Major and Minor Signs of Qiyamah: A Complete Guide
The Day of Judgment (Qiyamah) is an undeniable reality in Islam. It is the day when every soul will be held accountable for its deeds, and justice will be served by Allah. Before this great event, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has warned about certain minor and major signs that will occur, marking the approach of the Final Hour. These signs have been mentioned in the Quran and Hadith to serve as a reminder for believers to stay firm in their faith.
Allah says in the Quran:
“فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً فَقَدْ جَآءَ أَشْرَاطُهَا فَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمْ إِذَا جَآءَتْهُمْ ذِكْرَىٰهُمْ”
(Surah Muhammad 47:18)
“Do they then await anything other than the Hour that it should come upon them suddenly? But already there have come some of its signs; so when it actually comes upon them, how will their reminder (benefit them)?”
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also said:
“بُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةُ كَهَاتَيْنِ” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4936)
“I have been sent, and the Hour (Qiyamah) is as close as these two fingers (holding his index and middle fingers together).”
This means that from the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the signs of the Last Day began, and as time progresses, these signs continue to manifest.
Minor Signs of Qiyamah
The minor signs of Qiyamah are numerous and have been unfolding for centuries. Some of these signs appeared during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), while others are still occurring today. Here are some of the most important ones:
The Death of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
The passing of the Prophet (ﷺ) was one of the first minor signs of Qiyamah. He himself stated:
“إِنَّ مِنْ إِشْرَاطِ السَّاعَةِ مَوْتِي” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6501)
“Among the signs of the Hour is my death.”
Widespread Ignorance and Disappearance of True Knowledge
As the Day of Judgment approaches, true Islamic knowledge will fade, and ignorance will spread. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned:
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنَ الْعِبَادِ، وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ” (Sahih al-Bukhari 100)
“Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it away from the people, but He takes it away by taking away the scholars, until no scholar remains, and people follow ignorant leaders.”
Spread of Immorality and Corruption
The Prophet (ﷺ) predicted that fornication, nudity, and immorality would become widespread:
“وَسَيَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ أُمَّتِي رِجَالٌ يَرْكَبُونَ السُّرُوجَ كَأَذْنَةِ الْإِبِلِ يَنْزِلُونَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْمَسَاجِدِ نِسَاؤُهُمْ كَاسِيَاتٌ عَارِيَاتٌ” (Musnad Ahmad 8769)
“Near the end of my Ummah, there will be men who ride saddles like camels, and women who will be dressed but appear naked.”
4. People Competing in Building Tall Structures
One of the most well-known signs is the competition in constructing tall buildings, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula:
“وَإِذَا تَطَاوَلَ رُعَاةُ الْإِبِلِ فِي الْبُنْيَانِ” (Sahih Muslim 8)
“And when you see the barefooted, naked shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings.”
5. Widespread Use of Riba (Usury and Interest)
Interest-based financial transactions will become the norm before Qiyamah:
“لَيَأْتِيَنَّ عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لَا يَبْقَى أَحَدٌ إِلَّا أَكَلَ الرِّبَا، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَأْكُلْهُ أَصَابَهُ مِنْ غُبَارِهِ” (Sunan Abu Dawood 3331)
“A time will come when no one will be able to avoid being affected by Riba (interest), even if they do not consume it directly, its dust will reach them.”
Major Signs of Qiyamah
The major signs of Qiyamah are ten great events that will signal the final approach of the Last Day. These are:
The Appearance of the Mahdi
The Mahdi will emerge to establish justice on earth:
“الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنِّي يُوَافِقُ اسْمُهُ اسْمِي” (Sunan Abu Dawood 4282)
“The Mahdi is from my family, and his name will be like my name.”
The Emergence of Dajjal (The False Messiah)
Dajjal will spread deception and claim to be divine:
“مَا بَيْنَ خَلْقِ آدَمَ إِلَى قِيَامِ السَّاعَةِ أَمْرٌ أَعْظَمُ مِنَ الدَّجَّالِ” (Sahih Muslim 2946)
“Since the creation of Adam until the Hour, there is no greater trial than Dajjal.”
The Descent of Prophet Isa (Jesus, Peace Be Upon Him)
Jesus will return to defeat Dajjal:
“وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، لَيُوشِكَنَّ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ فِيكُمُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ، حَكَمًا عَدْلًا” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3449)
“By Him in whose Hand is my soul, Jesus, son of Mary, will soon descend among you as a just ruler.”
The Emergence of Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog)
A corrupt and destructive nation will be released:
“حَتَّى إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:96)
“Until when Gog and Magog are let loose, and they rush down from every slope.”
Three Major Landslides
There will be three major landslides:
- One in the East
- One in the West
- One in the Arabian Peninsula (Sahih Muslim 2901)
The Smoke (Dukhan)
A great smoke will cover the earth:
“فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍۢ مُّبِينٍ” (Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:10)
“Then watch for the day when the sky will bring visible smoke.”
The Rising of the Sun from the West
This will be a clear sign of the end:
“لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6504)
“The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the west.”
Conclusion
The signs of Qiyamah, both minor and major, are unfolding before our very eyes. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned us about these events so that we may prepare ourselves spiritually and morally for the inevitable reality of the Day of Judgment. Every believer must reflect on these signs and strive to seek Allah’s mercy before it is too late.
Allah reminds us in the Quran:
“اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ”
(Surah Al-Qamar 54:1)
“The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split.”
As we witness the corruption, immorality, and loss of knowledge increasing around us, we must turn back to Allah with sincerity. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“بَادِرُوا بِالأَعْمَالِ سِتًّا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ” (Sahih Muslim 2947)
“Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: the Dajjal, the smoke, the beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the general turmoil, and the great fire.”
May Allah guide us to righteousness, protect us from the trials of the Last Day, and grant us a place in Jannah. اللهم احسن خاتمتنا واغفر لنا ذنوبنا آمين
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