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In Islam, Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment, they will be judged by Allah based on their good and bad deeds. However, no Muslim can predict their result on that day. As Muslims, they can only strive to live righteously in this world, hoping their deeds will be revealed as good.
This article explains what happens on the Day of Judgement, the signs that lead up to it, and answers common questions such as when the Day of Judgement will be and whether the Day of Judgement is near.
In Islam, the Day of Judgment, also known as Yawm al-Qiyamah, is the day when all humans will be brought back to life and assembled for judgment. Based on the balance of their deeds, individuals will either be rewarded with entry into Jannah (paradise) or punished with entry into Jahannam (hell).
Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds will be granted eternal happiness, while those whose bad deeds prevail will face suffering. The Qur'an and Hadith describe this process as meticulous and fair, where even the smallest actions are accounted for.
As it is written in the Quran:
“So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.”
(Surah Al-Zalzalah, verse 7-8)
The Qur’an uses several names and descriptions for the Day of Judgment, each highlighting a different aspect of it:
a. Yawm al-Qiyamah (يوم القيامة) – The Day of Resurrection (Qur’an 22:7)
b. As-Sa‘ah (الساعة) – The Hour (Qur’an 7:187)
c. Yawm ad-Din (يوم الدين) – The Day of Recompense (Qur’an 1:4)
d. Yawm al-Hasrah (يوم الحسرة) – The Day of Regret (Qur’an 19:39)
e. Yawm al-Hisab (يوم الحساب) – The Day of Reckoning (Qur’an 14:41)
f. Yawm al-Fasl (يوم الفصل) – The Day of Separation/Decision (Qur’an 37:21)
g. Yawm al-Jam‘ (يوم الجمع) – The Day of Gathering (Qur’an 64:9)
Each of these names reflects the gravity of that day: a time of resurrection, accountability, regret, justice, and final decision.
The exact time of the Day of Judgment is unknown and is only known to Allah. This is emphasised in various Qur'anic verses and Hadith. For example, in the Quran, it is stated:
“They ask you about the Hour: when will be its appointed time? Say: The knowledge of it is with my Lord alone.”
(Surah Al-A'raf, verse 187)
Muslims can only get ready for the Day of Judgment by living well and following their faith, no matter when it happens. However, through the Quran and Sunnah, Muslims have been taught that there are numerous signs and signals they should also pay attention to that indicate how close the Day of Judgement is. These signs are split between ‘minor’ and ‘major’ signs. We’ll explore both of these types of signs further in this blog.
Before the Day of Judgment arrives, several minor signs will show that the final hour is near. In fact scholars have agreed on a total of twenty-eight of these signs. We will explore a few but you can see the full list here. These signs, mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith, act as warnings of the end times. Here are these signs in detail:
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“One of the signs of the Hour is that people will be more concerned with wealth and material possessions, and less concerned with their religious duties.”
(Muslim)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“When honesty is lost, then wait for the Hour.”
(Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“There will be many false prophets among my followers before the Hour comes.”
(Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Before the Hour comes, there will be many earthquakes.”
(Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The Hour will not be established until there is much killing.”
(Bukhari)
In addition to the minor signs, there are ten major signs that will clearly show the Day of Judgment is coming. We will review a few of them, but you can see the full list here. Here are the main ones:
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The Mahdi is one of us, the Ahl al-Bayt. Allah will rectify him in one night.”
(Abu Dawood)
The Mahdi is a special leader in Islam who is expected to come before the end of the world. He will bring justice and fix the problems in the world. He is believed to be from the family of the Prophet Muhammad and will lead Muslims during a time of great trouble.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“There will arise in my Ummah thirty Dajjals, all of whom will claim to be a prophet.”
(Ibn Majah)
The Dajjal is a false messiah or deceiver who will appear before the end of the world. He will try to mislead people and create chaos. In Islamic tradition, the Dajjal will be defeated by Prophet Jesus (Isa) when he returns.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The Hour will not begin until the people of Gog and Magog are unleashed.”
(Muslim)
Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) are two groups of people who are currently blocked behind a barrier. Before the end of the world, they will break free and cause a lot of trouble and destruction. Their release is a major sign of the approaching end times.
“When the word (of the time of destruction) has come upon them, We will bring forth a moving creature from the earth (Dabbah) who will tell them that the people have not believed in Our verses.”
(Surah An-Naml, verse 82)
Dabbat al-Ard is a mysterious creature that will appear near the end of the world. This beast will come from the earth and speak to people. It is one of the signs that show the world is coming to an end.
“So watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke. Covering the people; this is a painful punishment.”
(Surah Ad-Dukhan, verse 10-11)
The smoke mentioned in Islamic teachings is a thick, dark haze that will cover the earth. It is a sign of trouble and a warning that the end of the world is near. The smoke will be distressing and show that significant changes are coming.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the west.”
(Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“A fire will burn in the Hijaz, and people will gather around it."
(Bukhari)
The Great Fire is a huge fire that will happen before the end of the world. It will be so big that people will gather around it. This fire represents destruction and is a sign that the final events are approaching.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, son of Maryam will shortly descend among you and will judge mankind justly.”
(Bukhari)
Scholars caution against trying to predict precisely which major signs remain or how many signs are left. The order of some signs is known from hadith, but the wider timing and which minor signs have fully occurred are not for people to determine with certainty.
On minor signs, many have occurred across history, and some are ongoing (for example, the spread of ignorance, the increase in killing, prevalence of intoxicants). Different scholars classify a number of hadith as “minor signs” that either have already happened, are occurring, or will occur close to the Hour. But there is no single authoritative count of “how many of the minor signs remain.
The Day of Judgment in Islam is a significant event where all actions will be judged by Allah, determining one’s eternal fate. While the exact timing is unknown, there are minor and major signs of doomsday that provide warnings of its approach. Understanding these signs and living righteously can help Muslims prepare for this pivotal day. Recognising these signs helps individuals stay mindful and proactive in their faith.
If you want to learn how to live righteously like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), you can check out Routine, Productivity, and the Prophetic Lifestyle here.
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