Islamic eschatology

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Islamic eschatology is the branch of Islamic scholarship that studies Yawm al-Qiyāmah (pronounced yome-ul-key-ah-mah; Arabic: يوم القيامة‎ "the Day of Resurrection") or Yawm ad-Dīn (pronounced yome-ud-dean; يوم الدين "the Day of Judgment"). This is believed to be the final assessment of humanity by Allah, consisting of the annihilation of all life, resurrection and judgment.

The time of the event is not specified, although there are major and minor signs which have been foretold to happen with Qiyamah at the end of time.[1][2] Many verses of Qur'anic Sura contain the motif of the impending Day of Resurrection.[3][4]

The 75th Sura of the Qur'an, "al-Qiyama", has as its main subject the resurrection. Its tribulation is also described in the hadith, and commentaries of Islamic expositors such as al-Ghazali, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Majah, al-Bukhari, and Ibn Khuzaymah.[4][5] The Day of Judgment is also known as the Day of Reckoning, the Last Day and al-sā'ah, or the Hour.[6][7][8][9]

The hadith describe end time with more specificity than the Qur'an, describing the events of al-Qiyamah through twelve major signs. At the time of judgment, terrible corruption and chaos will rule. The Mahdi will be sent and with the help of Isa, will battle Masih ad-Dajjal. They will triumph, liberating Islam from cruelty, and this will be followed by a time of serenity with people living true to religious values.[10] However there is no mention of the advent of Mahdi and Isa in one era in any of the hadith. Some Muslim scholars translate the Arabic word "Imam" as "Mahdi" to prove the advent of Mahdi & Isa in single era.

Like other Abrahamic religions, Islam also teaches resurrection of the dead, a final tribulation and eternal division of the righteous and wicked.[11] Islamic apocalyptic literature describing Armageddon is often known as fitnah, malāhim, or ghaybah in Shī‘a Islam. Righteous are rewarded with pleasures of Jannah, while unrighteous are tortured in Jahannam.

Six articles of faith[edit]

The Day of Judgment or Resurrection, al-Qiyāmah, is one of the six articles of faith in Islam.[12] The tribulation associated with it is described in the Qur'an and hadith, and commentaries of Islamic expositors like al-Ghazali, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Majah, al-Bukhari, and Ibn Khuzaymah.[4][5] The Day of Judgment is also known as the Day of Reckoning, the Hour, and the Last Day.[6][7][8][9] The Day of Judgment or Resurrection, al-Qiyāmah, relates to one of the six aqīdah in Sunni Islam, and seven aqidah in Shī‘a belief.[12]


There are two main sources in Islamic scripture that discuss the Last Judgment, the Qur'an, which is viewed in Islam as infallible, and the hadith, or sayings of the prophet. Hadith are viewed with more flexibility due to the late compilation of the traditions in written form, two hundred years after the death of Muhammad.[13] The concept has also been discussed in commentaries of Islamic scholars such as al-Ghazali, Ibn Kathir, and Muhammad al-Bukhari.

Last Judgment in the Qur'an[edit]

The Qur'an describes the Last Judgment, with a number of interpretations of its verses. There are specific aspects:

  1. The time is known only to Allah.[14]
  2. Prophet Muhammad cannot bring it forward.[15]
  3. Those who have been dead will believe that a short time has passed between birth and death.[16] Nothing will remain except Allah.[17]
  4. God will resurrect all, even if they have turned to stone or iron.[18]
  5. Those that have accepted false deities will suffer in the afterlife.[19]

Three periods[edit]

There are three periods before the Day of Judgment, also known as ashratu's-sa'ah or alamatu qiyami's-sa'ah, with some debate as to whether the periods could overlap.[12][20][21] The first period began at the passing of Muhammad, and the second began with the passing of his companions and ended a thousand years later. The Tartar invasion, 650 years after the death of Muhammad, occurred in the second period. The Mongols, led by Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, attacked Baghdad in 1258 CE and brought the Abbasid caliphate to an end. They massacred millions of Muslims, and the water of the river Tigris turned red with blood. The Qur'an also foretold a fire at Madinah in the Hijaz near Busra in Syria in the second period, which Islamic scholars believe occurred in 654 AH. We are currently in the second period, with the end of days beginning with the appearance of Mahdi.[21]

Major and minor signs[edit]

There are a number of major and minor signs of the end of days in Islam. There is debate over whether they could occur concurrently or must be at different points in times, although Islamic scholars typically divide them into three major periods.[12][20]

Major signs[edit]

Following the second period, the third will be marked by the twelve major signs known as alamatu's-sa'ah al- kubra (The major signs of the end). They are as follows:

  1. The false messiah, Masih ad-Dajjal, shall appear with huge powers as a one eyed man with the other eye blind and deformed like a grape. He will claim to be God and to hold keys to heaven and hell and lead many astray, although believers will not be deceived.[20][22]
  2. Appearance of the Mahdi[12][23]
  4. The return of Isa, from the second sky to kill Dajjal and wipe out all falsehood and religions other than Islam, he will rule the world until he dies.[24]
  5. Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj, two tribes of vicious beings which had been imprisoned by Dhul-Qarnayn will break out. They will ravage the earth, drink all the water of Lake Tiberias, and kill all believers in their way (or see). Isa, Imam Al-Mahdi, and the believers with them will go to the top of a mountain and pray for the destruction of Gog and Magog. Allah will eventually send disease and worms to wipe them out.[20][25][26]
  6. Mecca will be attacked and the Kaaba will be destroyed
  7. A pleasant breeze will blow from the south that shall cause all believers to die
  8. Quran will be forgotten and no one will recall its verses
  9. All Islamic knowledge will be lost to the extent where people will not say "La Illah Ila Allah" (There is no god, but Allah), but instead old people will babble without understanding "Allah, Allah"
  10. Dabbat al-ard, or the Beast that will come out of the ground to talk to people [27]
  11. People will fornicate in the streets 'like donkeys'
  12. A huge black smoke cloud will cover the earth
  13. The sun will rise from the west [28][29]
  15. The second trumpet blow will be sounded, the dead will return to life and a fire will start that shall gather all to Mahshar Al Qiy'amah (The Gathering for Judgment)[21]

Minor signs[edit]

The 77 Minor Signs of Qiyamat:

  2. Good deeds will decrease. [Bukhari]
  3. People will become miserly. [Bukhari]
  6. Honesty will be lost. [Bukhari]
  9. The appearance of 30 false messengers. [Bukhari]
  11. Earthquakes will increase [Bukhari & Muslim]
  20. People will strive for power about mosques.
  22. People will cheat with goods. [Ibn Majah]
  31. Men will begin to wear silk. [Tirmidhi]
  35. The Muslim conquest of Jerusalem. [Bukhari]
  36. A great plague will spread over the land - may be in reference to the plague of Amwas during the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab. [Bukhari]
  39. A treaty will be made between the Muslims and the Westerners - which they will breach with an army of 12,000 soldiers under 80 banners. [Bukhari]

Other signs mentioned in Hadith Sharif include:

  2. People will beat others with whips like the tails of oxen - this may be in reference to the slave trade. [Muslim]
  4. Children will be foul. [at-Tabarani, al-Hakim]
  5. Women will conspire. [at-Tabarani, al-Hakim[
  6. Rain will be acidic or burning - reference to acid rain. [at-Tabarani, al-Hakim]
  9. Episodes of sudden death will become widespread. [Ahmad]
  10. There will be people who will be brethren in public, but enemies in secret. (When asked how that would come about, he replied, "Because they will have ulterior motives in their mutual dealings, and at the same time they will fear one another.") [Tirmidhi]
  11. People will walk in the marketplace with their thighs exposed.
  12. Great distances will be traversed in short spans of time - reference to vehicles, aeroplanes.
  14. People will hop between the clouds and the earth.
  15. When singers become common. [Al-Haythami]
  16. People will dance late into the night.
  17. People will claim to follow the Qur'an but will reject Hadith & Sunnah. [Abu Dawood]
  18. People will believe in the stars. [Al-Haythami]
  20. Smog will appear over cities because of the evil that they are doing.
  22. There will be attempts to make the deserts green.
  24. The conquest of India by the Muslims, just prior to the return of Prophet Jesus, son of Mary. [Ahmad, an-Nisa'i, Tabarani, al-Hakim]
  25. There will be a special greeting for the people of distinction. [Ahmad]
  26. Wild animals will be able to talk to humans. [Ahmad]
  29. Bearing false witness will become widespread. [Al-Haythami & Ahmad]
  33. Arrogance will increase in the earth. [Tabarani, al-Hakim]
  34. Family ties will be cut. [Ahmad]
  37. People will refuse when offered food.

Major figures[edit]



Mahdi (Arabic: مهدي‎) translates to 'guided one', with hadith being the primary source of his descriptions. His appearance will be the first sign of the third period.[21] Hadith write that he will be a descendant of Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and cousin Ali. The Mahdi will be looked upon to kill Al-Dajjal and end the prevalent disintegration of the Muslim community to prepare for the reign of Jesus who will rule for a time after. The Mahdi will similarly kill all enemies of the Prophet and fulfill the prophetic mission as a vision of justice and peace before following Jesus’ rule.[31] The physical features of Mahdi are described in the hadith—he will be of Arab complexion and average height with a large belly, large eyes and a sharp nose. He will have a mole on his cheek, the sign of the prophet on his shoulder, and be recognized by the caliphate while he sits at his own home. As written by Abu Dawud:


—Abu Dawud, Sahih, 2.208 and Fusul al-muhimma, 275

Though the duration of his rule differs, hadith are consistent in describing that Allah will perfect him in a single night with inspiration and wisdom, and his name will be announced from the sky. He will bring back worship of true Islamic values, and bring the Ark of the Covenant to light. He will conquer Istanbul and Mount Daylam. And will Eye Jerusalem and the Dome as his Home. His banner will be that of the prophet Muhammad: black and unstitched, with a halo. Unopened since the death of Muhammad, the banner will unfurl when the Mahdi appears. He will be helped by angels and others that will prepare the way for him. He will understand the secrets of abjad.[10]

Sunni and Shi'ite perspectives on the Mahdi[edit]

Sunni and Shi'ite Islam have different beliefs on the identity of Mahdi. Historically, Sunni Islam has derived religious authority from the caliphate, who was in turn appointed by the companions of Muhammad at his death. The Sunnis view the Mahdi as the successor of Mohammad, the Mahdi is expected to arrive to rule the world and reestablish righteousness.[32] Various Sunnis also share a parallel belief that though there may be no actual Mahdi, the existence of mujaddid will instead lead the Islamic revolution of a renewal in faith and avoidance of deviation from God’s path. Such an intellectual and spiritual figure of Sunni tradition has been attributed to numerous Muslims at the end of each Muslim century from the origin of Islam through present day.[31] This classical interpretation is favored by Sunni scholars like Ghazali and Ibn Taymiyyah.

Shi'a Islam, in distinction, followed the bloodline of Muhammad, favoring his cousin and son by marriage, Ali. Ali was appointed the first Imam, and following him there were eleven more. Muhammad al-Mahdi, otherwise known as the twelfth imam, went into hiding in 873 AD at the age of four. His father was al-`Askari, and had been murdered, and so he was hidden from the authorities of the Abbasid Caliphate. He maintained contact with his followers until 940 AD, when he was hidden. Twelver Shia Islam believes that al-Mahdi is the current Imam, and will emerge at the end of the current age. Some scholars say that, although unnoticed by others present, the Mahdi of Twelver Shi'a Islam continues to make an annual pilgrimage while he resides outside of Mecca.[33] In distinction, Sunni Islam foresees him as a separate and new person.[34] The present Ayatollahs of Iran see themselves as joint caretakers of the office of the Imam until he returns.[35]


Claimants of the Mahdi[edit]

Throughout history, there have been multiple claimants to the role of Mahdi that had come into existence through their pious deeds and by subsequently acquiring their own following. One of these men, Muhammad al-Hanifiyya was said to have judgment and character over rival caliphs; and mysteries of his death arose in the 8th century. It was believed he had in fact not died and would one day return as the Mahdi. The sect of Mahdavis arose as followers of another claimant, Muhammad Mahdi of Janpur in the 15th century. Furthermore, a potential Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad of Sudan, was believed to hold the title following his self-proclamation in 1881 and stand against the Turco-Egyptian government as well as the British.[31] Additionally, Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad of Punjab claimed to be the Mahdi during the same period as Muhammad Ahmad and considered a heretic by Orthodox Muslims, though he amassed a substantial following and is credited with founding the sect of Ahmadiyya.[31] It should not be forgotten that two linked Shi'i movements, that of the Bábís and that of the Bahá'ís believed (and believe) that their prophets, Sayyid "Ali Muhammad, the Bab" (d. 1850) and Mirza Husayn "Ali Nuri, Bahá'u'lláh were fulfillers of prophecy. The Bab is thought to be the return of the Twelfth Imam and Bahá'u'lláh the Mahdi. Since the Baha'is now preach a fairly successful international religion with possibly 6 million followers, their concept of a fulfillment of Islamic prophecy is now currently well outside the Islamic world.


Isa is the Arabic name for Jesus of Nazareth, and his return is considered the third major sign of last days, while the second is the appearance of Masih ad-Dajjal. Although Muhammad is the preeminent Prophet in Islam, Jesus is the only Prophet who is said not to have died but rather raised up by Allah.[36] Thus, in accordance with post-Quranic legend, he will conceivably return to Earth as a just judge before the Day of Judgment.[37] As written in hadith:


—Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad, vol 2, p. 240[21]





Ya'juj and Ma'juj[edit]

The fourth major sign of end time will be that the wall which imprisons the nations of Ya'juj and Ma'juj will break, and they will surge forth. Some Islamic scholars, such as Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein,[40] believe the wall began to crack during the life of Muhammad. This is supported in the hadith when the prophet mentions that "a hole has been made in the wall containing the Ya'juj and Ma'juj", indicating the size of the hole with his thumb and index finger. Their release will occur forty years prior to the Last Judgment:[21]


—Qur'an 21:96 [41]

They will ravage the earth. Ultimately, Allah will send worms and insects to destroy them.[21]

Major events[edit]

Desertion of Medina / Destruction of Mecca / Beast of the Earth[edit]

The fifth sign is that Medinah will be deserted, and all that remains in the city will be date palms. The just will have gone to join Mahdi, and the evil to Dajjal. Medinah will have been depopulated for forty years by the time of al-Qiyama. The sixth sign is that a thin ruler with short legs from Ethiopia will attack Mecca and destroy the Kabah.

The seventh sign is written in the Ahadith, and is the appearance of the da'ba-tul-ard, or the Beast of the Earth, who will populate the entire world and judge the wicked:

And when the Word is fulfilled against [the unjust], We shall produce from the earth a Beast to [face] them: he will speak to them, for that mankind did not believe with assurance in our Signs.

—Qur'an 27:82

The entire world will be engulfed by dukhan, or smoke, for forty days and there will be three huge earthquakes.[23][42] The Qur'an will be taken to the heavens and even the huffaz will not recall its verses. Finally, a pleasant breeze will blow that shall cause all believers to die, but infidels and sinners will remain alive. A fire will start from Hadramawt in Yemen that shall gather all the people of the world in the land of Mahshar, and al-Qiyamah will commence.[21]

Separation of the righteous and the damned at al-Qiyamah[edit]


The ninth sign is the rising of the sun from the West after a long night, which after midday will set again. According to Hadith:


—Ibn Maja, as-Sunan, vol. 2 p 1352-53[21]

The final signs will be nafkhatu'l-ula, when the trumpet will be sounded for the first time, and which will result in the death of the remaining sinners. Then there will be a period of forty years. Then a second trumpet will sound to signal the resurrection. As written in the Qur'an:


—Sura 39 (Az-Zumar), ayah 68[43]

Finally, there will be no more injustice:


—Sura 4 An-Nisa, ayah 40[44]

Resurrection of the dead[edit]

In the Qur'an, barzakh (Arabic: برزخ‎) is the intermediate state in which nafs of the deceased are held between realities to rest with loved ones until Qiyamah.[45][46][46][47][48]

The eleventh sign is the second sounding of the trumpet, at which time the dead will be resurrected as ba'as ba'da'l-mawt. All will be naked and running to the Place of Gathering, while the enemies of Allah will be travelling on their faces with their legs upright.

At divine judgment, each person's Book of Deeds will be read, in which 'every small and great thing is recorded',[49] will be read, with actions before adolescence not written. Records shall be given in the right hand if they are good, and the left if they are evil. Even the smallest acts will not be ignored:


—Qur'an, sura 99 Az-Zalzala, ayat 7-8[50]


Those who believe in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabians - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.

—Qur'an, sura 2 Al-Baqara, ayah 62[51]

The dead will stand in a grand assembly, awaiting a scroll detailing their righteous deeds, sinful acts and ultimate judgment.[52][53] Muhammad will be the first to be resurrected.[54]

If one did good deeds, one would go to Jannah, and if unrighteous would go to Jahannam. Punishments will include adhab, or severe pain, and khizy or shame.[55][55] There will also be a punishment of the grave (for those who disbelieved) between death and the resurrection.[56]

Comparison with Christianity[edit]

While appearing similar to certain parts of the Bible (Ezekiel,[57] James,[58] 1 Peter,[59] Revelation[60]), this is dissimilar to some Protestant branches of Christianity, where salvation comes by faith in Jesus alone. Catholics, however, cite James 2:24[61] as evidence that judgment is not based on faith alone. Islam emphasizes that grace does not conflict with perfect justice.

Islamic eschatology in literature[edit]

Ibn al-Nafis wrote of Islamic eschatology in Theologus Autodidactus (circa 1270 CE), where he used reason, science, and early Islamic philosophy to explain how he believed al-Qiyamah would unfold, told in the form of a theological fiction novel.[62]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ "Major Signs before the Day of Judgment". Shaykh Ahmad Ali. 
  2. ^ "Signs of Qiyaamah". 
  3. ^ Hasson, Isaac. Last Judgment. Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an. 
  4. ^ a b c Gardet, L. Qiyama. Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an. 
  5. ^ a b Quran 74:38
  6. ^ a b Quran 71:18
  7. ^ a b Quran 31:34
  8. ^ a b Quran 74:47
  9. ^ a b Quran 2:8
  10. ^ a b Yahya, Harun (12 May 2010). Portents And Features Of The Mahdi’s Coming. Global Publishing. Kindle Edition. 
  11. ^
  12. ^ a b c d e Richardson, Joel (7 April 2006). Antichrist: Islam's Awaited Messiah. Pleasant Word-A Division of WinePress Publishing. p. 284. 
  14. ^ Quran 33:63
  15. ^ Quran 6:57
  16. ^ Quran 10:45
  17. ^ Quran 28:88
  18. ^ Quran 17:49
  19. ^ Quran 11:17 
  20. ^ a b c d Hooper, Rev. Richard (20 April 2011). End of Days: Predictions of the End From Ancient Sources. Sedona, AZ. p. 156. 
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i Yahya, Harun (1 January 2008). Clarity Amidst Confusion: Imam Mahdi and the End of Time. Global Publishing. Kindle Edition. p. 64. 
  25. ^ Quran 21:96
  26. ^ Javed Ahmad Ghamidi. Islam: A Concise Introduction. p. 46. 
  27. ^ Quran 27:82
  28. ^ "طلوع الشمس من مغربها" [Rising of the sun from the west] (in Arabic).  Unknown parameter |s= ignored (help)
  29. ^ Alwi Shihab. Examining Islam in the West. p. 16. 
  31. ^ a b c d Waldman, Marilyn Robinson. "Eschatology: Islamic Eschatology". Encyclopedia of Religion. Detroit: Macmillan Reference. Retrieved 1. 
  32. ^ a b Arjomand, Said Amir (Dec 2007). "Islam in Iran vi., the Concept of Mahdi in Sunni Islam". Encyclopaedia Iranica XIV (Fasc. 2): 134–136. 
  33. ^ Peterson, Daniel C. "Eschatology". Oxford Islamic Studies. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islamic Studies. Retrieved 2. 
  34. ^ Rogers, Ed (26 Oct 2011). Islam and the Last days. Connection Publishing. 
  36. ^ Quran. "al-Imran 3:55". 
  37. ^ Poston, Larry (January 2010). "The Second Coming of ‘Isa: an Exploration of Islamic Premillennialism". The Muslim World 100: 108–109. 
  38. ^ Oxford Islamic Studies Online. "Eschatology". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 5. 
  39. ^ Leaman, Oliver. "Dajjāl, Al-". The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 5. 
  40. ^
  41. ^ Khan, Muhammad Muhsin (trans.) (23 Feb,). The Holy Qur'an. B007D64VX6. 
  42. ^ Quran 44:10
  43. ^ Quran 39:68
  44. ^ Quran 4:40 (Translated by Shakir)
  45. ^ "Saudi Arabia Ministry of religious affairs". 
  46. ^ a b "Tafseer Ibn Katheer (23-100)". 
  47. ^ "Tafseer Ibn Katheer (25:53)". 
  48. ^ "Tafseer Ibn Katheer (25:53)(55:19)". 
  49. ^ Quran 54:52–53
  50. ^ Quran 99:7–8
  51. ^ Quran 2:62
  52. ^ [Quran 74:38]
  55. ^ a b "Reward and Punishment", Encyclopedia of the Qur'an(2005)
  56. ^ Leor Halevi,
  57. ^ Ezekiel 18:27
  58. ^ James 2:14-2:17
  59. ^ 1 Peter 2:23
  60. ^ Revelation 2:23
  61. ^ James 2:24


External links[edit]