Authentic Signs of the Day of Judgement

Introduction

What are the Signs of the Day of Judgement?

Allah says ⟪Then do they await except that the Hour should come upon them unexpectedly? But already there have come [some of] its signs. Then what good to them, when it has come, will be their remembrance?⟫ (47:18)

The signs of the Day of Judgement are descriptions of events and situations that happen before the Day of Judgement. Many signs were mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah, and many of them are popularly taught and learned.

Commonly, scholars divide signs of the Day of Judgement into minor and major signs. I will go further in this article and divide them into three groups:

1. The Minor Signs
   • The General Signs: General descriptions of what the world will be like or what people will do closer to the Day of Judgement.
   • The Minor Events and Wars: Specific descriptions of events or wars that will happen before the Day of Judgement that are not part of the Great War.
2. The Great War (also known as Armageddon): Description of the great war that will happen at the end of times including the Dajjal and Isa (AS).
3. The Final Signs: Descriptions of events that will happen after the great war and right before the Day of Judgement.

As one can expect, there is an amount of ijtihad involved in classifying a given sign into one of these categories. I will use my ijtihad for that classification.

Importance of Authentic Signs

The signs of the Day of Judgement were a subject that Christians and Jews, especially in the time of the Prophet (SAW) and after, used to love delving into. Many of their scriptures are written on this topic. As a result, a lot of information from the Israiliyyaat about the Day of Judgement entered into Islamic sources ever since the time of the companions.

If a person tried to combine all the Hasan and weak hadith about the signs of the Day of Judgement, he would understand nothing and leave more confused than when he started because of the amount of contradiction. Most of the details, despite being attributed to the Prophet (SAW), will have come from Israiliyyaat or other weak sources.

This makes it much more important to verify the authenticity of any sign reported about the Day of Judgement instead of blindly believing any hadith, if we are to attain a coherent understanding.

In this article, I endeavour to only discuss and include properly authentic signs of the Day of Judgement, even avoiding so-called Hasan hadith. This means relying largely on the hadith of Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. In sha Allah, that will give the reader a proper view of what the signs are.

The Purpose of Signs

Allah’s purpose in telling us about the signs of the Day of Judgement can be broadly divided into three reasons:

1. Prepare us so that we are not caught off guard
2. Increase our faith when we see those signs happening as predicted
3. Allow us to train and prepare to face those tests

Knowledge of the Hour Is Exclusive to Allah

It is not possible for anyone to know exactly when Qiyamah will happen or when any of its signs will happen.

Allah says ⟪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. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly.” They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, “Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know.”⟫ (7:187)

The purpose of signs is not to point exactly at one date or year. That is why no authentic hadith about the signs of the Day of Judgement is ever exact about time.

The Day of Judgement Is Near

Allah says ⟪The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two].⟫ (54:1)

The moon split as a miracle for the people of Makkah in the life of the Prophet (SAW).

Allah says ⟪People’s account has approached them, while they are in heedlessness turning away.⟫ (21:1)

The meaning of the Day of Judgement being near can be divided into three possible meanings:

1. Compared to the rest of human history, the time of this Ummah is the final stretch.
   • The Prophet (SAW) said, “I and the Hour were sent like this,” and he held up two of his fingers. (Sahih Bukhari)
2. It is very near in Allah’s perspective even though humans feel it is far away.
   • Allah says ⟪Indeed, they see it [as] distant, But We see it [as] near.⟫ (70:6-7)
   • Allah says ⟪And they urge you to hasten the punishment. But Allah will never fail in His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count.⟫ (22:47)
3. When you die, you will start facing consequences immediately. So, that is no different to the Day of Judgement being near.
   • Whenever Bedouins would come to the Prophet (SAW), they would ask him about the Hour, “When is the Hour?” So, the Prophet (SAW) would look for the youngest person among them and say, “If he lives (to adulthood), he will not reach old age except that your Hour will be established” (i.e. your death).

Minor Signs

The General Signs

Most of the signs of the Day of Judgement are general and not specific. That means they are general descriptions of what will happen and it is usually difficult to decide whether they were about a specific event or not. These are often called the minor signs.

Among the general signs are:

1. Time will pass rapidly
   • Possibly a reference to how screentime causes days to pass by quickly
2. Good deeds will decrease
   • Even pious people will do less good deeds than pious people in the past
3. Ignorance will become widespread
4. Knowledge will be lost
5. Zina will become prevalent
6. Wine will be widely spread
7. Killing and war will increase
8. There will be a lot of civil war between Muslims
9. There will be oppressive and unjust leaders
   • People asked the Prophet (SAW), “What should we do if we see this?” He said, “Give them their rights and ask Allah for your rights.” (Sahih Bukhari)
10. There will be thirty false prophets
11. A man will pass by a grave and wish he was in that grave instead
    • Possibly a reference to the confusion and civil war that a believer would wish he had died before facing this
12. Women will outnumber men 50 to 1
    • Possibly another reference to war and killing, since men dying in war will leave more women than men
13. A slave will give birth to her master
    • Possibly a reference to children disrespecting their parents and treating them as servants
14. Barefoot Bedouins will compete in building tall buildings
    • A reference to the Arab countries becoming wealthy
15. People from this Ummah will legalize wine, fornication, silk, and musical instruments
16. Earthquakes will increase
17. Wealth will become widespread
    • Possibly refers to a specific period of history when Muslims were prosperous or possibly a time in the future
18. Arabia will return to being rivers and meadows

These are the Sahih general signs of the Day of Judgement. There are other signs mentioned in Hasan or weak hadith which might be interesting to know, but delving into those would lengthen this article. All of the above signs can be found in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim.

The Minor Wars and Events

The Prophet (SAW) predicted many events about the future that would happen before the Day of Judgement. Many of those events already came to pass. Some of those events have not yet happened.

Examples of events that came to pass are the Prophet (SAW) predicting the martyrdom of Umar (RA), the conquest of Jerusalem, the plague of Amwas, and that there would be no Khosrow (Sassanid Persian king) after the current one is defeated. Listing all of these may be interesting but is not the purpose of this article.

Instead, I will list here some of the predicted events that have not yet come to pass. I will also include those events that some people have argued have already passed but it is possible to argue they have not.

Some of those events include:

1. A large war between two groups of Muslims
   • Either refers to a civil war in the past (like the one between the Sahabah) or something in the future
2. War with people whose faces look like shields and people whose sandals are made of hair and people with small eyes
   • Either refers to different groups or one group
   • Likely at least one of them refers to the Mongols or the Turks
3. War with the Jews ¹
   • Possibly part of the great war as we will see.
4. An Abyssinian with thin legs destroying the Kaabah ²
5. Treasure being found under the Euphrates
6. A fire from the Hijaz that will light the camels of Busra
   • Possibly referring to an eruption that happened near Madinah in 1256 CE.

Some of these events, as we will see, could also plausibly be from the Great War. There are other events mentioned in Hasan or weak hadith which I will not list.

Two Hadith of Huzaifah

Huzaifah ibn al-Yaman (RA) was a close companion of the Prophet (SAW) who was known as the secret-keeper of the Prophet (SAW). As such, he had a lot of intimate knowledge from the Prophet (SAW) about many subjects, including predictions about the future. There are two Sahih hadith in Bukhari and Muslim that are relevant to the minor signs of the Day of Judgement.

Huzaifah (RA) said:

People used to ask about the good, but I used to ask about the bad fearing that I would fall into it.

I said, “Messenger of Allah, we used to be in Jahiliyyah and evil, then Allah brought us this good. Will there be bad after this good?”

He said, “Yes.”

I asked, “Will there be good after that bad?”

He said, “Yes, but with a stain.”

I asked, “What will be the stain?”

He said, “People who don’t practice according to my Sunnah and don’t take guidance from my guidance. You will find some good from them and you will find evil in them.”

I asked, “Will there be evil after that good?”

He said, “Yes, there will be callers at the gate of Hell. Whoever responds to them will be thrown into it.”

I said, “Describe them for us, Messenger of Allah.”

He said, “They will be people with our skin speaking with our tongues.”

I asked, “What should I do if I see that?”

He (SAW) said, “Stick to the main body of Muslims and their leader.”

I asked, “What if there is no main body and no leader (i.e. there is a civil war)?”

He (SAW) said, “Then, leave all factions (i.e. don’t participate in civil wars) even if you have to (leave the cities and go to the desert and) eat the roots of trees until you die.”

Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

Huzaifah (RA) also said:

We were sitting with Umar (RA), and he said, “Who has memorized something from the Prophet (SAW) about the fitnah (tribulations/civil war)?”

I said, “A person’s fitnah (test) is in his family, his wealth, his children, and his neighbor. It is erased by prayer, fasting, charity, and commanding good and forbidding evil.”

Umar (RA) said, “That is not what I intended, but I meant the fitnah that will spread like the waves of the sea.”

I said, “You don’t have to worry about that, Amir ul-Mumineen. There is a closed door between you and it.”

He asked, “Will it be broken or opened?”

I said, “Broken.”

He said, “Then, it will never be closed again.”

(Some of the narrators asked Huzaifah about the door, and he said the door was Umar.)

(Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

This is a Sahih hadith.

Purpose of Minor Signs

Allah told us about the minor signs of the Day of Judgement so that we are always cognizant that the Day of Judgement is close and is yet coming closer. This should make us work harder and raise our iman.

Allah says about the Battle of Ahzab ⟪And when the believers saw the confederates, they said, “This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth.” And it increased them only in faith and acceptance.⟫ (33:22)

He told us so that we see the signs in front of us and correct ourselves and prepare ourselves, as individuals and as groups, for the coming Great War. There is no good to remembering when the Day of Judgement happens, so we must remember and correct ourselves when we see the signs.

Allah says ⟪Then do they await except that the Hour should come upon them unexpectedly? But already there have come [some of] its indications. Then what good to them, when it has come, will be their remembrance?⟫ (47:18)

Two (Problematic) Hadith of Major Signs

There are two famous hadith on the major signs of the Day of Judgement that are problematic in terms of their authenticity despite being in Sahih Muslim. Because of their problems, they should not be taken as seriously as Sahih hadith. However, I will mention their details in this article because of their popularity.

Hadith of Huzaifah

There is a famous hadith from Sahih Muslim narrated by Huzaifah ibn al-Yaman (RA):
The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Day of Judgement will not be established until 10 signs.” Then, he mentioned 1) the Smoke, 2) the Dajjal, 3) the Beast, 4) the sun rising from the West, 5) the descent of Isa (AS), 6) Yajuj and Majuj, 7) a landslide/earthquake in the East, 8) a landslide in the West, 9) a landslide in the Arabian peninsula, and 10) a fire from Yemen that will push people towards their place of resurrection. (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith is problematic. Bukhari did not include it in his Sahih for a variety of reasons, and Daruqutni criticized this hadith because other people narrated this from Huzaifah ibn al-Yaman as his own statement rather than from the Prophet (SAW). It is possible Huzaifah got information from the People of the Book in this hadith.

We will subsequently refer to this as the Hadith of Huzaifah.

Hadith of Abu Hurairah

Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “Race to do good deeds before six: 1) The sun rising from the West, 2) the smoke, 3) the Dajjal, 4) the beast, 5) your death, or 6) general war.” (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith has two Hasan chains.

We will subsequently refer to it as the Signs Hadith of Abu Hurairah.

Three (Problematic) Hadith of the Great War

There are three major hadith with a lot of detail about the Great War at the end of times in Sahih Muslim. All of them are problematic, but we will discuss them because they are in Sahih Muslim and are famous.

Hadith of Abu Hurairah

The hadith of Abu Hurairah (RA) discusses an army from Madinah fighting a war against the ‘Romans’, the events that precede the coming of the Dajjal, the coming of Dajjal, and the descent of Isa (AS) to fight him. (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith was narrated by Sulaiman ibn Bilal from Suhail from Abu Salih from Abu Hurairah.

Only one or two narrators transmitted the hadith from Sulaiman attributed to the Prophet (SAW), and no one else transmitted the hadith from Suhail, even though both Sulaiman and Suhail were major teachers of hadith with many students.

Some narrators also transmitted the hadith from Sulaiman as a statement of Abu Hurairah (RA). This is likely and explains why no one else transmitted the hadith. So, a lot of the details of this hadith may have come from Israiliyyaat that Abu Hurairah (RA) had learnt.

It is possible Imam Muslim only meant it as a supporting hadith for the idea that iman will return to Madinah and other provinces will become more controversial.

We will subsequently refer to this as the War Hadith of Abu Hurairah.

Hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr

There is another long hadith in Sahih Muslim, narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) from the Prophet (SAW), about the Dajjal and Isa (AS) but with more details about what happens after Isa (AS). (Sahih Muslim)

Yaqub ibn Asim narrated the hadith from Abdullah ibn Amr, and he was not a fully reliable narrator. He was to the level of Hasan at best.

We will subsequently refer to this as the Hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr.

Hadith of Nawwas

There is another long, famous hadith in Sahih Muslim, narrated by Nawwas ibn Sam’an (RA) from the Prophet (SAW). This hadith includes a long narrative about the wars of Dajjal, Isa (AS), and Yajuj and Majuj with many extraordinary details not supported by any other hadith. (Sahih Muslim)

Abd al-Rahman ibn Yazid ibn Jabir was alone in narrating this from Yahya ibn Jabir with a long chain to Nawwas. Some transmissions skip Yahya ibn Jabir from the chain. Yahya ibn Jabir was also not well-known as a precise narrator. Bukhari never included a hadith from him, and Muslim only included one hadith from him: this one.

The content of the hadith also has many indications of its unreliability, including even its uncharacteristic length, compared to all Sahih hadith about the end times being short.

It is likely Imam Muslim only included it for corroboration about the description of Dajjal, not as independent evidence in terms of its other content.

We will subsequently refer to this as the Hadith of Nawwas.

The Great War (Armageddon)

The Mahdi

Reports About the Mahdi

There is no authentic hadith about the Mahdi as a specific figure at the end of times who will lead the Muslims. There is especially no hadith in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim that directly refers to the Mahdi, but there are one or two hadith that are vague references according to some people. We will see one of them in the section about Isa (AS).

There are some debatable hadith outside the Sahihayn which some scholars claim might reach the level of Sahih when combined, however, all of them have weaknesses from one perspective or another perspective.

Most famous details about the Mahdi including references to black flags, specific events in his life, and even the title Mahdi are unproven even in Hasan hadith.

The only thing Sahih on the topic of the Mahdi are statements or perhaps hopes from some of the companions.

Filling the World With Justice

Abu Saeed al-Khudri (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “The world will be filled with oppression and evil, then a man from my family will come out and rule for seven or nine and fill it with justice.” (Musnad Ahmad)

Abu Harun al-Abdi, Matar al-Warraq, and Awf narrated this from Abu al-Sadeeq from Abu Saeed al-Khudri (RA). Abu Harun was considered a liar by many scholars. Matar and Awf were both bad in their memories.

Abu al-Sadeeq had good students like Qatadah and Walid ibn Muslim. None of them narrated this hadith from him. It is clear these weak narrators messed up the hadith somehow.

Similar narrations are reported from other chains to Abu Saeed al-Khudri, all of them weak. Some scholars have argued they can be combined to call them Sahih.

His Name

Ibn Masud (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “The world will not end until a man from my household rules the Arabs. His name will match my name, and his father’s name will match my father’s name.” (Sunan Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)

Aasim ibn Abi al-Najud narrated this from Zirr from Ibn Masud (RA).

Aasim was not known for being accurate in hadith. He was only to the level of Hasan. As a result, neither Bukhari nor Muslim included any hadith of Aasim in their books.

No one else of note supported the detail of Mahdi’s name matching the Prophet (SAW)’s name.

Statement of Ibn Abbas

Ibn Abbas (RA) said, “I hope that the days and nights don’t come to an end until Allah sends from one of us Ahl al-Bayt, a young man who was not involved in civil war and will rule and command good and forbid evil.” Someone asked, “Your elders failed to do so, but your young men will do it?” He said, “Allah does whatever He wishes.” (Ibn Abi Shaibah and Bayhaqi; Sahih)

This is Sahih to Ibn Abbas, but he did not attribute it to the Prophet (SAW). He only said it was his hope. Abd al-Rahman ibn Mahdi, one of the great scholars of hadith and teachers of Imam Ahmad, said that this is the most authentic narration about the Mahdi.

Statement of Ali (RA)

Ali (RA) said, “Islam will decrease until no one will even say ‘Allah, Allah’. Then, the drone bee of the religion will strike its tail. When it does that, they will gather to it like the clouds of Fall.” Then, Ali (RA) said, “I know the name of their leader and the resting place of their rides.” (Ibn Abi Shaibah; Sahih)

This is Sahih to Ali (RA) In sha Allah, but he did not attribute it to the Prophet (SAW). Wakee’ ibn Jarrah, one of the great scholars of hadith and teachers of Imam Ahmad, said that this is the most authentic narration about the Mahdi.

The Mahdi in the Great War

A popular understanding of the Mahdi is that he will come before the Dajjal and will lead the Muslims in the fight against him before the coming of Isa (AS). However, there is no direct basis for any of this in authentic or Hasan hadith.

At best, there are vague references, as we shall see. But, all the major hadith about the Great War do not mention any Mahdi, nor do any hadith about the Dajjal mention that the Mahdi will be present when he arrives.

Origin of the Mahdi

It is possible the concept of the Mahdi originated in some companions from the Ahl al-Bayt hoping and praying for such a figure with a combination of influence from Israiliyyaat, rather than from the Prophet (SAW).

Someone may ask: How can the Mahdi, which seems to be a purely Islamic concept since it has to do with the Prophet’s family, originate in Israiliyyaat?

The answer is: The Mahdi may have been the combination of several eschatological figures mentioned in Jewish and Christian sources, and the companions of Ahl al-Bayt may have hoped that figure was from their own family.

Someone may ask: Do you have any evidence the concept of the Mahdi is reported in Israiliyyaat?

The answer is: Yes, there are many reports about the Mahdi from Kaab al-Ahbar, one of the early Jewish converts to Islam who taught many of the companions Israiliyyaat. These reports can be found in books like Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah and Fitan of Nuaim ibn Hammad.

Kaab al-Ahbar said: The Mahdi (guided one) is only called Mahdi because he will guide about a matter that is hidden. He will bring out the Torah and Injil from Antioch. (Ibn Abi Shaibah; Hasan)

Kaab al-Ahbar said: One of the signs of the Mahdi coming is banners coming from the West, upon which there is a man who is lame from Kindah. (Fitan) This might be the inspiration of the weak hadith about black banners coming from the East in the time of the Mahdi.

There are many other reports from Kaab al-Ahbar about the figure known as the Mahdi, so there should be no doubt that this concept can come from Israiliyyaat. Whether you believe it does come from Israiliyyaat depends on your assessment of the situation.

Is the Mahdi Isa (AS)?

It is possible reports about Isa (AS) both from the Prophet (SAW) and from Israiliyyaat may have been confused as being about the Mahdi. This is hinted in the name “Mahdi” itself, which means “guided one.”

One report from the Prophet (SAW) explicitly describes Isa (AS) as “mahdi” (guided).

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “It is possible those who live (long) among you will meet Isa ibn Maryam (AS), a guided (mahdi) leader (imam), and a just ruler.” (Musnad Ahmad; Sahih in chain)

A weak report from the Prophet (SAW) says, “There is no Mahdi other than Isa (AS).” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Even references to the Mahdi being from the Prophet (SAW)’s family, if they are authentic, may have originally referred to Isa (AS). There are some reports of people being called Ahl al-Bayt in a figurative sense, like Salman al-Farsi.

It is quite interesting to note that there is a Sahih hadith where the Prophet (SAW) said, “I am the closest of people to Isa ibn Maryam (AS) in this world and the afterlife. All prophets are paternal brothers: their mothers are different, but their religion is the same.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Some early scholars, like Mujahid, are also attributed the statement, “The Mahdi is Isa ibn Maryam (AS).” (Ibn Abi Shaibah)

Ibn Sirin disagreed and said, “The Mahdi is from this Ummah, and he is the one who will lead Isa ibn Maryam (AS) (in prayer).” (Ibn Abi Shaibah)

Meaning of the Mahdi

In light of what was mentioned, there are three positions one can adopt about the Mahdi:

1. Maximalist Position: The Mahdi is a future leader at the end of times, before the coming of the Dajjal and Isa (AS), who will establish justice and rule the Muslims. He will be from the family of the Prophet (SAW), and his name will be Muhammad and his father’s name will be Abdullah.
2. Intermediate Position: The Prophet (SAW) did predict a future leader from his household, but this leader is not necessarily related to the Great War. This prophecy could have been fulfilled in any number of historic leaders, especially the Abbasid Caliphate, since the Abbasids were part of the Prophet (SAW)’s family.
3. Minimalist Position: There is no specific figure known as the Mahdi who was prophesied by the Prophet (SAW) other than Isa (AS). Rather, it is possible some companions of the Ahl al-Bayt hoped for the coming of such a figure, and Allah may answer their hopes or not. He also may have answered their hopes in history, like in the intermediate position.

There may be other positions in between. And Allah knows best what is true.

The Dajjal

There are many hadith about the Dajjal. These hadith can be divided into four categories:

1. Description of the Dajjal
2. Events in the Time of the Dajjal
3. Tests by the Dajjal
4. Ways to Protect Yourself from the Dajjal

Descriptions of the Dajjal

Ibn Umar (RA) and others narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “He is blind in his right eye, as if it were a protruding grape.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Ibn Umar (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “I am warning you about him. There was no prophet that did not warn his people about him, but I will tell you something no prophet told his people before: He is blind in one eye, but Allah is not blind in one eye.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Anas (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “He is blind in one eye, but your Lord is not blind in one eye. Between his eyes will be written the word kafir (i.e. disbeliever).” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Huzaifah (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “Dajjal is blind in his left eye and has thick hair […]” (Sahih Muslim; Hasan)

Ibn Umar (RA) narrated from the Prophet (SAW): I was sleeping and I saw myself doing tawaf around the Kaabah. There, I saw a reddish-white man with lank hair and water dripping from his head. I asked, “Who is this?” They said, “Isa ibn Maryam.” Then, I turned to see another man with a huge body, red complexion, and curly hair and who was blind in one eye. His eye looked like a protruding grape. They said, “This is Dajjal.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Events in the Time of the Dajjal

Coming of Dajjal

Hafsah (RA), the wife of the Prophet (SAW) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “He will only come out (against people) because something made him extremely angry.” (Sahih Muslim)

Umm Sharik (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “People will flee from the Dajjal into the mountains.” I asked, “Messenger of Allah, where would the Arabs be at that time?” He said, “They will be few.” (Sahih Muslim; Hasan)

The War Hadith of Abu Hurairah says:

The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Hour will not be established until the Romans come to A’maq (a place in Turkey) or Dabiq (a place in Syria). Then, an army from Madinah will go to meet them, and those will be the best people on earth at the time.

“When they are lined up, the Romans will say, ‘Leave us with those who converted from us. We only want to fight them.’

The Muslims will say, ‘We will never leave you with our brothers.’

“So they will fight. A third will flee and Allah will never forgive them. A third will be killed, and they will be the best of martyrs in the eyes of Allah. A third will be victorious.

“Then, while they are distributing the spoils of war and had hung up their swords, Shaitan will shout at them, ‘The Messiah (i.e. the Dajjal) has come behind you to your families.’

“So, they will go back and find that it was false. Then, when they come to Syria, the Dajjal will actually emerge.”

If the hadith is correct, the Romans might refer to the Europeans or another group that inherits from them in an ideological or cultural sense.

Jews Following Dajjal

Anas (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Dajjal will be followed by seventy thousand Jews of Isfahan, wearing Persian shawls.” (Sahih Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: The Hour will not be established until you fight the Jews until even the stones [betray them] and say, “O Muslim, there is a Jew hiding behind me.”

Dajjal Going Around the World

Anas (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “There will be no place that Dajjal does not enter except Makkah and Madinah […]” (Sahih Bukhari)

The Hadith of Nawwas claims:

The Prophet (SAW) said, “It is other than Dajjal that I fear more for you. If he comes out when I am with you, I will be your representative against him. If he comes out and I am not among you, every man will represent himself, and Allah will be with every Muslim in my absence.

“He is young, has twisted, contracted hair, and a blind eye. […] Whoever meets him should recite the beginning of Surah Kahf on him.

“He will come out on the way between Syria and Iraq, then he will spread to the right and to the left. So, servants of Allah, be firm!”

Dajjal Coming to Madinah

Anas (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “Dajjal will come and set camp on the outskirts of Madinah. Then, Madinah will be violently shaken three times, so every disbeliever and hypocrite will leave.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “There are angels at the mountain passes of Madinah so neither plague nor the Dajjal will enter.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Abu Bakra (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “The terror of Dajjal will not enter Madinah. It will have seven doors at that time, and there will be two angels at every door.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Abu Saeed (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) told us a long hadith about Dajjal. Part of what he said was that, “Dajjal will come, but he will be forbidden from entering the mountain passes of Madinah. He will encamp in one of the salt plains around Madinah. A man will come out to meet him who will be the best of people. He will say, ‘I testify that you are the Dajjal the Prophet (SAW) told us about.’ Dajjal will say (to his followers), ‘What do you think, if I kill this man then resurrect him, will you have any doubt about my claim?’ They will say, ‘No.’ So, he will kill the man then resurrect him. The man will say, ‘I am more certain now than I was before (that you are Dajjal).’ So, Dajjal will want to kill him again, but he will be unable to do so.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “Iman recoils to Madinah like a snake recoils to its hole.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

How Long the Dajjal Remains

There is no authentic evidence about how long the Dajjal will stay on earth.

However, the Hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr claims:

The Prophet (SAW) said: The Dajjal will come out in my Ummah and he will stay for forty.

I don’t know whether it is forty days, forty years, forty nights, or forty months.

The Hadith of Nawwas claims:

We asked, “How long will he remain on earth?”

The Prophet (SAW) said, “Forty days, one day like a year, one day like a month, one day like a week, and the rest of the days like your days.”

We said, “Messenger of Allah, the day that is like a year, will praying the prayers of one day be enough?”

He said, “No, calculate it.”

Tests by the Dajjal

Hisham ibn Amir (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “Between the creation of Adam until the Day of Judgement, there has not been and will not be a creation (or matter) greater than the Dajjal.” (Sahih Muslim; Hasan)

Huzaifah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Dajjal will have fire and water. His fire will be cold water, and his water will be fire.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Huzaifah (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “When the Dajjal comes, he will have water and fire. As for what people see as fire, it will be cool water. As for what people see as cool water, it will be burning fire. Whoever sees this, should go into what he sees as fire, because it will be a cool spring.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “He will come with something resembling Paradise and Fire. What he says is Paradise will be the fire.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (RA) said: No one asked the Prophet (SAW) about Dajjal as much as I did. The Prophet (SAW) said to me, “What troubles you about him?” I said, “People say he will have a mountain of bread and a river of water.” The Prophet (SAW) said, “He is lower in the eyes of Allah than that.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

The Hadith of Nawwas claims:

We asked, “How fast will he travel on earth?”

The Prophet (SAW) said, “Like clouds being driven by the wind.

“He will come to some people and call them, so they will believe in him and listen to him. So, he will command the sky to rain and the earth to grow. Then, their pasturing animals would come to them with humps very high and udders full of milk.

“Then, he will come to some people and call them, and they would reject him. So, he would go away from them, and there would be drought for them and no wealth will be left with them.

“Then, he will go to a wasteland and say, ‘Bring out your treasures,’ and the treasure would come out and collect itself like a swarm of bees.”

Ways to Protect Yourself from the Dajjal

Dua for Protection Against Dajjal

Aisha (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) used to seek refuge in Allah from Dajjal in his Salah. (Sahih Bukhari)

Aisha and Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) used to make the following dua at the end of his Salah:

• اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
• “O Allah! I seek refuge in you from the punishment in the grave and from the punishment in the Hell fire and from the afflictions of life and death, and the afflictions of Al-Masih Al-Dajjal.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Surah Kahf

Abu al-Darda (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever memorizes the first ten verses of Surah Kahf will be saved from the Dajjal.” (Sahih Muslim)

Other transmissions say: “Whoever recites the last ten verses of Surah Kahf will be saved from the Dajjal.”

The first transmission is most likely.

Hadith of Tamim al-Dari

Tamim al-Dari (RA) was from a Christian tribe and accepted Islam at the hands of the Prophet (SAW). When he accepted Islam, he told the Prophet (SAW) about something some sailors from his tribe saw while at sea. The Prophet (SAW) became happy about this story because it confirms some of what he used to teach about Dajjal. So, the Prophet (SAW) told people about it.

Fatimah bint Qais (RA) narrated:

I went to the masjid and prayed with the Prophet (SAW), and I was in the row of women nearest to the row of men.

When the Prophet (SAW) finished prayer, he sat on the pulpit smiling and said, “Everyone should remain in their places.”

Then, he said, “Do you know why I assembled you?”

They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”

He said, “By Allah, I have not assembled you here for any reminder or warning (in one narration: nor for any revelation that was revealed), but because Tamim al-Dari used to be Christian and came to pledge allegiance and accept Islam.

“He also told me that some people from his tribe were riding in a ship when they were taken by the waves near an island. When they landed on the island, there was a beast with long thick hair such that they could not distinguish its face from its back.

“They said, ‘What are you?’

“It said, ‘I am al-Jassasah.’

“They said, ‘What is Jassasah?’

“It said, ‘Go to this person in the monastery. He is eager to know more about you.’

“They went inside and found the biggest person they had ever seen, bound in more chains than they had ever seen on a person. His hands were tied to his neck with iron shackles between his legs up to the ankles.

“They said, ‘Who are you?’

“He said, ‘You will soon come to know me, but who are you?’

“They said, ‘We are people from Arabia and we were riding on a ship until the sea brought us near this island.’

“He said, ‘Tell me about the palm trees of Baisan, do they bear fruit? Tell me about Lake Tiberias, does it have water? Tell me about the spring of Zughar, does it still irrigate the land?’

“They said, ‘Yes’ to all the questions.

“He said, ‘Tell me about the unlettered prophet, what has he done?’

“They said, ‘He came from Makkah to settle in Yathrib.’

“He said, ‘I am going to tell you about myself. I am the Messiah, and I will soon be permitted to go out, and I will travel the land and not spare any town, staying there for forty nights, except for Makkah and Madinah. Those two places are prohibited for me. If I tried to enter any of these two, an angel with a sword in his hand would confront me and prevent me, and there will be angels to guard every passage leading to it.'”

The Prophet (SAW) struck the pulpit with his staff and said, “That is Madinah! Didn’t I use to tell you this?”

People said, “Yes.”

The Prophet (SAW) said, “I liked the story of Tamim because it matches what I used to tell you about him and about Madinah and Makkah. He must be in the sea of Syria or the sea of Yemen. Rather, he must be towards the East, he must be towards the East, he must be towards the East,” and he pointed with his hand towards the East.

There are several wordings of the hadith. I selected one wording, and summarized where it was appropriate.

The hadith is in Sahih Muslim. It is not in Sahih Bukhari, but Bukhari called the hadith Sahih in other books. So, the hadith is Sahih, In sha Allah.

Many scholars took the apparent indication and assumed that the story of the Christian sailors was confirmed as true by the Prophet (SAW) as a whole because he narrated it and he would not narrate something false.

However, in my view, this hadith has no indication that the Prophet (SAW) received revelation to confirm the story of the sailors, so it should not be taken as binding revelation.

The principle about narrations from Bani Israil is that we neither fully believe nor fully disbelieve in them. We believe what confirms our sources, and we disbelieve what does not confirm our sources.

The Prophet (SAW) said, “Narrate from the People of the Book; there is no harm.” (Sahih Bukhari) He also said, “Do not confirm the People of the Book and do not disbelieve in them, but say ⟪We believe in Allah and what was revealed to us and what was revealed to you⟫.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Perhaps parts of this story stem from truth and parts are exaggerations, or perhaps the sailors made a mistake and mistook what they saw based on what Christian stories about the Dajjal they had heard before.

If this hadith is taken to be correct, it would indicate that the Dajjal is alive right now in an island that Allah has kept hidden. If not, it is possible the Dajjal has not been born yet or has been born and is alive somewhere on earth already.

Allah knows best.

Isa ibn Maryam (AS)

Descent as a Just Ruler

Before the Day of Judgement, Isa ibn Maryam (AS) will descend to earth as a just ruler for the Muslims at the end of times. He will live and die on earth.

Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “Ibn Maryam will soon descend upon you as a just ruler. He will break the cross, kill the swine, and end the jizyah. Wealth will become so prevalent that no one will accept charity.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Breaking the cross and killing the swine most likely refer to the end of Christianity. The cross represents their theology, and the swine represents their failure to follow the law. Ending the jizyah most likely refers to how there will be no disbelievers allowed at that time. Either they will join Isa (AS) and the Muslims as believers or will fight alongside the Dajjal as disbelievers.

Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “How will you be when Ibn Maryam descends among you and your leader will be from you?” One transmission, “and he will lead you from you.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

It is possible this means that Isa (AS) will lead the Muslims while being part of this Ummah, following the Quran and Sunnah, not as a prophet.

It is also possible the phrase “your leader will be from you” refers to Isa (AS) letting Muslims lead themselves rather than leading them in prayer or ruling over them directly.

This is supported by the hadith of Jabir (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “A group of my Ummah will continue to fight upon truth, being victorious, until the Day of Judgement. Then, Isa ibn Maryam will descend and their leader will say, ‘Come, lead us in prayer.’ He will say, ‘No, you lead each other, that is an honor Allah gave this Ummah.'” (Sahih Muslim; Hasan)

It is also possibly a very vague reference to the Muslims having a united leader when Isa (AS) descends, perhaps referring to the Mahdi.

Description of Isa (AS)

Ibn Umar (RA) narrated from the Prophet (SAW): I was sleeping and I saw myself doing tawaf around the Kaabah. There, I saw a reddish-white man with lank hair and water dripping from his head. I asked, “Who is this?” They said, “Isa ibn Maryam.” Then, I turned to see another man with a huge body, red complexion, and curly hair and who was blind in one eye. His eye looked like a protruding grape. They said, “This is Dajjal.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

War with Dajjal

There is not much specific information about what Isa (AS) will do when he descends in authentic narrations.

However, it can be gleaned from the authentic dream of the Prophet (SAW) that Isa (AS) will have something to do with Dajjal. Many (Hasan) hadith mention that Isa (AS) will kill the Dajjal. This is, In sha Allah, correct, but Allah knows best.

The Hadith of Nawwas claims:

[While Dajjal is spreading chaos], Allah will send the Messiah Ibn Maryam (AS). He will descend near the white minaret on the Eastern side of Damascus, wearing two garments dyed with saffron and placing his hands on the wings of two angels.

When he would lower his head, beads of water will fall from it, and when he would raise it up, beads will scatter from it.

Every disbeliever who smells his scent would die, even though his scent can be smelt as far as he can see.

He will then search for the Dajjal until he catches him at the gate of Ludd (a place in Palestine) and kills him there.

The Hadith of Abu Hurairah claims:

While they are preparing for war (with the Dajjal) and are straightening the rows, the time of prayer will start and Isa ibn Maryam (AS) will descend and lead them.

When the enemy of Allah (the Dajjal) sees him, he will dissolve like salt dissolves in water. If he was left, he would dissolve until he died. Instead, Allah will kill him through his (i.e. Isa’s) hand, and he will show them his blood on his spear.

After Dajjal

The Hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr claims:

[After Isa AS kills Dajjal], people will remain for seven years when no man will have enmity with another. Then, Allah will send a cool wind that will take the soul of every one with a grain of iman in their heart, even if they are within the mountains.

Yajuj and Majuj

Dhul-Qarnayn

Allah says ⟪And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, “I will recite to you about him a report.”⟫ ⟪Indeed We established him upon the earth, and We gave him to everything a way.⟫

⟪So he followed a way⟫ […] ⟪Until, when he reached [a pass] between two mountains, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand [his] speech.⟫

⟪They said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Yajuj and Majuj are [great] corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier?”⟫

⟪He said, “That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam.⟫ ⟪Bring me sheets of iron” – until, when he had leveled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said, “Blow [with bellows],” until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, “Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper.”⟫

⟪So, they (Yajuj and Majuj) were unable to pass over it, nor were they able [to effect] in it any penetration.⟫

⟪[Dhul-Qarnayn] said, “This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes, He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true.”⟫ (18:83-98)

Return of Yajuj and Majuj

Verse of the Quran

Allah says in the Quran ⟪And there is prohibition upon [the people of] a city which We have destroyed that they will [ever] return⟫ ⟪Until when Yajuj and Majuj are opened and they, from every elevation descend⟫ ⟪And [when] the true promise has approached; then suddenly the eyes of those who disbelieved will be staring [in horror, while they say], “O woe to us; we had been unmindful of this; rather, we were wrongdoers.”⟫ (21:97)

Warning for the Arabs

There is only one completely authentic hadith about the coming of Yajuj and Majuj.

Zainab (RA), the wife of the Prophet (SAW), said: The Prophet (SAW) woke up from sleep in a state of fear and said, “La ilaha illallah, a great warning for the Arabs from an evil that is near! Today, the wall of Yajuj and Majuj has been opened this much,” and he made a circle with his index finger and thumb.

Zainab (RA) said, “Will we be destroyed, Messenger of Allah, when there are pious people among us?” He said, “Yes, when evil is widespread.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Something similar has been narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) and others.

Hajj After Yajuj and Majuj

Abu Saeed al-Khudri (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said, “Hajj and Umrah at the House will continue after the coming out of Yajuj and Majuj.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Abaan (reliable), Imran (Hasan), and others narrated this from Qatadah from Abdullah ibn Abi Utbah from Abu Saeed al-Khudri from the Prophet (SAW).

This hadith has problems.

Shu’bah (Qatadah’s most reliable student), Saeed (a very reliable student of Qatadah), Ma’mar (generally reliable), and others narrated the hadith from Qatadah from Abu Saeed al-Khudri as a statement of Abu Saeed al-Khudri (RA). This would make the chain disconnected and non-prophetic.

This raises questions about the hadith’s authenticity to the Prophet (SAW). It is possible Abaan and Imran made a mistake in this hadith. That being said, Bukhari preferred the view that the hadith is authentic. That is why he included it in his Sahih. Abu Hatim al-Razi also said he preferred Abaan’s version of the hadith. It is possible both Bukhari and Abu Hatim were unaware of the other transmissions.

These problems are probably why Imam Muslim did not include the hadith in his Sahih.

And Allah knows best.

Hadith of Huzaifah and Nawwas

The Hadith of Huzaifah claims Yajuj and Majuj are among the ten signs, after Isa (AS).

The Hadith of Nawwas claims:

[After the Dajjal is defeated], Allah will reveal to Isa (AS), “I am going to release some servants of mine that no one has the power to fight. So, take my servants to Tur.”

Then, Allah will send Yajuj and Majuj and they will descend from every elevation. The first of them will come upon Lake Tiberias and will drink from it, and by the time the last of them come to that lake, they will say, “There used to be water here once.”

Isa (AS) and his companions will be besieged until the head of an ox would be considered more valuable by them than 100 dinars is to you today.

Isa (AS) and his companions will pray, and Allah will send insects against them, and in the morning, they will perish like one person.

Then, Isa (AS) and his companions will come down [from the mountain] to earth and they would find no place that isn’t filled with their stench.

So, Isa (AS) and his companions will pray, and Allah will send birds with necks like camels that will carry [the corpses of Yajuj and Majuj] away to wherever Allah wishes. Then, Allah will send rain that will wash the earth until it is like a mirror, then it will be said to the earth, “Grow your fruits and return my blessings.”

Then, there will grow (huge) pomegranates that can be eaten by a group of people, and a group of people can shelter under their skin. And one cow will give so much milk that a whole contingent of people can drink from it, one camel will give so much milk that a tribe can drink from it, and one sheep will give so much milk that a family can drink from it.

Numbers of Yajuj and Majuj

Abu Saeed al-Khudri (RA) narrated from the Prophet (SAW):

Allah will say, “O Adam.”

He will say, “I am here! All good is in your hands.”

Allah will say, “Take out the portion of Hell.”

He will say, “And what is the portion of Hell?”

Allah will say, “From every 1000, 999.”

At that time, the child’s hair will turn white, the pregnant woman will miscarry her child, and you will see the people as intoxicated even though they are not intoxicated but [they will seem that way] because Allah’s punishment is severe.

The companions [became terrified and] asked the Prophet (SAW), “How will we make that 1, Messenger of Allah?”

The Prophet (SAW) said, “Be happy, because 1 man is from you, and a 1000 is from Yajuj and Majuj.”

Then, the Prophet (SAW) said, “By Allah, I hope you will be a fourth of the people of Jannah,” so we said takbeer. Then, the Prophet (SAW) said, “By Allah, I hope you will be a third of the people of Jannah,” so we said takbeer. Then, the Prophet (SAW) said, “By Allah, I hope you will be half of the people of Jannah,” so we said takbeer.

Then, the Prophet (SAW) said, “You are among people like a white hair on a black bull, or black hair on a white bull.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

This is a strongly Sahih hadith.

A similar hadith from Ibn Masud (RA) does not mention Yajuj and Majuj but mentions the latter part about the portion of the people of Jannah, and the wording is, “You are among the people of shirk like white hair on a black bull.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

This is also a strongly Sahih hadith.

The hadith only mentions the numbers of “Yajuj and Majuj,” and does not mention them coming out at the end of times.

The apparent of the hadith indicates that the Yajuj and Majuj in this hadith refers to the Yajuj and Majuj of Dhul-Qarnayn, and there are several statements from the Sahabah and the Salaf supporting this interpretation.

Abdullah ibn Salam (RA), the Jewish scholar who converted to Islam when the Prophet (SAW) first came to Madinah, reportedly said, “No man of Yajuj and Majuj dies without leaving behind a 1000 children.” (Ibn Abi Shaibah) Similar is reported from others.

Some people say: Yajuj and Majuj in this hadith means disbelievers in general. That is because the hadith only mentions those who go to Hell and those who go to Jannah and says the 1000 that go to Hell are Yajuj and Majuj and the 1 that goes to Jannah is a Muslim. But, obviously, many humans who are not literally Yajuj and Majuj go to Hell! It is possible the disbelievers are compared to Yajuj and Majuj because of their disobedience to Allah and large numbers.

They say: The last part of the hadith also makes this explicit since it talks about the rarity of the Muslims compared to disbelievers in general. Allah also says ⟪And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.⟫ (12:103)

Meaning of Yajuj and Majuj

The majority view and the apparent view, especially when taking the Hadith of Huzaifah and the Hadith of Nawwas into account, is that Yajuj and Majuj are the people imprisoned by Dhul-Qarnayn, and they will be freed from their wall at the end of times. Their population is also 1000 times the population of the rest of humanity.

The question in this view is: Where are Yajuj and Majuj and where is their wall if they are so many?

The answer is: Allah has hidden them beyond our ability to find just like He hid Dajjal on an island. There are many supernatural things about the Day of Judgement, and all of them are within Allah’s power. Allah knows best where they are.

Another view some scholars have held is to say Yajuj and Majuj in the Hadith of Zainab symbolize some group who will attack Muslims. They may refer to the Mongols or to some other group. They say it was a dream the Prophet (SAW) saw, and dreams can be symbolic. As for the Hadith of Nawwas, they say the hadith is not strong enough to rely on as evidence.

As for the original Yajuj and Majuj of Dhul-Qarnayn and Dhul-Qarnayn’s wall, they say those were a people in the past and the wall may or may not exist any more.

Allah knows best what is true.

Purpose of the Great War

There are two questions to ask:

1. What is the purpose of the Great War? Why did Allah decide it will happen before the end of the world?
2. Why did Allah tell us about it?

The purpose of the Great War is to be a final test for humanity before the end of the world. The Dajjal, especially, is an encapsulation of the overall test of the world. He will tempt people with temporary comforts in exchange for eternal Hellfire.

That is how every one of us is tested today. However, the test of the Dajjal will be greater and more intense. The Great War can be compared to a final exam for humanity.

Allah told us about the Great War so that we prepare for it every generation. No generation of Muslims is supposed to feel safe. That is why even the Prophet (SAW) himself used to pray for protection from the Dajjal.

Preparing for the Dajjal is the same as preparing for every other test in this life. It is to increase iman in Allah and certainty in the afterlife. When you are certain in the afterlife to the point that nothing distracts you from obedience to Allah and nothing tempts you into sin, then you will be ready for the Dajjal who will test your certainty in the afterlife more than anything else can test you.

When the Dajjal presents fire, we must go into the fire, trusting in Allah that this life is temporary and we have an eternal reward. When the Dajjal presents water or a garden, we must stay away from the temptation, trusting in Allah that this life is temporary and that there is an eternal punishment waiting.

In the same way, in this life, we are faced with many choices: paths to the fire that seem like gardens, and paths to the garden which seem like fire. We must choose what is better in the afterlife over what seems comfortable right now in the world.

That is why the Prophet (SAW) recommended learning and reciting the first ten verses of Surah Kahf to face the Dajjal. Those ten verses remind every believer who reads them with complete devotion that this life is temporary and the afterlife is permanent.

Preparing for the Dajjal is not just on an individual level. It is also on a communal and civilizational level. People who rely on non-authentic hadith think that some saviour will come who will fix everything about the Muslim world. Rather, it is we who must fix the Muslim world to prepare for the Dajjal. The Prophet (SAW) and the companions were always worried about the Dajjal because it is we who must face the Dajjal, not someone else who will fix things for us.

Allah says ⟪Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.⟫ (13:11)

The Final Signs

The final signs are the direct precursors to the Day of Judgement.

Disappearance of Islam

There are some useful hadith which indicate that Islam will disappear before the Day of Judgement.

Anas (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Hour will not be established until ‘Allah, Allah’ is not said on earth.” (Sahih Muslim)

The Hadith of Nawwas and the Hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr mention: [After Isa (AS)], a cool wind will go across the earth, taking the soul of every believer.

Ibn Masud (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Hour will not be established except on the worst of people.” (Sahih Muslim; Hasan)

The Hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr similarly mentions that only the worst of people will remain after the wind.

There are other hadith on this topic.

The Earthquakes

Allah says: ⟪When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake⟫ ⟪And the earth discharges its burdens⟫ ⟪And man says, “What is [wrong] with it?” -⟫ ⟪That Day, it will report its news⟫ ⟪Because your Lord has commanded it.⟫ (99:1-5)

He also says: ⟪O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the shaking of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing.⟫ (22:1)

The Hadith of Huzaifah (RA) mentions three earthquakes, one in the East, one in the West, and one in the Arabian peninsula.

I do not know any other strong evidence on the topic. It is possible this is not one of the final signs but is part of the Great War or happens before it.

The Sun Rising From the West

Allah says in the Quran ⟪And the sun runs [on course] toward its stopping point. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.⟫ (36:38)

Abu Dharr (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said to me, “Do you know where the sun goes when it sets?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “It goes until it prostrates under the Throne and seeks permission and is permitted. Soon, it will prostrate and it will not be accepted and it will seek permission and it will not be permitted. It will be told, ‘Return from where you came,’ so it will rise from its setting place.” That is what Allah means by ⟪And the sun runs [on course] toward its stopping point. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.⟫ (36:38) (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from its setting place. When people see it, everyone on earth will believe, but that is when belief will not benefit anyone that did not believe before.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah says ⟪Do they [then] wait for anything except that the angels should come to them or your Lord should come or that there come some of the signs of your Lord? The Day that some of the signs of your Lord will come no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before or had earned through its faith some good.⟫ (6:158)

The Coming of the Beast

Allah says in the Quran ⟪And when the word befalls them, We will bring forth for them a beast from the earth speaking to them, [saying] that the people were, of Our verses, not certain [in faith].⟫ (27:82)

There is no more authentic information about the beast. Some hadith indicate that the sun rising from the West and the coming of the Beast are closely linked together. Perhaps one happens soon after the other.

The Smoke

Allah says ⟪Then watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke.⟫ ⟪Covering the people; this is a painful torment.⟫ ⟪[They say] “Our Lord, remove from us the torment; indeed, we are believers.”⟫ ⟪How will there be for them a reminder [at that time]? And there had come to them a clear Messenger.⟫ ⟪Then they turned away from him and said, “[He was] taught [and is] a madman.”⟫ ⟪Indeed, We will remove the torment for a little. Indeed, you [disbelievers] will return [to disbelief].⟫ (44:10-15)

Ibn Masud (RA) believed the smoke mentioned in this verse already happened as a temporary punishment for the people of Makkah in the life of the Prophet (SAW). (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

The Hadith of Huzaifah claims that the smoke is one of the ten signs. The Hadith of Abu Hurairah also supports smoke being a sign. Other Hasan hadith also claim smoke is one of the signs near the Day of Judgement.

A possible combination could be that the smoke happened in the life of the Prophet (SAW) on a small scale and will happen again before the Day of Judgement on a large scale.

The Fire That Gathers People

The Hadith of Huzaifah claims that the final sign is a fire that comes from Yemen and pushes people to their gathering place.

This is also reported from other companions and scholars of Israiliyyaat.

Suddenness of the Day of Judgement

Allah says ⟪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. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly.”⟫ (7:187)

Allah says ⟪Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of Allah or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive?⟫ (12:107)

Allah says ⟪If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not avert the Fire from their faces or from their backs and they will not be aided…⟫ ⟪Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them, and they will not be able to repel it, nor will they be reprieved.⟫ (21:40)

Allah says ⟪Then do they await except that the Hour should come upon them unexpectedly? But already there have come [some of] its indications. Then what good to them, when it has come, will be their remembrance?⟫ (47:18)

Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “The Hour will be established and two men who spread a garment between them (for a sale) will not be able to complete the transaction or fold the garment. The Hour will be established and a man carrying the milk of his camel would not be able to drink it. The Hour will be established and someone who prepared water for his cattle will not be able to give it to them. The Hour will be established and a man who raised food to his mouth would not be able to taste it.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)