Then if you slide back after the clear Signs have come to you, then know that Allaah is All-Mighty,
All-Wise.
Do they then wait for anything other than that Allaah should come to them in the shadows of the
clouds and the angels? (Then) the case would be already judged. And to Allaah return all matters (for decision).
Ask the Children of Isra'il how many clear Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations,
etc.) We gave them. And whoever changes Allaah's Favor after it had come to him, then surely, Allaah is Severe in Punishment.
(Soorah Al-Baqarah (2), verses 208 - 211)
There are ten big signs leading to the Day of Judgment. These major signs are prophesied as very close
precursors of the End of the Universe. It should be noted that these big signs will be drastically different from the daily
life events people experience and undergo, and as such will be immediately recognized. Whether, the people of that era will
be knowledgeable about or take heed from them is a different matter. But they will for sure realize that what is happening
is out of the ordinary. During this period the small unraveling signs will be fully materialized, to the extent ordained by
Allaah.
The ten signs (before the Day of Judgement) are given in many ahadeeth of the prophet , one of which
is:
Hudhaifah bin Asad Al-Ghifari reports that once the Prophet joined our company and we were engaged
in mutual talk. He asked, "What are you talking about?" The people said, "We were talking about the Resurrection." He said,
"Resurrection will not take place until ten signs appear."
He then pointed out the ten signs:
- 1. "Dukhan" (Smoke),
- 2. the Dajjal (the Antichrist),
- 3. Daabbat Al-Ardh (a beast),
- 4. Rising of the sun in the west,
- 5. Descent of 'Esa ibn Maryam (Jesus the son of Mary),
- 6. Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog),
- 7. Three big landslides: one in the east,
- 8. one in the west,
- 9 . one in the Arabian peninsula, and
- 10. a fire which will arise from the Yemen and will drive mankind towards the plain of Resurrection."
(Muslim [1], Abu Daawood [2] & Ibne Maajah [3])
The order and sequence in which they will occur is not known, but they will definitely, without doubt
happen towards the end of time. According to the understanding of Al-Baihaqi, the order will be the coming forth of the Dajjal
(the Antichrist), the descent of Prophet 'Esa , the setting loose of Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog), the coming forth of
the speaking beast, and the Rising of the sun in its place of setting. He argues that the non-Muslims will embrace Islam after
the second coming of Prophet 'Esa . If the sun was to rise in its place of setting, first, then their accepting Islam will
be useless, as the doors of repentance will be closed after this sign. Therefore the rising of the sun in its place of setting
will be a sign of the nearness of the Last Hour. However, this is only the opinion of a scholar [4] and as such not be taken
as an ordained order of events. |