “What are you discussing?” We said: “We are discussing the Hour.” He said, “The Hour will not come until you witness ten signs before it.” He mentioned the smoke, the Dajjal, the Beast, the sun rising from the west, the descent of Isa (peace be upon him), Gog and Magog, and three major earthquakes: one in the east, one in the west, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. The last sign will be a fire that will drive people to their place of gathering for judgment. (Al-Wabil, Ashraat al-Sa’ah,)
Three big earthquakes
Another sign mentioned in hadith is the occurrence of three earthquakes. As mentioned above, these three earthquakes will take place in the east, one in the west, and one in the Arabian Peninsula.
These earthquakes will be very severe and devastating, affecting vast areas of the earth. Throughout history, there have been earthquakes in various places, but these three earthquake are likely to far worse than any we have seen before.
The False Messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal)
One of the most significant major signs of the Day of Judgment is the emergence of Al-Masih ad-Dajjal, the False Messiah. He will appear as a deceiver, leading people astray with false miracles and misleading claims.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
There will be no creation (on earth) from the time of Adam until the Hour begins that will be greater in trial than the Dajjal. (Muslim)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provided detailed descriptions of Dajjal. Among his most striking features is that he will be blind in one eye. His deception will be so severe that many will follow him, thinking he is truthful. Another hadith describes his defective eye:
Dajjal is blind in his right eye; his eye looks like a protruding grape. (Bukhari and Muslim)
The duration of Dajjal’s stay on earth is extraordinary. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stated:
He will stay on earth for forty days: one day will be like a year, one day will be like a month, one day will be like a week, and the rest of his days will be normal days. (Muslim)
This unusual passage of time is one of the unique characteristics surrounding his trial.
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised believers to recite Surah Al-Kahf for protection against Dajjal’s deception:
Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the trial of Dajjal. (Muslim)
The emergence Gog and Magog (Ya’juj wa Ma’juj)
Gog and Magog are among the major signs of the Day of Judgment. There is scholarly discussion on whether their emergence has already taken place or is yet to come. However, their mention in both the Quran and hadith confirms their significance as a key event.
They are explicitly referenced in Surah Al-Kahf, in connection with Dhul Qarnayn, the righteous ruler who constructed a great barrier to restrain them:
Until when he reached between two mountains, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand speech. They said: ‘O Dhul Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are corruptors in the land. So shall we pay you a tribute that you might build a barrier between us and them?’ … He said: ‘This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will level it to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is ever true.’ (18:93-98)
This indicates that Gog and Magog were a destructive force on Earth, and Dhul Qarnayn was given the ability to contain them behind a fortified barrier.
In the hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) elaborates further that they will one day break through the barrier and cause great chaos across the world.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Verily, Gog and Magog dig through the barrier every day until they nearly break through it, then one of them says, ‘Tomorrow we shall finish it,’ but Allah restores it stronger than before. Then when their appointed time comes, they will breach it and flood into the world. (Ibn Majah)
Their release will coincide with the descent of Isa (peace be upon him), and they will wreak havoc upon the earth until Allah Himself intervenes to eliminate them.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Allah will send upon them worms in their necks, which will kill them like the death of a single person. (Muslim)
Following their demise, the earth will be cleansed of their remains, and the commencement of the final events before the Hour.
The emergence of the beast (Dabbatul Ard)
Allah mentions in the Quran:
And when the Word is fulfilled against them, We shall bring forth for them a beast from the earth, who will speak to them… (27:82)
This beast will be among the major signs of the Day of Judgment. While hadith provides some details regarding its appearance and nature, the exact form of this beast remains unknown to us. Scholars have discussed its possible attributes, but no definitive conclusion has been reached.
The appearance of Al-Mahdi (Al-Mahi)
There is some misunderstanding about the belief in Al-Mahdi. Some mistakenly think that only certain groups believe in him, but the fact is that authentic narrations affirm his appearance. While some hadith related to Al-Mahdi contain weaknesses, nevertheless, when you put them together as a collection , these narrations are good and confirm his coming.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us his name is Muhammad ibn Abdullah:
His name will be like mine, and his father’s name will be like my father’s name. (Abu Dawood)
One of the most significant aspects of Al-Mahdi is that he will fill the Earth with justice, just as it had been filled with injustice. Narrations also mention that Al-Mahdi and Isa (peace be upon him) will be present at the same time. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
There will come a time when Al-Mahdi will lead the prayers, and Isa (peace be upon him) will pray behind him.” (Ahmad)
Al-Mahdi will be a leader of great importance for the believers during those times.
The descent of Isa (peace be upon him)
The descent of Isa (peace be upon him) is another major sign. He will return near the end of times and play a significant role in fighting against falsehood. The hadith states that he will descend near the White Minaret in Damascus.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Isa, son of Maryam, will descend at the White Minaret in Damascus, wearing two garments lightly dyed with saffron and placing his hands on the wings of two angels. (Muslim)
He will follow the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and assist Al-Mahdi in leading the believers.
The rising of the sun from the west
The rising of the sun from the west is one of the clearest signs of the approach of the Hour. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
The Hour will not begin until the sun rises from the west. When the people see it, they will all believe, but that will be the time when faith will not benefit a soul that has not believed before. (Bukhari and Muslim)
This event signifies a shift in the natural order and will serve as an undeniable sign that the world is nearing its end.
The great fire that will gather people
The appearance of a huge fire that drives people towards a gathering place marks another significant sign. This fire will push people towards their final destination as the end approaches.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
A fire will emerge from Yemen and drive the people to their place of gathering. (Muslim)
The cold wind that ends all believers’ lives
The last major sign of the Day of Judgment is the emergence of a cold wind that will gently take the souls of all believers. This event is described in the hadith:
Allah will send a cold wind from every direction, and no one on the face of the Earth with even the weight of a mustard seed of faith will remain; their souls will be taken gently. (Muslim)
It will take the souls of all true believers. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Allah will send a gentle wind that will take the soul of every believer, leaving only the worst of people, and the Hour will begin upon them. (Muslim)
This wind will originate from the region of Sham—which includes Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon—and spread across the Earth. It will ensure that no believer remains to witness the catastrophic events that follow.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Even if a believer hides in a cave, the wind will reach him and take his soul. (Muslim)
After this, the Hour will begin, and signify the end of the world.
Supplication for guidance amid tribulations
Amid trials and tests, believers are taught a dua for strength and guidance:
Oh Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mikail, and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and Earth, Knower of the seen and unseen. You are the arbitrator between Your servants in what they disputed. Guide me to the truth in what they differ, for verily, You guide whom You will to the straight path.
Memorising and reciting this dua provides strength to endure the frightening signs and challenges ahead.
Reward for patience during tribulations
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveyed good news regarding the reward for patience during times of tribulation. He said:
The reward of one who remains steadfast during trials will be equal to that of 50 men.
When the companions asked, “50 men of them?” the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
“No, 50 of you.” (Abu Dawood)
This highlights the immense reward and elevation achieved by having patience in calamities, clinging to the Quran, Sunnah, and truth. Holding steadfast to one’s faith during trials is likened to carrying a burning red coal in one’s hand. The difficulty is immense, yet enduring it increases the reward and strengthens one’s connection with Allah.
Worship during turmoil
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave glad tidings about worshiping Allah during times of chaos. He said:
Worshiping Allah during turmoil is like migrating to me. (Muslim)
Doing good deeds during times of tribulation is like migrating to me. (Musnad Ahmad)
These narrations emphasise the importance of holding firmly to the Rope of Allah, especially during trials that test patience and hope. Shaytan seizes opportunities when believers are weak, trapping them in despair and misguidance. Remaining steadfast prevents such traps, keeping believers on the straight path.
The Fitna of Dajjal
The emergence of Dajjal will bring unparalleled trials. Allah will grant him the ability to deceive people by reviving the dead and claiming divine authority. He will say, “Die,” and someone will die, and then say, “Live,” and they will be revived. Witnessing these false miracles, people will declare, “You are our Lord.” This deception is the great fitna of Dajjal.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised believers to recite ten verses from Surah Al-Kahf for protection from Dajjal’s fitna:
Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the trial of Dajjal. (Muslim)
Righteous deeds
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised the importance of continuing righteous deeds, even at the brink of the Hour. He said:
If the Hour starts and you have a small plant in your hand, plant it. (Ahmad)
We have utilise our time well. Focus your efforts and resources effectively, regardless of looming signs of the Hour. Believers should never cease striving to do good until the very end.
Believers will not witness the hour
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reassured believers that they will not witness the catastrophic events of the Hour. The last sign for them will be the cold wind that takes their souls gently. This wind will ensure they are spared the severe torture of the Hour, which will only befall disbelievers.
Increase barakah in your life
Barakah (blessings) is intricately connected to our actions and intentions. While wealth itself is good, greed can destroy the barakah within it. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Whoever takes wealth with good intention and good use, Allah places barakah in it. But whoever takes it with greed will see its barakah removed. (Nasa’i)
Greed has led to significant global consequences, including the collapse of financial markets, driven by unchecked hunger for wealth. Those who act with sincerity and integrity in managing their wealth will find it blessed and abundant, while those driven by greed will lose its blessings entirely.
The concept of barakah (blessings) is vital in understanding how Allah increases and indeed multiplies goodness beyond ordinary calculation. Barakah is not limited to time; it applies to health, wealth, offspring, food, and even places. For instance, cities like Makkah and Madina are filled with barakah due to their spiritual significance and the abundance of blessings Allah has placed there. Similarly, the Quran is described as Mubarak, a source of immense goodness and benefit. When Allah grants barakah, it makes food more nourishing, money more abundant, and knowledge more transformative. It defies human calculations, as seen when even a small salary was sufficient to feed large families in past generations, allowing for savings as well. By contrast, a large income today often feels insufficient due to the absence of barakah.
In three hours, if Allah blesses that time for you, you may accomplish the work of three hours—or even the work of an entire day. Why? Because Allah instils barakah in time.
There is a remarkable book by a scholar who meticulously went through the Quran, collecting words that require explanation and compiling them into a four-volume dictionary. Four volumes! He named it The Dictionary of Difficult Words in the Quran, providing definitions, details, and explanations. It is truly a beautiful book.
I referred to this book under the word barakah to see how he defined it. This scholar, from the 4th century (around 450H), passed away in 502H—close to the era of Imam Al-Ghazali (505H). He said barakah is stability. When Allah grants barakah to time, it stabilises—it does not slip away or disappear.
On the other hand, a person may be humble, barely able to memorise much, but if they possess sincerity and the right foundation, Allah can bless their knowledge, allowing it to spread far and wide. Why? Because it is infused with barakah. When Allah grants barakah to something, it flourishes beyond human calculation.
Alhamdulillah, the good news is that barakah will never be entirely lifted; it will remain until the Day of Judgment. However, it varies from person to person and place to place. Ask your grandparents, and they will tell you stories of how a small salary once sustained an entire household—even a family of nine—with enough left for savings. Contrast that with today, where wealth is abundant but often insufficient.
Neglecting obligations like zakat, failing to support those in need when capable, can lead to the removal of barakah—from wealth, time, knowledge, experience, status, and more.
Barakah is a key factor in everything we do, apply, and plan for. Honesty in business—with customers, family, and friends—brings barakah to one’s life. Be cautious—deception contaminates wealth. If one tricks customers to gain more money, believing it to be extra income, it is not! It is tainted, devoid of barakah. The solution? Get rid of it, donate it, and seek repentance (tawbah) from Allah.
Barakah is about increase and growth—it grows wealth, time, and productivity. With sincerity and pure intentions, Allah blesses time, making it more fruitful.
I recall one of our students working on his PhD while involved in a university project. He had tight deadlines for both. Twenty years ago, he sought advice, and I suggested prioritising his PhD. A few weeks later, he returned, saying he had completed both—the project and the PhD chapter. Typically, it took him three weeks to finish a chapter, but this time, he completed it in just one week. His peers found it unbelievable, but he knew barakah had been placed in his time due to the sincerity behind his efforts.
Though time may fly, we can extend it through barakah—by acting with the right intention and using our time wisely. Allah places blessings in time for those who seek it.
Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim to the Convert Club on 17th Dec 2024.
With thanks to S Javaid