Signs of the coming of Judgement Day

According to Islamic apocalyptic literature, the day of judgement (or Arabic: یوم الدین, romanized: Yawm ad-din, lit. 'Day of Judgement') will be preceded by a number of alleged immoralities and catastrophes, as well as the advent of apocalyptic figures. They are loosely based on the Quran and the hadith,^[1] collected around 150–200 years after the canonization of Islamic scripture and features several elements from other religions.^[2] There is no canonical accepted version of the signs of the Endtimes by either Sunnis or Shias.^[3]

While interpretations of what the Quran and hadith say about the end times are "diverse and complex", the signs of Judgment Day's arrival include disruptions in the order of both human morality and the natural world; but also the appearance of the saviors, Mahdi and Jesus, which "is seen to represent the ultimate victory of the ummah of Islam ... in some senses".^[4] Piety will be lost as music, wine drinking, usury, homosexuality, disobedience by wives and fornication abound, and the earth will be destroyed. However, during this era ʿĪsā (Jesus) and the Mahdi will also vanquish the Antichrist figure al-Dajjāl, while Allah will eliminate the monstrous Gog and Magog, liberating the world from injustice and restoring sharia.

The signs have been divided into minor and major by commentators. They are reported in various ḥadīth collections,^[5]^[6] and described in commentaries of various medieval Muslim scholars, including al-Ghazali, Ibn Kathir, and Muhammad al-Bukhari, among others.^[7] Islamic apocalyptic literature describing Armageddon (or fitna) is often known as Al-Malhama Al-Kubra (The Great Epic), or (in Shia Islam) Ghaybah (Occultation).^[8]^[9]

Quran

Many verses of the Quran, especially those revealed earlier, are dominated by the idea of the nearing of the Day of Judgement.^[10]^[11]

When the sun is put out, and when the stars fall down, and when the mountains are blown away, and when pregnant camels are left untended, and when wild beasts are gathered together, and when the seas are set on fire, and when the souls ˹and their bodies˺ are paired ˹once more˺, and when baby girls, buried alive, are asked for what crime they were put to death, and when the records ˹of deeds˺ are laid open, and when the sky is stripped away, and when the Hellfire is fiercely flared up, and when Paradise is brought near— ˹on that Day˺ each soul will know what ˹deeds˺ it has brought along.

Interest in end times

Traditionally interest in "apocalyptic speculation" was strongest among mainstream Shia (Twelver Shia), Isma'ili Islam, Sunni on the "doctrinal and geographic margins"—such as present day Morocco—but was weaker in the heartland of Sunni Islam.^[12] Various eschatological interpretations exist within Shia Islam. The concept of seven celestial Hells, as well as the idea that after death but before the End Times, one's soul would temporarily wait in either Paradise or Hellfire, are accounted for throughout Isma'ili Shi'i literature.^[13] Shia tradition broadly tends to recognize the coming of the Mahdi as signifying the coming punishment for non-believers.^[14]

Signs in Shi'i Islam

Five signs of Shi'i traditionalists

Scholar of Islamic Eschatology, Jean-Pierre Filiu, has identified "five signs" (al-alamat al-khams) of the Mahdi's appearance from anthologies of Shi'i traditionalists:

the return of the Sufyani, who is "the Mahdi's sworn enemy", and "identified with Umayyad tyranny";
in response to the Sufyani, "the Yemini"—the Mahdi's ally and "implacable" enemy of the Sufyani—will rise up against him;
there will be a "Call"—"a heavenly rallying cry of the partisan's of the Mahdi"—and in response a "demoniacal roar" from the bowels of the earth by his enemies, going back and forth for one entire month of Ramadan;
"the Pure Soul", a messenger of the Mahdi, will be assassinated;
an army sent against the Mahdi, will be swallowed up by the earth when a crack (khasf) opens up beneath it.^[15]

Mahdi Muntazir Qa'im

According to "Shi'ite narrations" by Mahdi Muntazir Qa'im in Al-Islam.org, the "ten signs" (although it lists fewer than ten) that must be seen before Resurrection Day will occur are:

sunrise from the West,
al-Dajjal and
the beast of the earth,
three lunar eclipses on the earth, one in the East,
one in the West and
one in the Arabian Peninsula and
the emergence of Jesus the son of Mary (‘a)^[16]

Sunni and Shia perspectives on the Mahdi

Sunni and Twelver Shia Islam have different beliefs regarding the identity of Mahdi.
Item	Sunni perspective	Shia perspective
Shared belief	In both the Sunni and Twelver Shia versions, the Mahdi confronts a world of strange natural disasters, war, chaos, ignorance, depravity, and wickedness. In both versions, he will be named Muhammad, appear to Muslims before Isa (Jesus), and be assisted by Isa in his struggle against and killing of the dajjal (antichrist), Muslims will declare/swear their allegiance to him (Bay'ah), and he will restore order and righteousness,^[17] ruling the world for a period of time.
Importance in doctrine	In Sunni Islam, the mahdi doctrine is a popular belief, but among scholars it is not theologically important. The two most authoritative compilations of hadith in Sunni Islam—Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim—make no mention of the Mahdi (nor does Nasai,^[18]^[19]^[20]^[21] although three of six canonical Sunni hadith compilations do—Abu Dawood, Ibn Maja, and Tirmidhi).	In Twelver Shi'ism, the largest Shi'i branch, the belief in the messianic imam is not merely a part of creed, but the pivot.^[22] Born in Samarra in 868 CE, the Mahdi has been in occultation (hidden) by divine command for over 1000 years, waiting for end times to reappear and put an end to injustice.
Any supernatural characteristics?	The Mahdi, though a leader of Islam as caliph (the traditional Sunni religious authority chosen by representative(s) of the community), a righteous man and among the descendants of Muhammad, will have a normal human lifespan (and not live for hundreds of years).^[23]	For Shia, the Mahdi is divinely ordained to be leaders and guides of the Muslim world (and thus all humanity). He became "the Imam of mankind" at the age five; has been in Occultation since 941 CE—over 1000 years—not hidden from view, but living on the earth among the people but unbeknownst to them.^[24] His titles include the Lord of the Resurrection (Qāʾim al-Qiyāma). Shia believe he will be the perfect being and the purpose of creation, and through him the world will come out of darkness and ignorance and "The earth will shine with the light of its Lord, the record ˹of deeds˺ will be laid ˹open˺, the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward—and judgment will be passed on all with fairness. None will be wronged." (Quran 39:69); to an era of reward for those "who laboured in fulfilment of (the Prophets') command and with knowledge", unlike previous eras where Allah prescribes the people to work, that of the enunciators of divine revelation (nāṭiqs) who came before him.^[25]
Arrival	Before his leadership starts, he will be unrecognized and flee from Medina to Mecca to take refuge in the Ka'ba. Then, against his will, he will be recognized as ruler by the people.^[26] He will then lead an army bearing black banners against the dajjal and his corruption.	The Shia version of the Mahdi will also reappear in Mecca. On the day of ashura (10th of Muharram; the day the third Shi'a imam Husayn ibn Ali was slain), he will stand with the sword of Ali (dhu'l-fiqar) in his hand,^[27] between the corner of the Ka'ba and the station of Abraham. Shia will come from all over the world to pledge their loyalty. A voice from the heavens will call the people of the world to his aid; the angels, jinns, and humans will flock around him.^[28] He will then go to Kufa accompanied by 5000 angels, which will become his capital. He will kill "all the hypocrites" and destroy their palaces there. He will send troops to kill the Sufyani in Damascus. Husayn and his slain partisans will then resurrect, as will other imams and Muhammad.^[28]
Lineage	He will be from the Hasanid branch of Muhammad's family, descended through Muhammad's daughter Fatima and her husband Ali.	He is of the Husaynid line of Muhammad's descendants,^[29] traced back to Imam ‘Ali (as), is: Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Musa Ibn Ja’far Ibn Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali Ibn al-Husayn Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (as),^[24] the last of a line known as the twelve Imams.
Name and appearance	His name will be Muhammad and his father's name will be Abdullah, thus making his full name Muhammad ibn Abdullah.^[17] He will have a broad forehead and curved nose.^[17]	His name is Muhammad bin Hasan and that he is the son of Hasan-al-Askari. He will be "a young man of medium stature with a handsome face", black hair and beard.^[30]
Will he kill the Dajjal?	The Mahdi will lead an army against the Dajjal, but it will be Isa who kills him.	The Mahdi (Imam Saheb uz-Zaman) will kill the Dajjal^[31]
After the defeat of the Dajjal	He will "usher in a short golden age" lasting seven, eight, or nine years until the end of the world.^[32]	After the killing of the Dajjal,^[33] conquering Constantinople, China, and "the mountains of Daylam", the Mahdi (Imam Saheb uz-Zaman) will rule the world with perfect justice for seven, eight, nine, ten, nineteen, twenty, or 1000 years^[34] (accounts differ), as Jesus (Hazrat Isa bin Maryam) helps him spreading the Islamic faith.^[33]

Raj`a (Return)

Raj`a (Arabic: الرجعة, romanized: āl rj'ah, lit. 'Return') in Islamic terminology, refers to the Second Coming, or the return to life of a given past historical figure after that person's physical death.^[35] Shia believe that the Mahdi will return, or more properly "reappear" (zuhur) with a group of chosen companions, having been alive but hidden in "occultation" since the year 874 CE.^[35] But at the same time, a group of "immensely wicked disbelievers" will also appear.^[36] According to the Shia scholar Sayyid Murtadha:^[36]

After the reappearance of Hadhrat Mahdi (a.s.), the Exalted Allah (s.w.t.) shall cause group of those, who had previously departed from the world, to return to this world in order that they may be partners in the reward and glory of assisting him (a.s.) and in witnessing Allah's rule over the entire world; He shall also cause the most obstinate enemies to return in order to exact revenge from them."

The return of the historical figures of Jesus and the Mahdi will signify the beginning of the Last Judgment and establish justice for those who were oppressed in their lifetime up until their death. The oppressors will be punished directly by the oppressed during this future reappearance.^[37]

Raj'a is mentioned in some Sunni works where the return of numerous people is cited, such as the Seven Sleepers, synchronous with the appearance of the Mahdi.^[38] According to Jalaluddin Al-Sayuti, in contrast to Shia belief, the return of Muhammad is not limited to a specific time in the future. Al-Sayuti did not mention if any other religious figures will return after death before the resurrection.^[39] According to Abu 'Abdullah Al-Qurtubi, raj`a is understood to be the lack of physical presence of a prophet, who marks his apparent death by absence in the physical world but will reappear, from time to time, to those who are pure in heart.^[40]

References

^ Cook, D. (2002). Studies in Muslim apocalyptic (Vol. 21). Princeton: Darwin Press. p. 9
^ Cook, D. (2002). Studies in Muslim apocalyptic (Vol. 21). Princeton: Darwin Press. p. 9; 301
^ Cook, D. (2002). Studies in Muslim apocalyptic (Vol. 21). Princeton: Darwin Press. p. 300
^ Smith & Haddad, Islamic Understanding, 1981: p.67
^ Stowasser, Barbara Freyer (2002). "The End is Near: Minor and Major Signs of the Hour in Islamic Texts and Context" (PDF). ETH Zurich. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
^ "Minor Signs". Retrieved 10 June 2021.
^ Smith, Jane I. (2006). "Eschatology". In McAuliffe, Jane Dammen (ed.). Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān. Vol. II. Leiden: Brill Publishers. doi:10.1163/1875-3922_q3_EQCOM_00055. ISBN 978-90-04-14743-0.
^ "Eschatology - Oxford Islamic Studies Online". 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
^ Yahya, Harun (12 May 2010). Portents And Features of the Mahdi's Coming. Global Publishing. Kindle Edition.
^ Isaac Hasson, Last Judgment, Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an
^ L. Gardet, Qiyama, Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an
^ Filiu, Apocalypse in Islam , 2011: p.49
^ Lange, Christian, ed. (2015). Locating Hell in Islamic traditions. Brill. ISBN 9789004301214. OCLC 945783598.
^ Renard, John (2014). Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader. Oakland, California: University of California Press. pp. 7–8. ISBN 978-0-520-28189-9.
^ Filiu, Apocalypse in Islam , 2011: p.27
^ Bihar, 6, 304, 3; cited in Mahdi Muntazir Qa'im (18 November 2013). "His Second Coming". Jesus through Shiite Narrations. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Arjomand, Said Amir (December 2007). "Islam in Iran vi., the Concept of Mahdi in Sunni Islam". Encyclopaedia Iranica. XIV (Fasc. 2): 134–136. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
^ Doi 1971, p. 119.
^ Furnish 2005, p. 11.
^ Esposito 1998, p. 35.
^ Doi 1971, p. 120.
^ Sachedina 1978, p. 109.
^ Rogers, Ed (26 October 2011). Islam and the Last days. Connection Publishing.
^ ^a ^b "Special specifications of Imam al-Mahdi (as)". A Shiite Encyclopedia. Al-Islam.org. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
^ Virani, Shafique (January 2005). "The Days of Creation in the Thought of Nasir Khusraw". Nasir Khusraw: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.
^ Madelung 1981, p. 291.
^ Halverson, Goodall & Corman 2011, p. 104.
^ ^a ^b Sachedina 1981, pp. 161–166.
^ Cook 2002a, p. 140.
^ Momen, Moojan (1985). An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelve. Yale University Press. p. 169. ISBN 0300035314.
^ Al-Musawi, Mohammad (22 February 2021). "Will Dajjal come before, during, or after the advent of Imam Mahdi (as)?". al-Islam.org. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
^ "mahdī Islamic concept". Britannica. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
^ ^a ^b Saeed Akhtar Rizvi (5 October 2012). "Part 3, some signs of the day of resurrection. (27) Specific Signs". Day of Judgement. Al-Islam.org. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
^ Tabasi, Ayatolah Najmuddin (12 September 2012). "An Overview of the Mahdi's Government. The Government of Truth. The Period of Rule". Al-Islam.org. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b Momen, Moojan (1985). An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelve. Yale University Press. ISBN 0300035314.
^ ^a ^b Husaini, Sayyid Husain (22 December 2021). "10. What is Raj'at (The Return)? Is Its Occurrence Possible?". 180 Questions -- Enquiries About Islam. Vol. 2. Various Issues. Al-Islam.org. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
^ Islam and the Modern Age, Volume 24, Page 61, Zakir Hussain Institute of Islamic Studies, 1993.
^ Writer. "Raj'a in view of Sunni Islam". eshia. encyclopaedia of Mahdiism.
^ Marwan Khlifat, Warakibtu Assafeena 1st Ed P.644 مروان خليفات. وركبت السفينة: 644
^ Al Tathkira Fi Ahwal Al Mawta Vol 1.P212, ar. التذكرة في أحوال الموتى وأمور الآخرة. 1/212

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