53: Signs of the Judgment Day

‘Before that day shall come,’ said Jesus, ‘great destruction shall come upon the world, for there shall be war so cruel and pitiless that the father shall slay the son, and the son shall slay father by reason of the factions of peoples. Wherefore the cities shall be annihilated, and the country shall become desert. Such pestilences shall come that none shall be found to bear the dead to burial, so that they shall be left as food for beasts. To those who remain upon the earth God shall send such scarcity that bread shall be valued above gold, and they shall eat a11 manner of unclean things. O miserable age, in which scarce any one shall be heard to say: “I have sinned, have mercy on me, O God”; but with horrible voices they shall blaspheme him who is glorious and blessed for ever. After this, as that day draweth nigh, for fifteen days, shall come every day a horrible sign over the inhabitants of the earth. The first day the sun shall run its course in heaven without light, but black as the dye of cloth; and it shall give groans, as a father who groaneth for a son nigh to death. The second day the moon shall be turned into blood, and blood shall come upon the earth like dew. The third day the stars shall be seen to fight among themselves like an army of enemies. The fourth day the stones and rocks shall dash against each other as cruel enemies. The fifth day every plant and herb shall weep blood. The sixth day the sea shall rise without leaving its place to the height of one hundred and fifty cubits, and shall stand all day like a wall. The seventh day it shall on the contrary sink so low as scarcely to be seen. The eighth day the birds and the animals of the earth and of the water shall gather themselves close together, and shall give forth roars and cries. The ninth day there shall be a hailstorm so horrible that it shall kill in such wise that scarcely the tenth part of the living shall escape. The tenth day shall come such horrible lightning and thunder that the third part of the mountains shall be split and scorched. The eleventh day every river shall run backwards, and shall
run blood and not water. The twelfth day every created thing shall groan and cry. The thirteenth day the heaven shall be rolled up like a book, and it shall rain fire, so that every living thing shall die. The fourteenth day there shall be an earth quake so horrible that the tops of the mountains shall fly through the air like birds, and all the earth shall become a plain. The fifteenth day the holy angels shall die, and God alone shall
remain alive; to whom be honour and glory.’

And having said this, Jesus smote his face with both his hands, and then smote the ground with his head. And having raised his head, he said: ‘Cursed be every one who shall insert into my sayings that I am the son of God.’ At these words the disciples fell down as dead, whereupon Jesus lifted them up, saying: ‘Let us fear God now, if we would not be affrighted in that day.’

An Islamic Perspective and Commentary
by
Ishaq Zahid

The following selection of verses from the Holy Quran describe the events of the Last Day. A lot more can be found in the Hadith books – collections of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).

And the Day that the Trumpet will be sounded – then will be smitten with
terror those who are in the heavens, and those who are on earth, except such as God will please (to exempt): and all shall come to His (Presence) as beings conscious of their lowliness. Thou seest the mountains and thinkest them firmly fixed: but they shall pass away as the clouds pass away: (such is) the artistry of God, who disposes of all things in perfect order: for he is well acquainted with all that ye do. If any do good, good will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be secure from terror that Day. And if any do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire: “Do ye receive a reward other than that which ye have earned by your deeds?” (The Quran, 27:87-90)

052.001 By the Mount (of Revelation);
052.002 By a Decree inscribed
052.003 In a Scroll unfolded;
052.004 By the much-frequented Fane;
052.005 By the Canopy Raised High;
052.006 And by the Ocean filled with Swell;-
052.007 Verily, the Doom of thy Lord will indeed come to pass;-
052.008 There is none can avert it;-
052.009 On the Day when the firmament will be in dreadful commotion.
052.010 And the mountains will fly hither and thither.
052.011 Then woe that Day to those that treat (Truth) as Falsehood;-
052.012 That play (and paddle) in shallow trifles.
052.013 That Day shall they be thrust down to the Fire of Hell, irresistibly.
052.014 “This:, it will be said, “Is the Fire,- which ye were wont to deny!
052.015 “Is this then a fake, or is it ye that do not see?
052.016 “Burn ye therein: the same is it to you whether ye bear it with patience, or not: Ye but receive the recompense of your (own) deeds.”
052.017 As to the Righteous, they will be in Gardens, and in Happiness,-

069.013 Then, when one blast is sounded on the Trumpet,
069.014 And the earth is moved, and its mountains, and they are crushed to powder at one stroke,-
069.015 On that Day shall the (Great) Event come to pass.
069.016 And the sky will be rent asunder, for it will that Day be flimsy,
069.017 And the angels will be on its sides, and eight will, that Day, bear the Throne of thy Lord above them.
069.018 That Day shall ye be brought to Judgment: not an act of yours that ye hide will be hidden.