Kiamat in Islam

By Khandaker Nazneen Sultana

 The Qur’an reminds us time and again that this universe has been created temporarily and at an appointed time it will surely be annihilated.  The exact date and time of this event, termed as Kiamat, is known to Allah Alone. The Qur’an and the Hadith have however informed us about various signs which will occur prior to Kiamat and which will be indicative of the closeness of the event.

 As soon as Kiamat is over, the Death in the form of a sheep will be slaughtered and announcement made that there will be no more deaths. The Jannatis will welcome this announcement with joy and the Hell dwellers will mourn the death of the Death.

On the Judgment Day no person could utter an unjust word. No petition for pardon could be submitted unless Allah permits it. He would hear the petition only if it was based on truth and justice.

All the previous Ambiyaa (A.S.) informed their respective Ummats about the signs of Qiyamah, but Our Beloved Nabi Sayyidena Muhammad (SAW) informed his Ummat about these signs in much greater detail. The reason being that there is no Nabi to come after him and his Ummat is closest to the advent of Kiamat, hence they need to make greater preparation for it by reforming their spiritual selves, controlling their passions and diligently carrying out the orders of Allah Ta'ala.

Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (R.A.) narrates that Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhii Wassallam) said, " Kiamat will come...

When it will be regarded as a shame to act on Quranic injunctions.
* When untrustworthy people will be regarded as trustworthy and the trustworthy
will be regarded as untrustworthy.
* When it will be hot in winter (and vice versa).
* When the length of days is stretched, i.e. a journey of a few days is covered in
a matter of hours.
* When orators and lecturers lie openly.
* When people dispute over petty issues.
* When women with children come displeased on account of them bearing offspring, and barren women remain happy on account of having no responsibility of offspring.
* When oppression, jealousy, and greed become the order of the day.
* When people blatantly follow their passions and whims.
* When lies prevail over the truth.
* When violence, bloodshed and anarchy become common.
* When immorality overtakes shamelessness and is perpetrated publicly.
* When legislation matters pertaining to Deen is handed over to the worst elements
of the Ummat, and if people accept them and are satisfied with their findings, then such persons will not smell the fragrance of Jannat.
* When the offspring become a cause of grief and anger (for their parents).

Hadhrat Imraan bin Husain (R.A.) relates that, "I heard Rasulullah (SAW) saying: "Since the birth of Adam (A.S.) till the advent of Qiyamah there is no fitnah (evil, test) much greater that of Dajjal." (Rasulullah (SAW) has exhorted the regular recital of Suratul Kahf, which will most certainly save one from the Evils of Dajjal.)

Allah has also described about Kiamat in many places in the Qur’an, so let us now take a look at what He has in store for the believers.

Kiamat after Death is very much importent in Islam—

From the view of The Al-Qur’an:

In Surah Al-Baqarah verses no.   259, 260 Allah says:

2.259. Or (take) the similitude of one who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said: "Oh! how shall Allah bring it (ever) to life, after (this) its death?" but Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again). He said: "How long didst thou tarry (thus)?" He said: (Perhaps) a day or part of a day." He said: "Nay, thou hast tarried thus a hundred years; but look at thy food and thy drink; they show no signs of age; and look at thy donkey: And that We may make of thee a sign unto the people, Look further at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh." When this was shown clearly to him, he said: "I know that Allah hath power over all things."

2.260. Behold! Abraham said: "My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead." He said: "Dost thou not then believe?" He said: "Yea! but to satisfy My own undertaking." He said: "Take four birds; Tame them to turn to thee; put a portion of them on every hill and call to them: They will come to thee (Flying) with speed. Then know that Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise."

In Surah Al-A’raf verses no. 57 Allah announces:

7.57. It is He Who sendeth the winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy: when they have carried the heavy-laden clouds, We drive them to a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and produce every kind of harvest therewith: thus shall We raise up the dead: perchance ye may remember.

In Surah An-Nahl verses no. 38, 39, 77 Allah reports:

16.38. They swear their strongest oaths by Allah, that Allah will not raise up those who die: Nay, but it is a promise (binding) on Him in truth: but most among mankind realise it not.

16.39. (They must be raised up), in order that He may manifest to them the truth of that wherein they differ, and that the rejecters of Truth may realise that they had indeed (surrendered to) Falsehood.

16.77. To Allah belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the Decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker: for Allah hath power over all things.

 In Surah  Al-Israa verses no. 98, 99 Allah reports:

17.98. That is their recompense, because they rejected Our signs, and said, "When we are reduced to bones and broken dust, should we really be raised up (to be) a new Creation?"

17.99. See they not that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, has power to create the like of them (anew)? Only He has decreed a term appointed, of which there is no doubt. But the unjust refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude.

In Surah Al- Kahf verses no. 21 Allah informs:

18.21. Thus did We make their case known to the people, that they might know that the promise of Allah is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of Judgment. Behold, they dispute among themselves as to their affair. (Some) said, "Construct a building over them": Their Lord knows best about them: those who prevailed over their affair said, "Let us surely build a place of worship over them."

In Surah Maryam verses no. 67, 68, 93 Allah relates:

19.67. But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?

19.68. So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell;

19.93. Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to ((Allah)) Most Gracious as a servant.

In Surah Al-Anbiyaa verses no. 104 Allah explains:

21.104. The Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed),- even as We produced the first creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have undertaken: truly shall We fulfil it.

In Surah Ar-Rum verses no. 19, 50 Allah express:

30.19. It is He Who brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living, and Who gives life to the earth after it is dead: and thus shall ye be brought out (from the dead).

30.50. Then contemplate (O man!) the memorials of Allah.s Mercy!- how He gives life to the earth after its death: verily the same will give life to the men who are dead: for He has power over all things.

In Surah Ya-Sin verses no. 78- 83 Allah reports:

36.78. And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own (origin and) Creation: He says, "Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?"

36.79. Say, "He will give them life Who created them for the first time! for He is Well-versed in every kind of creation!-

36.80. "The same Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! ye kindle therewith (your own fires)!

36.81. "Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like thereof?" - Yea, indeed! for He is the Creator Supreme, of skill and knowledge (infinite)!

36.82. Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, "be", and it is!

36.83. So glory to Him in Whose hands is the dominion of all things: and to Him will ye be all brought back.

In Surah  As- Saffat verses no. 16- 22 Allah informs:

37.16. "What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)

37.17. "And also our fathers of old?"

37.18. Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."

37.19. Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!

37.20. They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!"

37.21. (A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!"

37.22. "Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong-doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped-

In Surah Az-Zumar verses no. 42 Allah notices:

39.42. It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.

In Surah Abasa verses no. 24- 42 Allah remarks:

80.24. Then let man look at his food, (and how We provide it):

80.25. For that We pour forth water in abundance,

80.26. And We split the earth in fragments,

80.27. And produce therein corn,

80.28. And Grapes and nutritious plants,

80.29. And Olives and Dates,

80.30. And enclosed Gardens, dense with lofty trees,

80.31. And fruits and fodder,-

80.32. For use and convenience to you and your cattle.

80.33. At length, when there comes the Deafening Noise,-

80.34. That Day shall a man flee from his own brother,

80.35. And from his mother and his father,

80.36. And from his wife and his children.

80.37. Each one of them, that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him indifferent to the others.

80.38. Some faces that Day will be beaming,

80.39. Laughing, rejoicing.

80.40. And other faces that Day will be dust-stained,

80.41. Blackness will cover them:

80.42. Such will be the Rejecters of Allah, the doers of iniquity.

Some hadith about Kiamat:

The following is part of a lengthy Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood
(R.A.) when he inquired from Rasulallah (SAW) about the SIGNS OF QIYAMAH.

* Music and musical instruments will be found in every home.
* People will indulge in homosexuality.
* There will be an abundance of illegitimate children.
* There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, back- biters and taunters
in society.
* People will establish ties with strangers and sever relations with their near
and dear ones.
* Hypocrites will be in control of the affairs of the community and evil, immoral
people will be at the helm of business
establishments.
* The Masjid will be decorated, but the hearts of the people will be devoid of
guidance.
* The courtyards of Masjids will be built beautifully and high mimbars (pulpits)
will be erected.
* Gangsters and evil people will prevail.
* Various wines will be consumed excessively.

Abu Nadhrah says: "We were sitting in the company of Jabir bin Abdullah (R.A.) when he said: 'Soon the people of IRAQ will neither receive any food (grain) nor any money.'" We asked, "Why would such a thing happen?" He replied, "Because of the non-Arabs." (i.e they will prevent food from going into Iraq, in the form of "sanctions" to this day.) He then said: "Soon the people of Shaam (Syria) will neither receive any money nor grain." We asked as to why this would happen. He replied: "Because of the Romans (christians)."

Hadhrat Abbas (R.A) narrates that Rasulallah (SAW) has said, "Islam will spread far and wide, across the seas. Horses will cross the land and seas in the cause of Jihaad. Then a time will come wherein a group of people will emerge which recites the Qur’an. They will claim,  'We have recited the Qur’an and is there anyone who understands the Qur’an better than us? There is no one more proficient than us in the study of the Qur’an.' Then Rasulallah (SAW) asked the Sahaba, "Do you see any good in their claims?" The Sahaba replied, "No". Rasulallah (SAW) said, "But these conceited claimants will be from my Ummah and will be the fuel of the Fire."

Auf bin Malik (R.A.) says: I came to Rasulullah (SAW) while he was in his skin tent during the Tabuk expedition. He said to me, "Count six things before the advent of Qiyamah:

     * My death
     * The conquest of Jerusalem
     * Mass deaths amongst you people, just as when sheep die in large numbers
during an epidemic
     * Abundance of wealth to such an extent that if a person were to be given a
hundred Dinars he will still not be satisfied
     * General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it
     * Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the
Banil Asfaar    (Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an army    of twelve thousand men." -- (Bukhari).

Hadhrat Huzaifah (R.A.) says, Dajjal will be blind in his left eye. He will have
very thick hair on his body and he will also have his own type of Jannat and Jahannam with him: Although his Jannat will appear as Jannat, in reality it will be Jahannam and
likewise though his Jahannam will appear to be Jahannam, in reality it will be Jannat.
-- (Muslim)

Imraan bin Husain (R.A.) says Rasulullah (SAW) said: "Those who hear about Dajjal should stay far from him. By Allah! A person will approah him thinking him to be a Believer, but on seeing his amazing feats he will become his follower."

Ubadah bin Saamit (R.A.) once said, "I have explained Dajjal to you but I fear that you might not have understood. Maseeh Dajjal will be short, and his legs will be crooked. The hair on his head will be extremely twisted. He will have one eye (with which he can see, and this is the protruding eye about which other aHadith inform us) while his other eye will be totally flat. It will neither be deep (in its socket) nor protruding.

If you still have any doubt regarding him then remember that your Sustainer (Rabb)
is not one-eyed. (Because Dajjal will eventually claim to be Allah). In a lengthy Hadith narrated by Abu Saeed (R.A.), Rasulullah (SAW) is reported to have said: "Dajjal will come but it will be prohibited and impossible for him to enter Madina. He will set up camp in a barren land outside Madina. One person who will be the best of persons will confront him by saying: "I bear witness that you are the very Dajjal about whom Rasulullah (SAW) has informed us."

Dajjal will say to his followers, "If I kill this person and then revive him, you people will still doubt me?" They will reply, "No." He will then kill this person, (according to another narration he will split this person in two) and thereafter revive him. This person will say, "I am totally convinced more than ever before that you definitely are Dajjal." Dajjal will attempt to kill this person again but his efforts will now be in vain. (According to a hadith, after this incident, Dajjal will not be able to harm anyone.)

Hadhrat Anas (R.A.) says that Rasulullah (SAW) said: "Dajjal will come and finally reach the outskirts of Madina. There will be three tremors. At that time, all the disbelievers and hypocrites will flee (from Madina). In this way Madina Munawwarah will be purified of all the evil hypocrites.

Hadhrat Asma bint Yazeed (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) once came to my house and there he spoke about Dajjal. He said that before the emergence of Dajjal there will be three spells of drought. In one year the skies will withold one third of its rains, causing the earth to withold one third of its produce. In the second year the skies will withold two thirds of its rains, causing the earth to withold two thirds of its produce. In
the third year, the skies will withold all its water and there will be no crops that year. All animals, be they hooved or toothed, will die as a result. The greatest evil of Dajjall will be to approach anyone and ask him: "If I bring your camel back to life, will you then
believe that I am your Rabb?"

This person will reply, "Most certainly." Thereafter Shaytaan (from the many Shayateen who will always accompany Dajjal) will appear before this person in the form of his camel with a fat hump and fully laden udders.

Likewise Dajjal will appear before another person whose father and brother have long passed away and ask him, "If I bring your father and brother back to life will you believe that I am your Rabb?" This person will reply, "Why not?" Shaytaan will once again take on the appearance of his brother and father... -- (Ahmad)

Hadhrat Mughira ibn Shu'ba (R.A.) says that, "No one asked Rasulullah (SAW) about Dajjal as much as myself. Rasulullah (SAW) said to me, "How can he possibly harm you?" I said: "People are saying that he will have with him a mountain of bread (provisions) and a river of water."

Rasulullah (SAW) said: "In the sight of Allah he is much more disgraced than that. (i.e. Allah knows full well that in reality Dajjal has nothing with him, and all that which appears to be with him is but deception). --  (Bukhari and Muslim).

Other A Hadith regarding Dajjal inform us that: He will emerge between Shaam and Iraq, and his emergence will become known when he is in Isfahaan at a place called
Yahudea. The Yahudis of Isfahaan will be his main followers. Apart from having mainly Yahudi followers, he will have a great number of women followers as well. He will have with him fire and water, but in reality the fire will be cold water while that what appears to be cold water will in reality be a blazing fire. Those who obey him will enter "his Jannat" while those who disobey him will enter "his Jahannam."

There will be a thick fingernail-like object in his left eye. The letters "Kaa" "Faa" "Raa" will appear on his forehead and will be deciphered by all Mu'mineen regardless of them being literate or not. He will have a wheatish complexion. He will travel at great speeds and his means of conveyance will be a gigantic mule. It is said that he will play beautiful music, which will attract the music lovers. Dajjal will lay claim to prophethood.
He will then lay claim to Divinity.
He will perform unusual feats.
He will travel the entire world. He will send down rains upon those who believe in him, which in turn will cause good crops to grow, trees to bear fruit and cattle to grow fat. He will cause drought to those who disbelieve in him, resulting in starvation and hardship for them. During those trying times the Mu'mineen will satiate their hunger through the recitation of Subhanallah and La'ilaha Ilallahu. The hidden treasures will spill forth at his command.

 He will stay on this Earth for a period of forty days; the length of the first day will be one year, the second day will be equal to one month, the third day will be equal to a week and the remaining days will be normal. He will be unable to enter Makkah because the Malaikah will be guarding the Holy City and nor will he be able to enter Madina because there will be Malaikah guarding each of the seven entrances to Madina; From Madina he will proceed towards Shaam where Imaam Mahdi will be stationed. Finally Isa (A.S.) will descend from the heavens and pursue him and eventually kill him at present day Lydda (Baad Lud).

Abu Hurairah narrated that the messenger of Allah said :"Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his neighbour, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his guest."   --( Bukhari and Muslim)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “On the Day of Resurrection Allah will hold the whole earth and fold the heaven with His right hand and say, ‘I am the King: where are the kings of the earth?”-- Volume 9, Book 93, Number 479:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

That during the battle with Bani Al-Mustaliq they (Muslims) captured some females and intended to have sexual relation with them without impregnating them. So they asked the Prophet (SAW) about coitus interrupt us. The Prophet (SAW) said, “It is better that you should not do it, for Allah has written whom He is going to create till the Day of Resurrection.” Qaza’a said, “I heard Abu Sa’id saying that the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘No soul is ordained to be created but Allah will create it.” -- Volume 9, Book 93, Number 506:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet (SAW) said, “Allah will gather the believers on the Day of Resurrection in the same way (as they are gathered in this life), and they will say, ‘Let us ask someone to intercede for us with our Lord that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Then they will go to Adam and say, ‘O Adam! Don’t you see the people (people’s condition)? Allah created you with His Own Hands and ordered His angels to prostrate before you, and taught you the names of all the things. Please intercede for us with our Lord so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Adam will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking’ and mention to them the mistakes he had committed, and add, “But you d better go to Noah as he was the first Apostle sent by Allah to the people of the Earth.’ They will go to Noah who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention the mistake which he made, and add, ‘But you’d better go to Abraham, Khalil Ar-Rahman.’

They will go to Abraham who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention to them the mistakes he made, and add, ‘But you’d better go to Moses, a slave whom Allah gave the Torah and to whom He spoke directly’ They will go to Moses who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention to them the mistakes he made, and add, ‘You’d better go to Jesus, Allah’s slave and His Apostle and His Word (Be: And it was) and a soul created by Him.’ They will go to Jesus who will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking, but you’d better go to Muhammad whose sins of the past and the future had been forgiven (by Allah).’ So they will come to me and I will ask the permission of my Lord, and I will be permitted (to present myself) before Him. When I see my Lord, I will fall down in (prostration) before Him and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then it will be said to me, ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then raise my head and praise my Lord with certain praises  which He has taught me, and then I will intercede. Allah will allow me to intercede (for a certain kind of people) and will fix a limit whom I will admit into Paradise.

I will come back again, and when I see my Lord (again), I will fall down in prostration before Him, and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then He will say, ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then praise my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me, and then I will intercede. Allah will allow me to intercede (for a certain kind of people) and will fix a limit to whom I will admit into Paradise, I will return again, and when I see my Lord, I will fall down (in prostration) and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then He will say, ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then praise my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me, and then I will intercede. Allah will allow me to intercede (for a certain kind of people) and will fix a limit to whom I will admit into Paradise. I will come back and say, ‘O my Lord! None remains in Hell (Fire) but those whom Qur’an has imprisoned therein and for whom eternity in Hell (Fire) has become inevitable.’ “

The Prophet (SAW) added, “There will come out of Hell (Fire) everyone who says: ‘La ilaha illal-lah,’ and has in his heart good equal to the weight of a barley grain. Then there will come out of Hell (Fire) everyone who says: ‘ La ilaha illal-lah,’ and has in his heart good equal to the weight of a wheat grain. Then there will come out of Hell (Fire) everyone who says: ‘La ilaha illal-lah,’ and has in his heart good equal to the weight of an atom (or a smallest ant).” -- Volume 9, Book 93, Number 507:

 (This article have published in the ‘Editorial page’ of ‘The News Today’

on August 20, 2006)