The Quran says a day will come when the whole universe will be destroyed and time will end. The dead will be resurrected for judgment by God. This day will be the beginning of a life that will never end. This day is the Day of Judgment where people will be rewarded by God according to their beliefs and deeds.
‘People ask you concerning the Hour. Say,’ Knowledge of it is only with Allah. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.’
Quran [33:63]
This refers to the Day of Judgement and indicates that it is near. ‘The Hour’ means the time of reckoning for your deeds and can mean either the lesser hour after a person dies and his reckoning starts immediately after death or the greater Hour when all of mankind will be resurrected to be judged on their deeds.
Muslim beliefs about Judgment Day
Muslims believe that the present life is only a trial preparation for the next realm of existence. This life is a test for each individual for the life after death. Those who die while believing that “There is no true God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God” and are Muslim will be rewarded on that day and will be admitted to Paradise forever.
We learn from the Quran that this world will come to an end. Muslims don’t view this life as the end, but only as the start of the next life, determined by how you lived this life.
Belief in the life hereafter (Akhirah) – after a person’s death and also at the end of this world – is one of the six tenets of a Muslim’s faith (the others being belief in Allah, His angels, His revealed books, His prophets and messengers, and the Divine decree).
‘Indeed, the Hour is coming – I almost conceal it – so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.’
Quran [20:15]
‘(The time of) their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.’
Quran [21:1]
The word in the Quran ‘al-Saa’ah’ used on its own refers to the greater Hour of Judgement Day. Only Allah knows when this day will take place but there are minor and major signs that will appear just before to indicate the nearness to the end.
Quran Surahs on the end times
Some Surahs (Chapters) of the Quran contain many verses relating to the last day and the Day of Judgement. These include:
1. Surah Dukhan (The Smoke)
No. 44 This Surah warns about the punishment of Allah. When the punishment will come then no one can avert it. The division between the righteous and wicked in the Hereafter will be the final decision of Allah.
2. Surah Waqiah (The Event)
No.56. This discusses the subject of death, resurrection and divine judgement. The Surah talks about the resurrection that will definitely take place saying it is an undeniable fact. The human beings then will be in three different groups. The faithful are of two types: those who are the pioneers and are foremost in their faith and struggle in the path of Allah. They are a large number from amongst the earlier community and a small from among the later generations. Then the rest of the people are believers and the last group are those who oppose the faith. Allah’s rewards are for the faithful and his anger and punishment is waiting for the opponents of faith.
3. Surah Qiyamah (The Resurrection)
No. 75 This Surah talks about the spiritual resurrection of the soul when it becomes aware of its Lord and it speaks about the physical resurrection that will take place on the Day of Judgement.
4. Surah Naba (The Great News)
No. 78 This Surah gives important news or message. It tells us that the Day of Decision is coming. This beautiful and orderly universe is pointing to the Day of Decision. Allah will bring all people to judgement. The wicked will be thrown in hell and the righteous will receive their reward from Allah.
5. Surah Takwir (The Overthrowing)
No.81 This Surah talks about the end of the world. In a very powerful way, it gives us some of the scenes of the Last Day. All the natural power as well as the human power and authority will come to an end. This is a serious message and not the words of a madman. The purpose of this message is to remind people to become morally upright.
6. Surah Infitar (The Cleaving)
No 82. This Surah reminds human beings that Allah has given them a wonderful proportionate shape, but they and the whole universe are totally dependent upon Allah. The creation has a purpose and the Day of Judgment will come.
7. Surah Inshiqaq (The splitting Asunder)
No 84. This Surah tells us that this world has no permanence. It also speaks about the record of deeds and the rewards of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked. It reminds people to pay attention to the Quran.
Signs of the Hour
No one can know when the Day of Judgement will occur, Allah has taught his messengers some of the signs to make people alert to the approaching time.
Some of the minor signs include the taking away of knowledge and the prevalence of ignorance, the spread of usury or interest, the prevalence of musical instruments, widespread consumption of alcohol, shepherds competing in constructing tall buildings, widespread killing and widespread earthquakes. These and many more have been quoted in authentic hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW).
The Major Signs of the Day of Judgement
The major signs of the Hour are those which were mentioned by the Prophet (SAW) in the hadith of Hudhayfah ibn Aseed (RA) and there are ten signs, amongst which are: The Dajjaal; the descent of ‘Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary); Gog and Magog; three landslides, one in the east, one in the west and one in the Arabian Peninsula; the smoke; the rising of the sun from the west; the Beast; and the fire which will drive the people to their place of gathering. These signs will appear one after another, and when the first of these signs appear, the others will come soon after.
We must prepare ourselves for these dangerous times where every part of our imaan will be tested. We must pray to Allah that he saves us from these trials and grants us death with faith.
Follow us on https://medium.com/@qrecital
