What does Islam say about the signs of the end times (Yawm al-Qiyamah)?

The Islamic understanding of the end of the world is called Yawm al-Qiyamah (the Day of Resurrection) and its preceding signs are the Ashraat al-Sa'ah (portents of the Hour). This is one of the six articles of Islamic faith: belief in the Day of Judgement.

The Two Categories of Signs

Islamic scholars divide the signs into:

Minor Signs — events that occur throughout human history, some already fulfilled, some ongoing:

• The death of the Prophet ﷺ (already occurred)
• The conquest of Jerusalem (occurred 638 CE under Umar ibn al-Khattab)
• A great fire emerging from the Hijaz visible in Sham (a fire in Madinah in 654H is cited)
• Widespread tribulation and fitna among Muslims
• The prevalence of lying, cheating, and the disappearance of trustworthiness
• The rise of people of no lineage or knowledge to positions of leadership (Ruwaibidah)
• Widespread killing until the killer does not know why he killed and the victim does not know why he was killed
• Earthquakes increasing in frequency
• Time seeming to pass faster
• The barefoot Bedouin competing in building tall towers (often interpreted as oil-wealthy Gulf states)

Major Signs — ten unprecedented events that mark the final phase:

1. The Dajjal (the False Messiah / Antichrist) — the greatest tribulation ever to befall humanity
2. The descent of 'Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, peace be upon him) — he will descend to Damascus, kill the Dajjal, and rule by Islam
3. Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) — a vast destructive force released upon the earth
4. Three major khusuf (sinkings of the earth) — in the east, west, and Arabian Peninsula
5. Dukhan (the Smoke) — a great smoke that covers the earth
6. The rising of the sun from the west — at this point repentance is no longer accepted
7. The Dabbah (the Beast) — an animal that speaks and marks people
8. A fire driving humanity to their final gathering place
9. The destruction of the Ka'bah by a man from Ethiopia/Sudan (Dhu al-Suwayqatayn)
10. The wind that takes the souls of every believer, leaving only the wicked when the final Hour strikes

The Sequence Matters

The hadith make clear that the emergence of the Dajjal is the pivotal event — almost every major sign flows from or follows this. The Prophet ﷺ said: "From the time of Adam until the Hour, there is no matter greater than the Dajjal." (Sahih Muslim)

The Ta'ifa Mansura — The Remaining Group

One particularly significant hadith cluster describes the Ta'ifa Mansura — the victorious group of Muslims who remain upholding the truth, based in Ash-Sham (Greater Syria/Levant), who continue until the Hour. This is directly connected to the final battles and the descent of Jesus ﷺ.

Contemporary Relevance

Many scholars caution against mapping current events too precisely onto prophetic signs — this historically leads to misidentification, panic, and sometimes dangerous movements. However, awareness of the signs is itself prescribed by the Prophet ﷺ: "Know the signs before they appear, just as you know your own son among your children." The purpose is spiritual preparation and recognition — not date-setting or political manipulation.

The Islamic Approach

The Quran repeatedly emphasises that only Allah knows the exact timing of the Hour:

The believer's response to the knowledge of signs is increased worship, ethical conduct, and reliance on Allah — not fear or political agitation.