Many people wonder what happens when the world as we know it ceases to exist. In Islamic tradition, the end of the universe is not a chaotic accident, but a meticulously decreed event known as Yawm al-Qiyamah i.e. the Day of Standing. As a fundamental Pillar of Iman (Faith), belief in the Day of Judgement transforms how a Muslim lives, acts, and treats others, turning every moment of life into a preparation for the Afterlife (Akhirah).
Yawm al-Qiyamah is the day of absolute justice and divine accountability. It is the moment when every human soul, from the first to the last, will be resurrected to stand before Allah (SWT). From the terrifying cosmic shifts described in the Quran to the hope-filled intercession of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), this day represents the ultimate resolution of human history.
In this detailed guide, we explore the signs, the events, and the spiritual significance of the Last Day according to the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
What is Yawm al-Qiyamah?
Yawm al-Qiyamah (The Day of Standing) is the appointed time when life on Earth comes to an end. It is also referred to by several other names in the Quran, including:
- Yawm ad-Din: The Day of Recompense.
- Al-Sa’ah: The Hour.
- Yawm al-Hashr: The Day of Gathering.
- Al-Waqi’ah: The Inevitable Event.
For a Muslim, belief in the afterlife (Akhirah) is essential. Without accountability, the trials and injustices of this world would lack ultimate resolution. Yawm al-Qiyamah is the definitive moment of resurrection when the trumpet blast ends the physical world and initiates the divine court of Allah. It serves as the bridge between our temporary existence and the eternal life of the soul, ensuring that every hidden intention and manifest action is brought to light. For the believer, this day represents the ultimate fulfillment of justice, where the oppressed are vindicated and the righteous are rewarded with everlasting peace.
Signs of the Day of Judgement
Before the Final Hour arrives, Islam teaches that there will be specific signs. These are categorized into Minor Signs and Major Signs of the day of judgement.
Minor Signs
- The passing of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- The competition in building tall skyscrapers.
- The spread of ignorance and the loss of religious knowledge.
- The increase in killing and senseless violence.
These minor signs serve as subtle yet profound reminders that the fabric of society is shifting toward the end of times. They signal a world where material growth often outpaces spiritual depth, urging every believer to remain vigilant and firm in their faith amidst increasing global distractions.
Major Signs
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned ten major signs that will occur in close succession, like beads falling from a broken string:
- The appearance of the Dajjal (The Antichrist).
- The descent of Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary).
- The emergence of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog).
- The rising of the sun from the West.
- The appearance of the Beast of the Earth.
- Three major landslides (one in the East, one in the West, and one in Arabia).
- The fire that will drive people to the place of gathering.
These major signs represent a monumental shift in the cosmic order, signaling that the window for repentance is closing and the Final Hour is imminent. Occurring in a rapid, unstoppable sequence, they serve as the ultimate trial of faith and a final warning for humanity to return to their Creator before the sun rises from the west.
Quranic Verses On Day of Judgment
The Quran provides vivid descriptions of the cosmic shifts that will take place on this day.
The Quranic Description
Allah says in Surah Al-Qiyamah:
Arabic: لَا أُقْسِمُ بِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ
Transliteration: La uqsimu bi yawm il-qiyamah.
Translation: I swear by the Day of Resurrection. – (Quran 75:1)
And in Surah Al-Zalzalah Allah says:
Arabic: إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا
Transliteration: Idha zulzilatil ardu zilzalaha.
Translation: When the earth is shaken with its (final) earthquake. – (Quran 99:1)
These verses serve as a divine awakening, utilizing the most powerful elements of nature to illustrate the magnitude of the Last Day. By swearing by the Day of Resurrection, Allah emphasizes its absolute certainty, while the description of the final earthquake reminds us that the very foundations of the world we find stable will one day yield to His command.
The Hadith on the Day Of Judgement
When a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about when the Hour would come, the Prophet replied:
Arabic: مَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا
Transliteration: Ma adadta laha?
Translation: What have you prepared for it? – (Sahih Bukhari)
This powerful question shifts the focus from the timing of the end to the quality of our own spiritual readiness. It serves as a timeless reminder that while the date of the Hour is known only to Allah, the opportunity to secure our fate through sincere worship and good deeds is happening right now.
Judgment Day in the Quran
Surah Al-Qiyamah
In Surah Al-Qiyamah, the divine oath underscores the inescapable reality of resurrection, framing it as a truth so profound that it defines the very purpose of our existence. Meanwhile, the imagery in Surah Al-Zalzalah depicts a total transformation of the earth, where every hidden secret and deed is finally brought to the surface as the physical world gives way to the spiritual reckoning.
The Deeper Meaning of the “Oath”
When Allah swears by a concept in the Quran, it is to draw our immediate attention to its supreme importance. By swearing by the Day of Resurrection, Allah is telling humanity that this event is as real and certain as the very existence of the Creator Himself. It is a call to move beyond the distractions of the temporary world and focus on the eternal home.
The Stages of the Day of Judgement
The Day of Judgement is not a momentary event but a long period involving several critical stages.
| Stage | Description |
| The Trumpet Blast | Blown by the Angel Israfil, the first blast ends all life, and the second initiates resurrection. |
| Al-Ba’th | The resurrection where bodies are recreated and souls are returned. |
| Al-Hashr | The gathering of all mankind on a vast, leveled plain (the Mahshar). |
| The Intercession | Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will plead with Allah to begin the Judgement. |
| Al-Hisab | The accounting of deeds where every individual is questioned. |
| The Scales (Mizan) | Deeds are weighed; good on one side, evil on the other. |
| The Bridge (Sirat) | A bridge over Hell that everyone must cross to reach Paradise. |
Explanation of the stages of the Day of Judgement
This section will explain the stages of the Final Day, and when the final day is declared.
The Accountability
During the stage of Al-Hisab, the divine courtroom is established, and every individual is brought forth to face their Creator without any mediator or interpreter. This is the moment of ultimate transparency, where the tongue may be silenced, and the limbs themselves will bear witness to what they have done.
The Five Essential Questions
According to the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), no person will be able to move from their spot on the Day of Judgement until they have answered five specific questions regarding their life on Earth:
- Life: How did they spend their years?
- Youth: How did they utilize their physical strength and health?
- Wealth (Source): How did they earn their money?
- Wealth (Expenditure): How did they spend their money?
- Knowledge: What did they do with the knowledge they possessed?
Arabic: لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا ابْنِ آدَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّهِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ خَمْسٍ
Transliteration: La tazulu qadama ibni Adama yawmal qiyamati min indi rabbihi hatta yus’ala an khamsin.
Translation: The feet of the son of Adam will not move on the Day of Judgement from his Lord until he is asked about five things. – (Tirmidhi)
The Presentation of the Books
Every person will be handed a record of their life, compiled by the recording angels. The manner in which you receive this book is the first major indicator of your final destination:
- The Right Hand: For those who were successful, they will receive their book in their right hand and will have an easy accounting.
- The Left Hand or Behind the Back: For those who rejected the truth and lived in sin, they will receive their book in their left hand or from behind their backs, signaling a difficult trial.
Allah says in Surah Al-Haqqah:
Arabic: فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ فَيَقُولُ هَاؤُمُ اقْرَءُوا كِتَابِيَهْ
Transliteration: Fa amma man utiya kitabahu biyaminihi fayaqulu ha’umuq ra’u kitabiyah.
Translation: Then as for him who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, “Here, read my record!” – (Quran 69:19)
The First Matter of Judgment
Salah
While the questions above cover the breadth of life, the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized that the very first thing a person will be held accountable for is their Salah (Five Daily Prayers). If the prayer is found to be sound, the rest of the accounting will be easy; if it is lacking, the rest of the deeds may be in jeopardy.
The Scales
Following the intense moment of accounting, the journey continues to Al-Mizan (The Scales). This is the physical weighing of a person’s life, where the abstract concepts of intentions and actions are given weight and placed upon a scale of perfect divine justice.
The Weighing of Deeds (Al-Mizan)
The Mizan is described as a scale with two literal pans, so vast that they could contain the heavens and the earth. Unlike worldly scales, it does not just measure the quantity of actions, but the sincerity and quality behind them.
Allah describes this moment in Surah Al-Anbiya:
Arabic: وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا
Transliteration: Wa nadaul mawazinal qista li yawmil qiyamati fala tuzlamu nafsun shaya.
Translation: And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly in the least. – (Quran 21:47)
What exactly is weighed?
Islamic scholars, based on various Hadiths, explain that three things may be placed on the Scales:
- The Deeds Themselves: Actions take a physical form to be weighed.
- The Records of Deeds: The scrolls or books written by the angels.
- The Person: The individual’s spiritual worth is weighed, regardless of their physical size in this world.
Things That Make the Scale Heavy on the Day of Judgement
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us specific ways to ensure our good deeds outweigh our sins on that day:
- Good Character (Husn al-Khuluq): The Prophet said, “Nothing is heavier on the believer’s Scale on the Day of Judgement than good character.” – (Tirmidhi)
- Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Two phrases are particularly beloved to Allah and heavy on the scale: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil Adheem (Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, Glory be to Allah the Supreme).
- The Testimony of Faith: A famous Hadith mentions a man with 99 scrolls of sins, but a small card with “La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah) outweighs them all because of his sincerity.
The Bridge (Al-Sirat)
After the weighing of the deeds, the final and most decisive physical trials of the Day of Judgement begin. Sirat, a bridge spanning over the depths of Hellfire that leads to the gates of Paradise. The speed at which a person crosses this bridge depends entirely on their light (Nur), which was earned through their faith and deeds in this world. These stages i.e. the Fountain and the Bridge, mark the separation between those who will enter eternal bliss and those who will face the fire.
Al-Hawd: The Prophet’s Fountain
Before crossing the final bridge, the believers who were firm in their faith will be granted a drink from Al-Hawd (The Cistern or Fountain). This is a gift from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for his Ummah.
- Description: Its water is whiter than milk, sweeter than honey, and its scent is more fragrant than musk.
- The Reward: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that whoever drinks from it will never feel thirst again.
Arabic: إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
Transliteration: Inna aataynakal kawthar.
Translation: Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar. – (Quran 108:1)
Al-Sirat: The Bridge over Hell
The Sirat is the final hurdle. It is a bridge stretched over the back of Jahannam (Hellfire) that everyone must attempt to cross. Its physical description in the Hadith is daunting: it is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword, with hooks and thorns designed to catch those whose deeds were insufficient.
The manner in which people cross the Sirat depends entirely on their Nur (Light). This light is a manifestation of their faith and good deeds on Earth:
- The Foremost: Some will cross as fast as a flash of lightning or a gust of wind.
- The Righteous: Others will cross like a fast horse or a running man.
- The Strugglers: Some will crawl, being scratched by the thorns but eventually reaching safety.
- The Fallen: Those whose weight of sins overpowers them will lose their footing and fall into the depths of the fire below.
Entering the Gates of Jannah
For those who successfully cross the Sirat, the ultimate goal awaits: the Gates of Jannah (Paradise). The believers will be welcomed by angels at the gates, saying:
Arabic: سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
Transliteration: Salamun alaykum tibtum fadkhuluha khalidin.
Translation: Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein. – (Quran 39:73)
Key Success Factors for the Last Day
| Action | Benefit on the Day of Judgement |
| Sincere Shahadah | Heaviness on the Mizan (Scales) |
| Daily Salah | The first successful check in the accounting |
| Sending Salawat | Nearness to the Prophet (pbuh) at the Fountain |
| Giving Charity | Shade from the intense heat of the sun |
| Reading Surah Al-Mulk | Protection from the punishment of the grave |
This journey from the grave to the gates of Jannah is the most significant path any human will ever walk. By understanding Yawm al-Qiyamah, we transform our temporary life into a meaningful preparation for eternal peace.
How to Prepare for the Last Day
The purpose of learning about Yawm al-Qiyamah is not to cause fear, but to inspire action. Preparation involves:
- Sincere Repentance (Tawbah): Regularly asking Allah for forgiveness.
- Maintaining the Five Pillars: Especially the daily Salah (prayer), which is the first thing questioned on the Day of Judgement.
- Good Character (Akhlaq): The Prophet said that nothing is heavier on the scale than good character.
- Charity (Sadaqah): Giving to those in need protects one from the heat of the Day of Gathering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Yawm al-Qiyamah is the ultimate moment of accountability that gives every action in this life eternal significance. By understanding the signs, the stages of the Judgement, and the importance of the Mizan, we can transform our daily lives into a sincere preparation for the Afterlife. Ultimately, while the Day is a manifestation of divine justice, it is also the day where Allah’s mercy is most profound for those who strive to follow the path of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
FAQs:
What is the primary purpose of Yawm al-Qiyamah?
It is the day of ultimate accountability where every human is resurrected to be judged by Allah for their deeds and intentions.
Who knows the exact timing of the Last Hour?
The exact date and time of the Day of Judgement is “Ilm al-Ghayb” (Hidden Knowledge) known only to Allah, not even the angels or Prophets.
What is the difference between Minor and Major signs?
Minor signs are general changes in society and morality over time, while Major signs are ten specific, miraculous events that signal the immediate end of the world.
Which deed is the first to be questioned on the Day of Judgement?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that the first matter a person will be held accountable for is their five daily prayers (Salah).
What is the “Mizan” in Islamic eschatology?
The Mizan is the divine Scale of Justice that physically weighs a person’s good and bad deeds to determine their spiritual standing and destination.
