One morning, the sun will rise from the west.
On that day, the door of repentance will close — forever. No new faith will be accepted:
لَا يَنفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَانُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِن قَبْلُ
“…no soul will benefit from its faith if it had not believed before.” (Quran 6:158)
These are not myths or legends. The signs of Qayamat (Ashrat al-Sa’ah) are documented prophecies of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, preserved in the Quran and the most authentic hadith collections — Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. And the remarkable fact is this: the early signs have already come true, within our own lifetime.
What Are the Signs of Qayamat?
Islamic scholarship divides the signs of the Hour into two categories: minor signs — events spread across history, many already fulfilled — and major signs — ten extraordinary events that will occur in rapid succession just before the end, “like beads falling off a broken necklace” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2211).
Minor Signs Already Fulfilled
1. The splitting of the moon. During the Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime, the moon split as a miracle witnessed by the people of Makkah:
اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ
“The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split.” (Quran 54:1; Sahih al-Bukhari 4867)
2. The death of the Prophet ﷺ, the conquest of Jerusalem, and the plague of Amwas. He foretold all three himself, naming them among six signs to count before the Hour (Sahih al-Bukhari 3176) — and each occurred exactly as described.
3. Barefoot shepherds competing in tall buildings:
وَأَنْ تَرَى الْحُفَاةَ الْعُرَاةَ الْعَالَةَ رِعَاءَ الشَّاءِ يَتَطَاوَلُونَ فِي الْبُنْيَانِ
“You will see the barefoot, naked, destitute shepherds competing in constructing tall buildings.” (Sahih Muslim 8)
Look at the skylines of the Gulf today — then remember these words were spoken 1,400 years ago.
4. Time passing quickly and killing spreading (Sahih al-Bukhari 1036), trust vanishing from people’s hearts (Sahih al-Bukhari 6496), and the Euphrates uncovering a mountain of gold (Sahih al-Bukhari 7119) — each ticking off before our eyes.
The 10 Major Signs — In Order
The Prophet ﷺ gave the major signs in a specific sequence (Sahih Muslim 2901, narrated by Hudhayfah ibn Usayd):
1. The Smoke (Ad-Dukhan). A vast smoke will cover the sky (Quran 44:10).
2. The Dajjal. The great deceiver — one-eyed, with extraordinary powers of deception. He will remain on earth for forty days: one like a year, one like a month, one like a week, and the rest like normal days. Every prophet warned his nation about him (Sahih al-Bukhari 7131; Sahih Muslim 2937).
3. The descent of Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام. He returns as a just ruler, breaks the cross, and kills the Dajjal (Sahih al-Bukhari 3448; Sahih Muslim 155).
4. Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) released:
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ
“Until when Ya’juj and Ma’juj are released, and they surge from every hill.” (Quran 21:96)
5–7. Three mighty landslides — one in the east, one in the west, and one in Arabia.
8. The sun rises from the west. This is the point of no return — the door of repentance slams shut, exactly as Quran 6:158 describes.
9. The Beast (Dabbat al-Ard) emerges from the earth, speaking to mankind (Quran 27:82).
10. A fire from Yemen that drives all of humanity to its final gathering place (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2183).
How Should a Muslim Prepare?
The purpose of knowing these signs is not fear — it is urgency. The Prophet ﷺ taught that the wise person is the one who prepares for what comes after death. Practical steps from the Sunnah:
- Guard the five daily prayers — the first thing judged on the Last Day (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 413).
- Seek knowledge — “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim” (Sunan Ibn Majah 224).
- Repent now — Allah accepts repentance “until the sun rises from the west” (Sahih Muslim 2703). The door is open today; it will not be open forever.
- Learn the Quran with understanding — the very revelation that describes these signs in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first major sign of Qayamat?
According to the hadith of Hudhayfah ibn Usayd (Sahih Muslim 2901), the ten major signs begin with the Smoke (Ad-Dukhan), followed by the Dajjal.
Has the sun rising from the west happened?
No. It is one of the ten major signs and has not occurred. When it does, repentance will no longer be accepted (Quran 6:158).
Who is the Dajjal?
The Dajjal is the great deceiver of the end times, described in detail in Sahih Muslim 2937. He will be killed by Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام after his descent.
How can I learn more about Islamic eschatology?
Study the Quran and authentic hadith with qualified teachers. At Noor Academy Pakistan, our certified male and female teachers offer one-to-one online classes in Quran, Tajweed, and Islamic studies for Muslims and their families all over the world.
Book two free trial classes today at nooracademypakistan.com — no payment required.
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