One of the tenets of Islamic theology is the idea of the Last Day, also known as Yawm al-Qiyāmah (Day of Resurrection) or Yawm ad-Dīn (Day of Judgement). For Muslims, it serves as a constant reminder that every decision, statement, and deed in this life has eternal repercussions rather than just being a far-off future occurrence. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ built on these divine revelations via his teachings, warnings, and examples, and the Qur’an continually exhorts Muslims to get prepared for that day.

Knowing that one day every soul will stand before Allah, fully accountable, his teachings were not only theological discussions but also genuine guidance, encouraging his followers to live lives of integrity, fairness, and mercy.

In this blog, we’ll explore the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings on the Last Day; covering its signs, its events, and how this belief shapes a Muslim’s daily life.

1. The Certainty of the Last Day

The Prophet ﷺ emphasised that the Last Day is an absolute reality. In one hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim, he said:

“The intelligent person is the one who controls himself and works for what comes after death, and the foolish person is the one who follows his desires and hopes in Allah without acting.”

For him, living in the Last Day meant living in expectation of it instead of just knowing it would happen. He reminded his followers that Allah alone is the only one who knows exactly when it is, not even the angels or the Prophet himself.
This uncertainty serves a purpose: it prevents complacency. The believer must remain vigilant, striving in good deeds as if the day could come tomorrow.

2. The Major and Minor Signs of the Last Day

The Prophet ﷺ described both minor and major signs that will precede the Day of Judgement. These are not meant to fuel endless speculation but to awaken hearts to the reality of the approaching end.

Minor Signs

Minor signs include moral and social decay, such as:

  • The spread of dishonesty and greed.
  • Leaders betraying the trust of their people.
  • Widespread disobedience to parents and disrespect for elders.
  • Wealth becoming so abundant that people no longer value it.

The Prophet ﷺ warned that these changes in society’s moral fabric are reminders for believers to stay steadfast.

Major Signs

Among the major signs he mentioned are:

  • The appearance of the Dajjal (Antichrist).
  • The return of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him).
  • The rising of the sun from the west.
  • The emergence of Gog and Magog.
  • Smoke covering the earth.

These events will shake the world and leave no doubt that the Final Hour is near.

3. The Day Itself: Scenes of the Last Day

The Prophet ﷺ painted vivid descriptions of the Last Day—not to frighten for fear’s sake but to awaken the heart. He spoke of:

  • The Trumpet Blast: When Israfil blows the trumpet, all will perish, and upon the second blast, all will be resurrected.

  • The Gathering: People will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised, standing under the scorching sun.

  • The Scales: Every deed, no matter how small, will be weighed. The Prophet ﷺ reminded us that even a smile or removing harm from the road can tip the scales toward mercy.

  • The Record of Deeds: each person will be handed their record—in the right hand for the successful and in the left for the condemned.

  • The Bridge (Sirat); thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword, stretched over Hellfire. The faithful will cross it swiftly by Allah’s mercy, while others will stumble.

4. Mercy and Intercession

One of the most hopeful teachings of the Prophet ﷺ is his intercession (Shafa’ah) for his followers on the Last Day. Though every soul will answer for itself, Allah has honoured His Messenger with the ability to plead for those who sincerely followed him and sought Allah’s forgiveness.

In a famous hadith, the Prophet ﷺ described how humanity will run from prophet to prophet on that day, asking each to intercede, until finally, they will come to him, and he will say:

“I am for it. I will intercede.”

This does not mean that one should rely solely on intercession and neglect good deeds—rather, it inspires hope while keeping one’s focus on living righteously.

5. Lessons for Everyday Life

The Prophet ﷺ did not speak of the Last Day to create anxiety but to guide people toward purposeful living. His teachings encourage:

  • Accountability: Knowing that Allah sees and records everything instills honesty, integrity, and self-restraint.
  • Patience in Trials: Hardships are temporary; the ultimate reward lies beyond this life.
  • Compassion and Justice: The awareness that every injustice will be corrected on the Last Day encourages fair treatment of others.
  • Focus on the Hereafter – While Islam values worldly responsibilities, the Prophet ﷺ warned against letting worldly gains blind us to eternal realities.

6. A Final Prophetic Reminder

In one powerful hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller.”
 (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The core of his lessons about the Last Day can be found in this simple counsel: this life is transitory. A believer shouldn’t grow overly dependent on earthly pleasures, just as a traveller doesn’t settle down in a distant country. Rather, the objective is to use Allah’s compassion to arrive at the ultimate destination, Paradise.

Conclusion

The Last Day teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are a compass for living, not merely predictions of far-off events. They act as a reminder that every decision counts, that justice will be served in the end, and that Allah is incredibly merciful to those who seek Him out.

Hope and fear are balanced by belief in the Last Day. Hope drives us towards virtue and remorse, but fear stops us from doing bad things. The prudent person gets ready for the afterlife, as the Prophet ﷺ taught, because faith and good acts are the only things that will count when the last trumpet is blown and the earth is flattened.

Therefore, let’s live today so that on the Last Day, we will be happy.

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