In Islam, the Day of Judgment, also called Yawm al-Qiyamah, is one of the basic tenets which speak about the destruction of the world and the start of life that will be endless, where every single individual will be presented before the Lord for judgment, keeping in view his or her good and bad actions. The signs that will occur before this tremendous happening have been abundantly discussed in both the Qur'an and Hadith. These signs are meant to warn and remind humanity of their deeds and to repent before it is too late. Different scholars divide the signs of Day of Judgment broadly into two categories: minor signs and major signs. The lesser of the two categories of signs, which are earlier in nature, is called Ashraat al-Sughra, while more extraordinary events will directly indicate the nearness of the Day of Judgment; these are the major signs, Ashraat al-Kubra.

The Minor Signs (Ashraat al-Sughra)

The minor signs are numerous and started with the Mission of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Indeed, his prophethood is said to be one of the earliest signs of the Last Hour. Some of these signs have already happened while others remain in the process. Herein come some important minor signs, substantiated by the Qur'an verses and authentic Hadith.

1. The Mission of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The coming of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is considered among the first of the signs for the Day of Judgment. With his arrival was the beginning of counting down to the end. He said in one hadith, "I have been sent and the Hour as these two"-and he joined his forefinger and middle finger together-to illustrate the proximity of his mission to the Day of Judgment (Sahih al-Bukhari).

This hadith means that no other prophet will come after him and his message completes the chain of revelation sent by Allah.

2. The Death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Another significant minor sign is the death of the Prophet Muhammad. His death had formed a major shift in the history of Islam; his death is considered to presage the end times. The Prophet himself pointed to his death as a sign where he said, "Count six things before the Hour: my death, the conquest of Jerusalem." (Sahih al-Bukhari).

3. Increased Immorality and Corruption

One of the minor signs that keep recurring is the increase in immoral acts and the decrease in high morals and ethics. The Prophet-PBUH-also warned against a time when sinning would become so prevalent: "Among the signs of the Hour is that obscenity and vulgarity will become widespread, and fornication will be prevalent" (Sahih Muslim).

Allah warns against such in the Qur'an and urges people to avoid it:

"And do not approach adultery. Indeed, it is an abomination and an evil way" (Qur'an 17:32).

4. Rampant Deceit and Disrespect

Another sign is that social order will break down, and people will no longer trust one another. The Prophet -peace be upon him-said:

"The Hour will not come until trustworthiness is lost, and people will take dishonest individuals as their leaders" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

There will also be the general disrespect to parents and elders, as in the Hadith:

"Among the signs of the Hour is that people will disobey their parents, and the voices of the lowest people in the society will be raised high" (Sunan at-Tirmidhi).

5. People Competing in Building Tall Structures

The Prophet PBUH predicted that there would be a race among the people in the construction of high-rise buildings. This, he said, would be one of the major signs of the developments in social and economic spheres during the end times: "You will also see bare-footed, destitute herdsmen competing in constructing high-rise buildings" (Sahih Muslim).

This prophecy has been interpreted by many to find fulfillment in modern times, partly due to the tall skyscrapers built on the Arabian Peninsula and other places which are considered to be the dwelling places of nomadic tribes competing in raising edifices to greater heights.

6. Knowledge Will Be Taken Away

The second great sign is the loss of knowledge; it does not mean technological or scientific knowledge, while referring to the death of Islamic scholars and the emergence of ignorant leaders who mislead the people. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

"Allah will not take away the knowledge by taking it away from the hearts of the people, but He will take it away by the death of the scholars until there will remain no religious scholar. Then people will take ignorant leaders; they will issue verdicts without knowledge, they will go astray and lead others astray" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

7. Increased Killing and Bloodshed

One more important signs of the emergence of the Hour are widespread killing and violence. The Prophet -peace is upon him- said:

"The Hour will not come until there is much harj." They asked, "What is harj?" He said, "Killing, killing!" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

It is explained that this is one of the indications of collapse in society when murder and mayhem become common.

8. Time Will Pass Quickly

In another hadith, the Prophet -peace is upon him- said:

"The Hour will not come until time passes quickly, years will feel like months, months will feel like weeks, and weeks will feel like days" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

 This could be to do with subjective passage of time and objective pace of life that is hastened by technological and communicational developments.

Major Signs Ashraat al-Kubra

Unlike the case of the minor signs, these major signs will be great incidents that will occur not very long before the Day of Resurrection. These signs are of an extraordinary nature and will signal the imminent end. According to the Qur'an and Hadith, there are ten major signs that will happen in quick succession. The first is that of the coming of the Mahdi.

The Mahdi is the divinely guided leader who shall come forth at the end of time prior to the Day of Judgment to revive justice and righteousness among human beings in this world. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "The Mahdi shall appear when there is great tumult and he shall rule for seven or nine years filling the earth with justice when previously it had been filled with oppression" (Sunan Abu Dawood).

2. The Coming of the Dajjal Antichrist

Dajjal is the false Christ who will emerge and claim divinity for himself. He will lead many people astray by his miraculous powers. The Prophet -peace be upon him-talked about the Dajjal in many Hadith and mentioned that among all the creation of Adam to the Hour, he will be the most grievous creation: "Between the creation of Adam and the Hour, there is no creation more troublesome than the Dajjal" (Sahih Muslim).

He will spread corruption on earth until he gets killed by Prophet Isa - Jesus .

3. The Return of Prophet Isa - Jesus, Peace be upon him

It is believed that Prophet Isa in heaven returns before the Day of Judgment to defeat the Dajjal and brings justice again. Allah says in the Qur'an:

"And indeed, Jesus will be a sign for the Hour, so do not doubt it, and follow Me. This is a straight path" (Qur'an, 43:61).

The second coming of Isa forms a part of the end-times scenario and that he would rally the believers to take on the evil forces.

4. The Emergence of Gog and Magog (Yajuj and Majuj)

Gog and Magog comprise two tribes that will break loose from their barrier, spread corruption on earth, and lead to great destruction. The names of Gog and Magog appear in the following verse in Surah Al-Kahf:

"But when the promise of my Lord comes, He will level it, and the promise of my Lord is ever true. And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and the Horn will be blown, and We will gather them in one gathering" (Qur'an, 18:98-99).

They will cause destruction until Allah annihilates them.

5. The Smoke (Dukhan)

A great smoke is going to occur in the earth, through which everybody will suffer. The Qur'an describes it in the following words in Surah Ad-Dukhan:

"Then wait for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke covering the people; this is a painful torment" (Qur'an 44:10-11).

Some scholars consider this smoke metaphorical, while others take it as an actual happening which is going to trouble the believers as well as the disbelievers.

6. The Beast of the Earth (Dabbat al-Ard)

A wonderful beast shall come out of the ground and shall brand the people according to their belief. The Qur'an relates to this beast:

"And when the word falls on them, We will bring out for them a creature from the earth, speaking to them, because the people did not believe with certainty in Our signs" (Qur'an, 27:82).

This event will shut the door of Taubah.

7. The Sun Rising from the West

One of the most dramatic signs includes the rising of the sun from the west, which is opposite to its usual course. The Prophet -peace be upon him-said: "The Hour will not come until the sun rises from the west. When the people see it, everyone will believe, but that will be the time when belief will no longer be accepted" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Once this sign occurs, repentance will no longer be accepted because it closes the door on mercy.

8. The Three Major Landslides

One of the major great signs of the Day of Judgment is three major landslides that will shake earth to its core. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

"The Hour will not come until you witness three landslides—one in the East, one in the West, and one in the Arabian Peninsula" (Sahih Muslim).

These landslides shall be very destructive and also point to the nearness of the Hour. No specific venues are mentioned, but the intensities of such happenings would have no match.

9. A Fire that Will Drive People to Their Place of Gathering

Another major sign is the emergence of a great fire, whose origin will be Yemen, and it will pass over the land and gather people together for the final judgment. The Prophet -peace be upon him-said: "The last of the signs will be a fire which will emerge from Yemen, and it will gather the people to their place of assembly" Sahih Muslim.

This fire will drive people to a specific place where the final reckoning will take place. This is the end of life on earth as people know it.

10. The Blowing of the Trumpet (As-Sur)

The last and most catastrophic happening that would signal the commencement of the Day of Judgment is the blowing of the trumpet by the angel Israfil. There are two different blowings into this trumpet-once to make everything alive on earth die, and once to resurrect the dead into life for judgment. In the Qur'an, this is mentioned in various places, for example:

"And the Trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on" (Qur'an, 39:68).

And with it, the physical universe will be destroyed; the Day of Resurrection-also called Yawm al Ba'ath-will follow, when every soul will be judged based on its actions.

Day of Accountability: Yawm al-Qiyamah

It is said that the Day of Judgment will start with the blowing of the trumpet and the resurrection of all creation. Qu'ran and Hadith describe this as a day of ultimate terror and awe-a day when every soul will be accountable for what it had performed. Allah says:

"The Day when they will come forth, nothing about them will be hidden from Allah. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allah, the One, the Prevailing" (Qur'an, 40:16).

That day, the scales of justice will be set up and no action, major or minor, will escape detection. Allah says:

And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant" (Qur'an 21:47).

The righteous shall receive Paradise, and those who forged denial of faith and perpetrated impious actions shall be afflicted by Hell's torments.

Conclusion

The minor and major signs of the Day of Judgment in Islam send a clear reminder to the Muslims to be steadfast in faith, getting ready for the inevitable. Minor signs demonstrate the gradual moral and social breakdown associated with the end times that can already be seen in today's world. The major signs, however, are striking and beyond-dispute events that will indicate the imminence of the final Hour.

While the Qur'an and Hadith do remind that the exact time of the commencement of the Day of Judgment is known only to Allah, the signs are not to be overlooked. Muslims are invited to reflect upon these signs, turn to Allah in repentance, and to strive for righteous lives, for Day of Judgment is sure to come. As Allah reminds us:

They ask thee about the Hour, saying, 'When will it come to pass?' Say, 'The knowledge thereof is with my Lord alone. Alone He shall manifest it at its appointed hour. Heavy is it in the heavens and the earth. It cometh not to you but suddenly.' They ask thee as though thou art acquainted with it. Say, 'Its knowledge is with Allah alone and most of the people don't know." [Holy Qur'an, 7:187].