Introduction
The Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) represent one of the most intriguing and deeply impactful aspects of Islamic eschatology. In Islam, Qiyamah, or the Day of Judgment, stands as an essential belief that carries great significance. The descriptions of these signs are vividly found in the Qur’an and authentic Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Importantly, these signs serve not just as forecasts or metaphors; they are unmistakable divine signals pointing to the inescapable reality of the final hour.
In His boundless compassion, Allah ﷻ has alerted humanity about these signs to aid them in preparing themselves spiritually, morally, and mentally. The Signs of Qiyamah are categorized into minor (smaller) and major (greater) indicators. Minor signs encompass moral degradation, widespread ignorance among people, and societal disarray. In contrast, major signs introduce extraordinary occurrences such as the emergence of Dajjal (the false messiah), the return of Prophet Isa (AS), and the sun rising from the west.
These signs are meant not only to inspire fear but also to:
- Revive the hearts of believers to return to Allah in full repentance,
- Promote the pursuit of knowledge, especially concerning the final hour,
- Bring back love for Qur’an and Sunnah
- Establish self-growth, personal development, and righteous actions.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The signs of the Hour will come one after the other like beads falling from a string.”
(Musnad Ahmad, 16980)
When we look around today, we see many of the little Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) already manifested as the last hour gets closer with every passing day. It is important that we recognize and understand these signs, not simply for our knowledge but so we can prepare our souls for accountability, seek truth, and live a life pleasing to our Creator.
Overview of the Signs of Qiyamah (End Times)
Islam lists the Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) as consisting of two categories:
- Minor Signs (Ashraat as-Sughra) takes place gradually and may take place before Qiyamah, by many years.
- Major Signs (Ashraat al-Kubra) extraordinary, and often supernatural incidents that happen just before the Day of Judgment.
The minor and major signs show a timeline of moral, social, natural, and cosmic changes showing that humanity is entering its last stages of worldly existence.
Key Features: Signs of Qiyamah (End Times)
1. Minor Signs of Qiyamah (End Times)
Minor signs first began manifesting in the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and signs continue to manifest up to this day. The following are some major signs:
✅ The prevalence of immorality and mistrust
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Among the signs of the Hour is that knowledge will be taken away from people, ignorance will prevail, wine will be consumed, and zina – adultery will be everywhere.”
(Sahih Bukhari 80, Sahih Muslim 2671)
This Hadith accurately describes our world today, where what is forbidden in Islam is normal- immorality and dishonesty.
✅Disobedience to Parents
“When a man obeys his wife and disobeys his mother, and draws near his friends and keeps his father far, then know the Hour is near.” (Musnad Ahmad)
This typifies the decline of traditional family values, and is a mark of Qiyamah (the End Times).
✅Abundance of Wealth and Materialism
“The Hour will not come until wealth is in abundance and overflow…” (Sahih Bukhari)
If humanity has material wealth, it has never been more bankrupt in the spiritual sense; this really emphasizes the importance of this sign of Qiyamah (the End Times).
✅Tall Structures and Bragging
“You will see barefoot, naked, poor shepherds competing with each other building tall buildings.”(Sahih Muslim)
The competition for the tallest structure today is a prophetic reality that we are witnessing unfold in front of our eyes.
2. Major Signs of Qiyamah (End Times)
Major signs will occur directly before the Day of Judgement. Major events that shake existence:
✅ The Appearance of the Dajjal (Antichrist)
“The greatest tribulation to occur upon this earth from the time of Adam until the Hour will be that of the Dajjal”.
(Sahih Muslim 2933)
https://youtube.com/shorts/qYOFUgmmdqc?si=xl4LatonJmvY1fXv
The Dajjal will appear with false miracles, tricking countless numbers of people. Protecting oneself through prayer, knowledge, and Surah Al-Kahf is strongly encouraged.
✅ The Second Coming of Isa (AS) عليه السلام
“By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just ruler…”
(Sahih Bukhari 3448)
Isa (AS) will kill the Dajjal, break the cross, and uphold justice, this will be a major sign of Qiyamah.
✅ The appearance of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog)
“And they will break through every barrier and surge from every direction.”
(Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:96)
These evil and destructive tribes will bring about huge corruption before their sudden and miraculous destruction (as will be shown in this talk).
✅ The Smoke
“And wait for the Day when the sky brings forth a visible smoke.”
(Qur’an, Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:10)
This will impact both believers and non-believers and is yet more of an awe inspiring signal of Qiyamah (End Times).
✅ The Beast of Earth (Dabbatul Ardh)
“And when the Word is fulfilled against them, We shall bring forth a beast from the earth speaking to them…”
(Qur’an, Surah An-Naml, 27:82)
This supernatural beast will speak to mankind and mark the disbelievers.
✅ The Sun Rising from the West
“The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the west…”
(Sahih Muslim 157)
After this, there will be no more accepting of repentance, because it will be a clear sign of Qiyamah (End Times).
Conclusion
The Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) are sent by Allah as warnings and a spur to aim higher in faith and actions. The amount of minor signs we today, such as ignorance, immorality, disobeying parents, instability in society, and so forth, is astonishing; all of these are glaring examples of happenings we expect to appear in accordance with the prophecies made by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
As believers, we are supposed to ‘prepare’ ourselves for Qiyamah, not to speculate when it might happen. The Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) also shows us to:
- Enhance our acts of worship (Salah, fasting, Qur’an recitation, Dhikr, etc.).
- Strengthen our Iman, through sincere Tawbah, and reliance on Allah.
- Seek to study authentic knowledge that derives from the Qur’an and Sunnah in order to understand these signs with certainty.
- Involve our families and wider community, the youth especially, in comprehending the importance of this event.
- Maintain hope not fear, realize that tests are a test of sincerity and a chance for elevation.
There are several major signs of the Oncoming of Qiyamah such as the appearance of Dajjal, the coming back of Isa (AS) and the sun rising from the west, all of which have not happened yet. However, when it begins, these signs will all happen in succession, and there will be no time to prepare. So, now is the time for purification of self, rectification of character, and awakening of the spiritual self.
“And surely, the Hour is coming; therefore forgive with gracious forgiveness.”
(Surah Al-Hijr, 15:85)
There is no better time to return to Allah ﷻ. Because there are the Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) it does not mean we should lose hope for a better future. Instead, these signs should help us transform our hearts, our actions, our intentions towards the ultimate goal succeeding in the Hereafter.
FAQs
1. Do we observe any Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) at this time?
Yes, we are living in a time when many of the minor Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) have already occurred. Some of these include:
- The normalization of immorality and indecency in public, and media no longer pretends to be wholesome.
- Disobedience to parents and the breakdown of family traditions.
- A mass ignorance despite the accessibility of knowledge.
- Unjust materialism and greed.
- A high level of betrayal of trust and corrupt leadership.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ foretold these signs over 1,400 years ago, and we witness them daily. For instance, the Hadith of Sahih Muslim states:
“Among the signs of the Hour are that knowledge will be taken away, ignorance will be prevalent, alcohol will be consumed, and zina will be widespread.”
(Sahih Muslim 2671)
These Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) are not just random occurrences, but they are divine signs urging us to awaken spiritually. Although the major signs like the emergence of the Dajjal, the return of Isa (AS), and the sun rising from the west have not yet happened, the minor signs are sufficient to illustrate that the Day is approaching.
The awareness of these signs is a blessing from Allah ﷻ, a reminder for us to:
- Renew our Iman (faith),
- Sincerely repent for our sins,
- Commit to good deeds,
- Increase our knowledge and dhikr,
- Prepare ourselves and our families for the realities of the Hereafter.
Recognizing the Signs of the Qiyamah (End) is not merely about fear and doom; it is about preparation, contemplation, and submission to Allah’s will well before it is too late.
2. What should a Muslim do after witnessing the Signs of Qiyamah (End Times)?
When a Muslim sees the Signs of Qiyamah (End Times), they should take these events to heart and view them as a reminder from Allah ﷻ to return to Him. These signs were not just prophetic events, they are warnings and reminders for our spiritual accountability.
So, here is what a sincere Muslim should do:
🕌1. Increase in Worship (Ibadah)
- Perform consistent Salah (prayers) with khushu’ (humility).
- Read and contemplate the Qur’an every day.
- Increase voluntary fasts, night prayers (Tahajjud), and sadaqah (Charity, assistance).
- Always in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) such as SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar.
🤲2. Shadeed Tawbah (Repentance)
The Sign of Qiyamah is evident that repenting can only last so long before the opportunity is gone. You should:
- Seek forgiveness for your sins and faults of the past.
- Make a strong intention never to return to them.
- Return the rights of others, and repent from wrongs.
“O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance…”
(Surah At-Tahrim, 66:8)
🌙3. Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
- Imitate the Prophet’s ﷺ, good character, worship, and way of life.
- And relate to truthfulness, justice, kindness, and modesty.
- Learn the authentic Hadiths that deal with the Signs of Qiyamah (the End Time) to help you conduct your deeds and beliefs.
📚4. Seek Knowledge and Educate Others
- Understand the minor and major signs from reliable sources.
- Educate your family and community so that they can be alert.
- Do not be deceived by villainous superstition, believe only what you have found established in Qur’an and Sunnah.
🛡️5. Safeguard Yourself Spiritually
- Achieve memorization, then recite Surah Al-Kahf (18) every Friday for protection against the Dajjal.
- Beware of false concepts, false prophets, and social constructs that are against Islam.
Recognizing the Signs of Qiyamah (End Times) should produce two opposing feelings: fear of neglect, and hope in Allah’s mercy for the person who is steadfast in his thinking. By taking sincere action, Muslims can respond and use the knowledge as a vehicle for personal reform and universal guidance.
3. What is the biggest sign of Qiyamah in Hadith?
Among the authenticated ahadith of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), the coming of the Dajjal (Antichrist) is one of the most dangerous and biggest Signs of Qiyamah (End Times). The prophet Muhammad (saw) said to us:
“Never was there a fitnah, since the creation of Adam, greater than the fitnah of Dajjal.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2946)
The Dajjal will be a deceitful false messiah, performing seemingly miraculous acts, claiming divinity, and misguiding large groups of people. The Dajjal’s appearance is one of the final and most extreme Signs of Qiyamah (End Times). The fitnah he presents will be so great that even among the firmest of believers, if they are not prepared, there is a risk they could hesitate.
🔸 Important Features of Dajjal (from Hadith):
- He will be one eyed, with “Kafir” written on his forehead.
- He will claim to be God and will perform false miracles.
- He will traverse the earth in rapid succession enticing many and financing that will look like wealth or resource.
- He will have a hell and paradise, which is not what it looks like.
🛡️How to Protect Yourself:
- Recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday. The Prophet ﷺ said:
- “Whoever memorizes 10 verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal.”
(Sahih Muslim, 809) - Be with righteous scholars and strong believers.
- Avoid the Dajjal if he even hears about because of the power of deception he will have.
The coming of the Dajjal will be accompanied by other significant Signs of Qiyamah (End of Times), namely the return of Isa (peace be upon him), Ya’juj and Ma’juj, and the rising of the sun from the west.
It is vital for every Muslim to comprehend and prepare for these trials. Our faith, based on Qur’an and authentic Hadith, will help us to endure the fitnah we are facing. https://syedalazhari.com/
