What is the Day of Judgment in Islam?

 

The Day of Judgment, known in Arabic as Yawm al-Qiyāmah (يوم القيامة) or Yawm ad-Dīn (يوم الدين), is one of the most fundamental beliefs in Islam. It is the day when all human beings will be resurrected and held accountable for their deeds. Every individual, from the first human, Prophet Adam (عليه السلام), to the last person created, will stand before Allah (ﷻ) and receive their final judgment. This day marks the end of worldly life and the beginning of eternal existence—either in Paradise (Jannah) for those who lived righteously or Hellfire (Jahannam) for those who rejected faith and committed evil.

The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes the certainty and severity of this event, warning humanity to prepare for it through sincere faith and good actions. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described in great detail the signs, events, and consequences of the Last Day, ensuring that believers remain mindful of their ultimate destiny.

In this article, we will explore the concept of the Day of Judgment, its signs, the process of resurrection and accountability, and the final reward or punishment as described in the Qur’an and Hadith, with references in both English and Arabic.

The Concept of the Day of Judgment in Islam

 

The belief in the Day of Judgment is one of the six pillars of Iman (faith) in Islam. A Muslim must believe in:

  1. Allah
  2. Angels
  3. Revealed Books
  4. Messengers
  5. The Day of Judgment
  6. Divine Decree (Qadr: Predestination)

Allah says in the Qur’an:

﴿ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴾
“Master of the Day of Judgment.” (Surah Al-Fatiha 1:4)

This verse highlights that Allah alone will judge humanity and no one else will have authority on that Day.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was asked about faith, and he responded:

قال رسول الله ﷺ: “الإِيمَانُ أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللَّهِ، وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ، وَكُتُبِهِ، وَرُسُلِهِ، وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ، وَالْقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ”
“Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day, and in predestination (both good and bad).” (Sahih Muslim 8)

Signs of the Day of Judgment

 

Before the Day of Judgment occurs, several minor and major signs will appear.

Minor Signs

These are signs that gradually occur and indicate the approach of the Last Day:

  1. The coming of the final Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ
  2. Widespread ignorance and disappearance of knowledge
  3. Increased corruption and dishonesty
  4. Widespread immorality and indecency
  5. Disobedience to parents
  6. People competing in constructing tall buildings
  7. Abundance of killing and violence

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَكْثُرَ الْهَرْجُ”
“The Hour will not be established until there is much killing.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 7121)

Major Signs

These are extraordinary events that signal the imminent arrival of the Day of Judgment:

  1. The emergence of the Dajjal (Antichrist)
  2. The descent of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام
  3. The appearance of Gog and Magog (Ya’juj and Ma’juj)
  4. Three major landslides (one in the East, one in the West, and one in Arabia)
  5. The rising of the sun from the West
  6. A great smoke covering the Earth
  7. The appearance of the Beast of the Earth (Dabbatul-Ard)
  8. A great fire that will gather people for judgment

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَا تَقُومُ حَتَّى تَرَوْا عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ: … وَطُلُوعُ الشَّمْسِ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا، وَخُرُوجُ الدَّابَّةِ…”
“The Hour will not come until you see ten signs… among them: the rising of the sun from the West and the emergence of the Beast.” (Sahih Muslim 2901)

What is the Day of Judgment in Islam

Events of the Day of Judgment

 

The Blowing of the Trumpet

The Day of Judgment begins with the blowing of the trumpet (As-Sūr) by Angel Israfil عليه السلام. The Qur’an describes this moment:

﴿ وَنُفِخَ فِي ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ ﴾
“And the trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and on the earth will fall unconscious, except those whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and behold, they will be standing, looking on.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:68)

Resurrection and Gathering

All human beings, from the first to the last, will be resurrected and gathered for judgment.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حُفَاةً عُرَاةً غُرْلًا”
“Mankind will be gathered on the Day of Judgment barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6527)

The Presentation of Deeds

Each person will be given a book of their deeds, either in their right hand (for the righteous) or in their left hand (for the wicked):

﴿ فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًۭا يَسِيرًۭا ﴾
“As for him who is given his record in his right hand, he will soon be judged with an easy account.” (Surah Al-Inshiqaq 84:7-8)

﴿ وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ وَرَآءَ ظَهْرِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُوا۟ ثُبُورًۭا ﴾
“But as for him who is given his record behind his back, he will cry out for destruction.” (Surah Al-Inshiqaq 84:10-11)

The Final Judgment

 

Each person will stand before Allah and be judged based on their beliefs and deeds.

﴿ فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًۭا يَرَهُۥ ﴾
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.” (Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:7)

﴿ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ شَرًّا يَرَهُ ﴾
“And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” (Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:8)

Eternal Reward and Punishment

 

Paradise (Jannah)

Those who lived righteously will enter Paradise, a place of eternal bliss:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَنَعِيمٍۢ ﴾
“Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and bliss.” (Surah At-Tur 52:17)

Hellfire (Jahannam)

The wicked will enter Hell, a place of severe punishment:

﴿ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ﴾
“But those who disbelieved and denied Our signs, they are the companions of the Fire.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:10)

Conclusion

 

The Day of Judgment is an undeniable reality in Islam, marking the end of worldly life and the beginning of eternal reward or punishment. Every human being will stand before Allah (ﷻ) to be judged based on their faith and actions. Those who followed the path of righteousness will be granted Paradise (Jannah), while those who rejected faith and engaged in evil will face the torment of Hellfire (Jahannam).

Allah reminds us of the certainty of this day:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلزَّلْزَلَةَ ٱلصُّغْرَىٰ أَتَتْ ﴾
“Indeed, the final earthquake has come.” (Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:1)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also emphasized the importance of preparing for this day:

قال رسول الله ﷺ: “الكَيِّسُ مَن دَانَ نَفْسَهُ، وَعَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ المَوتِ”
“The wise person is the one who holds himself accountable and works for what comes after death.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2459)

As Muslims, we must constantly strive to obey Allah (ﷻ), follow the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ, and seek forgiveness for our sins. May Allah guide us to righteousness, grant us success on the Day of Judgment, and admit us into Jannah. Ameen.

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