Signs of the Last Day

Overview and Categories

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described numerous signs that will precede the establishment of the Hour (al-Sa'ah). These signs are preserved in authentic hadiths — especially in the collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and al-Tirmidhi — and have been compiled and explained by scholars in dedicated works throughout Islamic history. They are divided into two broad categories: minor signs (ashrat al-sa'ah al-sughra), many of which have already occurred or are ongoing, and major signs (ashrat al-sa'ah al-kubra), which are ten specific events that will occur in rapid succession near the end of time.

Knowledge of these signs serves multiple spiritual functions: it strengthens faith in the truthfulness of the Prophet whose detailed predictions are being fulfilled, it reminds believers of the transience of this world, and it motivates urgent preparation for the akhirah.

Minor Signs

Many of the minor signs described by the Prophet have already occurred; others are ongoing. Notable examples include:

• The death of the Prophet himself and subsequent trials among the ummah
• The conquest of Jerusalem by the Muslims (fulfilled under Umar ibn al-Khattab)
• The spread of wealth, materialism, and competing in the construction of tall buildings (Sahih al-Bukhari 50)
• Widespread ignorance and the disappearance of religious knowledge
• The prevalence of alcohol, unlawful sexual relations, and music
• The loss of trust (amanah) from people's hearts
• Women outnumbering men drastically
• Earthquakes becoming frequent
• Time appearing to pass more quickly
• The widespread spread of tribulation and the killing of innocents (Sahih al-Bukhari 7121)

The Ten Major Signs

The Prophet enumerated ten major signs that mark the approach of the final Hour, after which the Day of Judgment itself will come (Sahih Muslim 2901):

• The appearance of the Dajjal (Masih al-Dajjal): A false messiah who will emerge claiming divinity, performing extraordinary feats, and leading vast numbers astray. The Prophet described him in extraordinary detail across many hadiths.
• The descent of Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary): He will descend near the white minaret east of Damascus, Syria (Sahih Muslim 2937). He will kill the Dajjal at the gate of Ludd (Lydda), break the cross (symbolically abolishing the distorted Christian doctrine), kill the swine, and abolish the jizyah — signaling that the time for Islam as the exclusive path of salvation has arrived. He will then rule with justice according to the Shariah of Muhammad (Sahih al-Bukhari 3448).
• The emergence of Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog): Two vast peoples who will pour down from every direction in enormous numbers, consuming the resources of the earth.
• The Dabbah (the Beast of the Earth): A creature that will emerge from the earth and mark believers and disbelievers.
• Three great earthquakes: One in the east, one in the west, and one on the Arabian Peninsula.
• A great smoke (Dukhan): That will cover the earth (Quran 44:10-11).
• The sun rising from the west: When this occurs, the door of repentance will be permanently closed.
• A fire in Yemen: That will drive all people to the place of their gathering.

The Return of Isa (Jesus) — A Pillar of Ahl us-Sunnah Belief

The return of Isa ibn Maryam is among the most firmly established beliefs of Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. The Quran affirms that Isa was not crucified and was raised to Allah alive: 'But they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him... Rather, Allah raised him to Himself' (Quran 4:157-158). The Quran also states: 'And indeed, Isa will be a sign of the Hour, so have no doubt about it' (Quran 43:61). Isa will descend, join the Muslim community in prayer (praying behind the Muslim imam), defeat the Dajjal, live for many years on earth, marry, have children, and then die a natural death — to be buried next to the Prophet Muhammad in Madinah, according to some narrations. This belief is consensus (ijma') among Ahl us-Sunnah and is not subject to allegorical reinterpretation.