Day of Judgment:

The Day of Judgment: Its Time and Reality

Understanding what is hidden, what is revealed, and how believers should prepare

Introduction

Belief in the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah) is a pillar of faith. While the Qur’an and Sunnah describe its signs and sequence of events, the exact time of the Hour remains a secret known only to Allah. The believer’s duty is to affirm its certainty, prepare for its arrival, and reject false claims about its timing.

The Time of the Hour

The exact timing of the Day of Judgment is unknown. Allah alone has kept this knowledge for Himself.

“They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): ‘When will be its appointed time?’ Say: ‘The knowledge thereof is with my Lord alone. None can reveal its time but He.’” Qur’an 7:187

The Prophet ﷺ taught that it will occur on a Friday.

“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Hour will not be established except on Friday.” Sahih Muslim 854

Sequence of Events on the Day of Resurrection

1. Resurrection and gathering
   People will rise from their graves and be driven to the land of gathering.

2. The Prophet’s cistern (Hawd)
   The believers who held fast to the Sunnah will drink and never thirst again.

3. The Great Intercession
   The Prophet ﷺ will intercede with Allah to begin the reckoning for all creation.

4. Examination of deeds
   Actions will be reviewed in detail, starting with obligations like prayer.

5. Distribution of records
   The righteous will receive their books in the right hand, while others receive them in the left.

6. Second reckoning
   Excuses will be removed, and every proof will be established from the records.

7. The Balance (Mizan)
   Good and bad deeds will be weighed with perfect justice.

8. People are divided under banners
   Nations and groups will gather under the banners of their Prophets.

9. Darkness before Hell
   Hypocrites will lose their light, while believers are granted light to continue.

10. Crossing the Sirat
    Believers will cross according to their deeds; hypocrites and sinners will fall.

11. Settling of disputes
    Believers will purify their hearts of grudges before entering Paradise.

12. The poor enter first
    The poor Muhajirun, Ansar, and then the poor of the Ummah will enter before the wealthy.

Questions on the Day of Judgment

• In the grave: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet?
• On the Day of Resurrection:
  • Prayer (first matter examined).
  • Life: how it was spent.
  • Youth: how it was used.
  • Wealth: how it was earned and spent.
  • Knowledge: how it was acted upon.
  • Nations: “What answer did you give to the Messengers?”

Signs of the Day of Judgment

Minor Signs

• The Prophet’s mission and death ﷺ
  His coming was itself a sign of the Hour; his death marked the start of the countdown.

• Conquest of Jerusalem
  Fulfilled during the era of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه.

• Plague of ‘Amwas in Palestine
  A devastating epidemic that struck early Muslims.

• Wealth becoming abundant
  People will reach a stage where charity is no longer needed.

• Early tribulations
  Fitnah, such as the killing of ‘Uthman and the battle of Siffin, tore the Ummah apart.

• False prophets like Musaylimah
  Liars appeared claiming prophethood after the Prophet ﷺ.

• Fire in Hijaz (654 AH in Madinah)
  A great fire witnessed from far away, recorded by scholars.

• Loss of trust and ignorance
  Leadership was handed to the unqualified, and knowledge was removed with the death of scholars.

• Spread of zina, riba, music, and alcohol
  Sins become normalized and openly practiced.

• Tall buildings by shepherds
  Nomads will compete in building skyscrapers.

• Disobedient children treat parents like slaves
  Respect for parents declines as children rebel.

• Widespread killing and earthquakes
  Bloodshed increases and the earth trembles frequently.

• Transformations and stones from heaven
  Punishments such as landslides and pelting from the sky.

• Women clothed yet naked
  Women wear revealing clothing while appearing “covered.”

• Believer’s dreams coming true
  The visions of the righteous are fulfilled as prophecy fades.

• False testimony is widespread
  Lies in court and denial of truth become common.

• Women outnumber men
  Ratios shift until women vastly outnumber men.

• Arabia is turning green with rivers
  Desert land becomes fertile again with vegetation.

• Euphrates uncovers a mountain of gold
  A treasure emerges, causing massive conflict.

• Animals and objects speaking
  Signs of the unseen where creation itself speaks.

• Romans are increasing and fighting the Muslims
  Western powers grow and clash with the Ummah.

• Conquest of Constantinople
  The final Muslim conquest of Istanbul.

Major Signs

• The Dajjal (Antichrist)
  A deceiver with great powers, the greatest trial for humanity.

• Descent of ‘Isa ibn Maryam عليه السلام
  Jesus will return, kill the Dajjal, and restore justice.

• Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog)
  Barbaric tribes will swarm the earth with destruction.

• Three landslides: east, west, Arabia
  Massive earth-shattering collapses in three regions.

• The smoke
  Thick smoke will cover the earth as a sign of the Hour.

• The sun rising from the west
  Repentance will no longer be accepted after this sign.

• The Beast of the Earth
  A creature will emerge, speaking to people and marking them.

• The fire was driving people to the gathering place
  A fire will herd people to the place of resurrection.

Our Responsibility

The hidden timing of the Hour is a test. Preparation means:

• Guarding prayer and worship.
• Repenting and seeking forgiveness.
• Spending and earning wealth lawfully.
• Acting upon knowledge with sincerity.

“So that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you.” Qur’an 57:23

Addressing Misconceptions

• Setting dates: False and against the Qur’an and Sunnah.
• Fatalism: Preparation is required; no excuse for neglect.
• Speculating about nations: Only Allah knows who remains at the Hour.
• Despair in trials: Belief in the Hour brings patience, not hopelessness.

References

Primary Sources

• Qur’an 7:187 : Knowledge of the Hour belongs only to Allah.
• Qur’an 28:65 : Nations will be asked about their response to Messengers.
• Qur’an 57:23 : Belief in decree prevents despair and arrogance.
• Sahih Muslim 854 : The Hour will occur on a Friday.
• Sunan Abu Dawud 864 : Prayer is the first deed accounted for.
• Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 2422 : Five questions: life, youth, wealth, knowledge, and deeds.

Secondary Sources

• Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim
• Al-Qurtubi, Al-Tadhkirah fi Ahwal al-Mawta wa Umur al-Akhirah
• Ibn Abi al-‘Izz, Sharh al-‘Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah