Introduction...

 
The signs of the day of Judgment have been mentioned in the Quran as well as Hadith. They are divided into major and minor sign by the scholars and are as follows:

The Minor Signs of the Last Day

Qiyamah will come when...

Abu Musa Ash'ari (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammed  said, "Qiyamah will come...

    * When it will be regarded as a shame to act on Quranic injunctions.
    * When untrustworthy people will be regarded as trustworthy and the trustworthy will be regarded as untrustworthy.
    * When it will be hot in winter (and vice versa).
    * When the length of days is stretched, i.e. a journey of a few days is covered in a matter of hours.
    * When orators and lecturers lie openly.
    * When people dispute over petty issues.
    * When women with children come displeased on account of them bearing offspring, and barren women remain happy on    account of having no responsibility of offspring.
    * When oppression, jealousy, and greed become the order of the day.
    * When people blatantly follow their passions and whims.
    * When lies prevail over the truth.
    * When violence, bloodshed and anarchy become common.
    * When immorality overtakes shamelessness and is perpetrated publicly.
    * When legislation matters pertaining to Deen is handed over to the worst elements of the Ummah (nation), and if people accept them and are satisfied with their findings, then such persons will not smell the fragrance of Jannah (Paradise).
    * When the offspring become a cause of grief and anger (for their parents).

The following is part of a lengthy Hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (R.A.) when he inquired from Prophet Mohammed about the Signs of Qiyamah.

    * Music and musical instruments will be found in every home.
    * People will indulge in homosexuality.
    * There will be an abundance of illegitimate children.
    * There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, back- biters and taunters in society.
    * People will establish ties with strangers and sever relations with their near and dear ones.
    * Hypocrites will be in control of the affairs of the community and evil, immoral people will be at the helm of business establishments.
    * The Mosques will be decorated, but the hearts of the people will be devoid of guidance.
    * The courtyards of Mosques will be built beautifully and high mimbars (pulpits) will be erected.
    * Gangsters and evil people will prevail.
    * Various wines will be consumed excessively.

Auf bin Malik (R.A.) says: I came to Prophet Mohammed  while he was in his skin tent during the Tabuk expedition. He said to me, "Count six things before the advent of Qiyamah:

    1 My death
    2 The conquest of Jerusalem
    3 Mass deaths amongst you people, just as when sheep die in large numbers during an epidemic
    4 Abundance of wealth to such an extent that if a person were to be given a hundred Dinars he will still not be satisfied
    5 General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it
    6 Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar
    (Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an army of twelve thousand men." (Hadith: Sahih Bukhari).

IRAQ and SYRIA

Abu Nadhrah says: "We were sitting in the company of Jabir bin Abdullah (R.A.) when he said: 'Soon the people of IRAQ will neither receive any food (grain) nor any money.'" We asked, "Why would such a thing happen?" He replied, "Because of the non-Arabs." (i.e. they will prevent food from going into Iraq, in the form of "sanctions" to this day.) He then said: "Soon the people of Shaam (SYRIA) will neither receive any money nor grain." We asked as to why this would happen. He replied: "Because of the Romans (Christians)."

CONCEITED PEOPLE

Abbas (R.A) narrates that Prophet Mohammed  has said, "Islam will spread far and wide, across the seas. Horses will cross the land and seas in the cause of Jihaad. Then a time will come wherein a group of people will emerge which recites the Quran. They will claim,

    'We have recited the Quran and is there anyone who understands the Quran better than us? There is NO ONE more proficient than us in the study of the Quran.'

Then Prophet Mohammed  asked the Sahaba, "Do you see any good in their claims?" The Sahaba replied, "No". Prophet Mohammed  said, "But these conceited claimants will be from my Ummah and will be the fuel of the Fire."

The Major Signs of the Last Day

After the lesser signs of the Hour appear and increase, mankind will have reached a stage of great suffering. Then the awaited Mahdi will appear, he is the first of the greater, and clear, signs of the Hour. There will be no doubt about his existence, but this will only be clear to the knowledgeable people. The Mahdi will rule until the False Messiah Al-Masih al Dajjal appears who will spread oppression and corruption. The only ones who will know him well and avoid his evil will be those who have great knowledge and imam.

The false Messiah will remain for a while, then the gog and magog will appear nearly destroying mankind completely. Then the Messiah Isa will descend, bringing justice from heaven. He will kill the Dajjal, and pray to Allah to rid the world of gog and magog (who will appear after the dajjal) there will be years of safety and security.

This state of affairs will continue for some years, until the death of Isa The Ulama differ concerning the order in which the other greater signs of the Hour will come about. They are:

  • The destruction of the Ka'ba and the recovery of its treasure.

  • The rising of the sun from the west.

  • The emergence of the Beast from the earth.

  • The smoke.

  • A wind will take the souls of the believers.

  • The Qu'ran will be taken up into heaven.

  • A fire will drive the people to their last gathering place.

  • The Trumpet will be sounded: at the first sound everyone will feel terror, at the second sound all will be struck down; at the last sound all will be resurrected.