Signs of the Day of Judgement: A Comprehensive Guide from Quran & Sunnah
“Indeed, the Hour is coming — I almost conceal it — so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.” — Quran, Surah Ta-Ha (20:15)
Introduction
The Day of Judgement — known in Arabic as Yawm al-Qiyamah — is one of the six pillars of Islamic faith. Every Muslim is required to believe in it with absolute certainty. Allah ﷻ has, out of His infinite wisdom, kept the exact timing of the Hour hidden from all of creation — including the angels and the prophets. However, He did not leave us without guidance. Through the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we have been given detailed signs that will appear before the Hour arrives.
These signs serve a profound purpose: they are divine warnings for humanity to reflect, repent, and return to the straight path before it is too late.
The scholars of Islam have divided the Signs of the Hour into two major categories:
- Minor Signs (Ashraat al-Sa’ah al-Sughra) — Events that appear early, some of which have already occurred
- Major Signs (Ashraat al-Sa’ah al-Kubra) — Ten great events that will occur in close succession near the very end of time
The Quran on the Day of Judgement
Allah ﷻ repeatedly emphasises the certainty of the Hour throughout the Quran:
“The Hour has come near, and the moon has split.” — Quran, Surah Al-Qamar (54:1)
“They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him.'” — Quran, Surah Al-A’raf (7:187)
“So be not in doubt about it. Follow what I reveal to you. And be patient until Allah judges; He is the best of judges.” — Quran, Surah Yunus (10:109)
The Minor Signs of the Hour
The minor signs are numerous. Many have already appeared, some are ongoing, and others are yet to come. Below are the most significant ones, drawn from authentic hadith.
1. The Sending of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ himself said:
“I have been sent while the Hour is like these two — pointing to his index and middle fingers.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 6503 | Sahih Muslim, 2951
The very arrival of the Final Messenger is itself considered the first of the minor signs.
2. The Death of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Count six signs before the Hour: my death, then the conquest of Jerusalem, then a plague that will kill you in great numbers like the plague that kills sheep, then the increase of wealth until a man is given one hundred dinars and he is still not satisfied, then a fitnah (tribulation) that will enter every Arab household, then a truce between you and the Romans (non-Muslims) which they will betray…” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 3176
3. Widespread Moral Corruption and Shamelessness
The Prophet ﷺ warned:
“Among the signs of the Hour: religious knowledge will disappear, ignorance will prevail, fornication will become widespread, drinking of alcohol will become widespread, the number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until for every fifty women there will be one man looking after them.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 81 | Sahih Muslim, 2671
We observe this in:
- The normalisation of immorality in public and social media
- The decline of Islamic scholarship and religious literacy
- The open glorification of sins
4. The Proliferation of Bloodshed and Killing
“The Hour will not begin until killing becomes widespread.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 7061
“By Him in Whose hand my soul is, the world will not end until a time comes when the killer will not know why he has killed, and the victim will not know why he has been killed.” — Sahih Muslim, 2908
Wars, terrorism, and senseless violence across the globe are solemn reminders of this prophecy.
5. The Disappearance of Trustworthiness (Amanah)
“When amanah (trustworthiness) is lost, then await the Hour.” A man asked: “How will it be lost?” He ﷺ said: “When authority is given to those who do not deserve it, then await the Hour.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 59
This refers to leaders, judges, and public officials who are dishonest, incompetent, or corrupt.
6. The Barefoot Shepherds Competing in Tall Buildings
“…you will see the barefoot, naked, destitute shepherds competing in constructing tall buildings.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 50 | Sahih Muslim, 8 (From the famous Hadith of Jibreel ﷺ)
Scholars have noted the remarkable resemblance of this prophecy to the rapid construction boom in the Arabian Peninsula — nations that were once Bedouin desert dwellers now boasting some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
7. Time Will Pass Quickly
“The Hour will not begin until time passes quickly. A year will be like a month, a month will be like a week, a week will be like a day, a day will be like an hour, and an hour will be like the burning of a braided palm leaf.” — Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2332 | Authenticated by al-Albani
Many people today feel that days, months, and years pass with astonishing speed — a reality that aligns with this profound prophecy.
8. Widespread Earthquakes
“The Hour will not begin until earthquakes increase in number.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 1036
The modern age has seen a dramatic increase in seismic activity around the globe.
9. Women Will Be Dressed Yet Undressed
“There will be women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait, with something on their heads like the humps of camels. They will not enter Paradise, nor even smell its fragrance.” — Sahih Muslim, 2128
This hadith describes a culture of revealing fashion — women who dress but still expose their bodies — a phenomenon that has become globally normalised.
10. People Will Abandon Prayers and Follow Desires
Allah ﷻ says in the Quran:
“But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and followed desires; so they are going to meet evil.” — Quran, Surah Maryam (19:59)
The widespread abandonment of Salah and following of personal desires over divine guidance is one of the clearest signs visible today.
11. The Slave Woman Will Give Birth to Her Master
“…and when you see the slave-woman give birth to her mistress (or master)…” — Sahih Muslim, 8 (Hadith of Jibreel)
Scholars have interpreted this as children disrespecting and dominating their parents, treating them like servants — a crisis of filial piety clearly visible in modern societies.
12. Knowledge Will Be Taken Away
“Allah does not take away knowledge by stripping it from the hearts of people, but He takes it away by taking away the scholars, until no scholar is left. Then the people will take ignorant leaders who, when asked, give religious verdicts without knowledge — they are misguided and misguide others.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 100 | Sahih Muslim, 2673
13. Abundance of Wealth and Refusal of Charity
“The Hour will not begin until wealth increases and becomes abundant, and until the owner of wealth worries about who will accept his charity.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 1036
A world of billionaires yet poverty still exists — wealth is concentrated but hearts are closed to generosity.
14. The Appearance of False Prophets (Dajjals)
“The Hour will not begin until about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear, each one claiming to be the messenger of Allah.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 3609 | Sahih Muslim, 157
History has recorded many such false claimants, and they continue to emerge.
The Major Signs of the Hour
The major signs are ten in number. They will occur in close, rapid succession — one following the other like the beads of a broken necklace. The Prophet ﷺ described them:
“The signs will come one after another like beads falling from a string.” — Sunan Ibn Majah, 4055 | Authenticated by al-Albani
The ten major signs are:
1. 🌫️ The Smoke (Ad-Dukhan)
“Then watch for a Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke, covering the people; this is a painful torment.” — Quran, Surah Ad-Dukhan (44:10-11)
A massive, suffocating smoke will envelop the earth, afflicting disbelievers severely while only giving believers something like a mild cold.
2. 🦁 The Beast of the Earth (Dabbat al-Ard)
“And when the Word befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, [saying] that the people were not certain of Our signs.” — Quran, Surah An-Naml (27:82)
A great creature will emerge from the earth, marking believers and stamping disbelievers, distinguishing between the two in a way all can see.
3. ☀️ The Rising of the Sun from the West
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The Hour will not begin until the sun rises from the west. When it rises from the west and the people see it, they will all believe — but that will be when faith will not benefit a soul that had not believed before.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 4636 | Sahih Muslim, 157
This is one of the most dramatic cosmic signs — a complete reversal of nature’s order, marking the closure of the door of repentance forever.
4. 👁️ The Descent of ‘Isa (Jesus) ﷺ
“And indeed, Jesus will be a sign for the [coming of the] Hour, so be not in doubt of it.” — Quran, Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:61)
“By Him in Whose hand my soul is, Ibn Maryam (Jesus) will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break the cross, kill the pig, abolish the jizyah, and wealth will pour forth so much that no one will accept it…” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 2222 | Sahih Muslim, 155
‘Isa ﷺ will descend near the white minaret in Damascus, Syria. He will lead the Muslims in prayer, slay the Dajjal, and establish justice on earth for 40 years.
5. 🐴 The Emergence of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog)
“Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend.” — Quran, Surah Al-Anbiya (21:96)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Ya’juj and Ma’juj will be released and they will swarm down from every slope. The first of them will pass the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and drink it dry, and the last of them will pass and say: ‘There was once water here.'” — Sahih Muslim, 2937
They will cause catastrophic destruction across the earth until Allah destroys them with a worm in their necks.
6. 🌍 Three Great Landslides (Khusuf)
Three catastrophic landslides (or sinkings of the earth) will occur:
- One in the East
- One in the West
- One in the Arabian Peninsula
(Referenced in Sahih Muslim, 2901 — from the hadith of Hudhayfah ibn Usayd)
7. 🔥 A Fire from Yemen
A great fire will emerge from the direction of Yemen, driving people towards the plain of Resurrection (Mahshar).
“…and the last of them will be a fire that will emerge from Yemen and drive the people to their place of gathering.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 3329 | Sahih Muslim, 2901
8. ⚔️ The Dajjal (The False Messiah / Antichrist)
The Dajjal is the greatest trial humanity will ever face. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There has been no prophet between Adam and myself, and there will be no prophet after me. Verily, the Dajjal will emerge among you. He is one-eyed, and your Lord is not one-eyed. Written between his eyes is ‘Kafir’ (disbeliever), which every believer, literate or illiterate, will be able to read.” — Sahih Muslim, 2933
Key attributes of the Dajjal:
- He is one-eyed (his right eye is blind like a floating grape)
- He will claim to be a prophet, then claim to be God
- He will perform miracles to mislead people
- He will be followed by 70,000 Jews of Isfahan and masses of misguided people
- He will reign for 40 days (first day like a year, second like a month, third like a week, then normal days)
- He will be killed by ‘Isa ﷺ at the gate of Ludd (Lod, Palestine)
Protection from the Dajjal:
“Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal.” — Sahih Muslim, 809
9. 🕌 The Mahdi
Though not listed among the ten major signs as a standalone event, the Mahdi is intricately connected. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The Mahdi is from my lineage, from the descendants of Fatimah.” — Sunan Abu Dawud, 4284 | Authenticated by al-Albani
“The Mahdi will appear in my Ummah. He will last at least seven, or eight, or nine years. My Ummah will enjoy a time of ease such as they have never enjoyed. The sky will rain abundantly, the earth will not withhold any of its plants, and wealth will be given in handfuls…” — Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2232 | Authenticated by scholars
10. 💨 A Pleasant Wind That Takes the Souls of Believers
Near the very end of time, before the trumpet is blown:
“Allah will send a cool wind from the direction of Syria. No one who has the slightest particle of goodness or faith in his heart will be left — it will take his soul. Then only the worst of people will remain, and upon them the Hour will begin.” — Sahih Muslim, 2940
What Should We Do?
These signs are not merely academic knowledge — they are urgent calls to action. The Prophet ﷺ advised:
“Be in the world as if you were a stranger or a wayfarer.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 6416
Here is what every Muslim should prioritise in light of these signs:
- Strengthen your Salah — It is the first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Judgement
- Seek Islamic knowledge — Before it disappears from the earth
- Recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday — As protection from the trials of the Dajjal
- Make abundant Du’a — Especially asking for steadfastness in faith
- Increase your Dhikr — Remember Allah in all states
- Build righteous character — Truthfulness, trustworthiness, and kindness are shields
- Prepare for death — For it may come before the major signs reach you
Allah ﷻ says:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].” — Quran, Surah Al-Imran (3:102)
Conclusion
The Signs of the Day of Judgement are not stories or myths — they are divine revelations confirmed through the most authentic sources in Islamic scholarship: the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Many have already come to pass with stunning accuracy. Others are unfolding before our eyes. And the greatest ones are yet to come.
Let each sign be a wake-up call. Let it soften our hearts, sharpen our focus on the Hereafter, and drive us to live our short lives in a manner pleasing to Allah ﷻ.
“And the Day the Hour appears — the criminals will swear they had not remained but an hour. Thus they were deluded.” — Quran, Surah Ar-Rum (30:55)
May Allah ﷻ make us among those who recognise the signs, heed the warnings, and stand before Him on that Great Day with a heart full of faith and deeds of righteousness. Ameen.
References & Sources
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Sahih al-Bukhari | Most authentic hadith collection by Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari |
| Sahih Muslim | Second most authentic hadith collection by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj |
| Sunan Abu Dawud | Major hadith collection by Imam Abu Dawud |
| Sunan al-Tirmidhi | Major hadith collection by Imam al-Tirmidhi |
| Sunan Ibn Majah | Major hadith collection by Imam Ibn Majah |
| The Holy Quran | Translations referenced from Sahih International |
| Scholars Referenced | Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Imam Ibn Kathir (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah), Sheikh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid (IslamQA), Sheikh al-Albani (hadith authentication) |