What is the Day of Judgement in Islam?
The Day of Judgement (Yawm al-Qiyamah) is the day when Allah raises all people from the dead, gathers them, and judges every person for what they did in this life. Believing in it is one of the six pillars of faith in Islam, and it gives meaning to everything a Muslim does today.
How it begins
The Quran says the world as we know it will end suddenly: the trumpet is blown, the sky splits and the mountains crumble. Then the trumpet is blown again and every human who ever lived is brought back to life. The Prophet ﷺ said people will be gathered barefoot, naked and uncircumcised, just as they were first created (Sahih al-Bukhari 6527). Nobody knows the date except Allah. See What are the signs of the Day of Judgement?
A long and heavy day
The Prophet ﷺ said the sun will be brought close to people, and they will sweat according to their deeds (Sahih Muslim 2864). But some will be shaded by Allah on a day with no shade except His. These seven include a just ruler, a young person who grew up worshipping Allah, someone whose heart is attached to the mosque, two people who love each other for Allah's sake, and someone who gives charity so secretly that their left hand doesn't know what their right hand gave (Sahih al-Bukhari 660).
What happens on that day
- The records. Each person receives their book of deeds, in the right hand for the successful and the left for the losers.
- The questions. No one moves until asked about their life, their knowledge, their wealth and their body (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2417; some scholars grade it weak).
- The scales. Deeds are weighed with perfect justice, the Mizan.
- Intercession. The Prophet ﷺ and others will intercede, with Allah's permission.
- The bridge. Everyone crosses the Sirat over hell towards Paradise.
Perfect justice, endless mercy
On that day nobody is wronged by even an atom's weight. Wrongs between people are settled, so the oppressed get their rights back. At the same time, Allah's mercy is vast, and countless people will be forgiven for reasons they never expected. For Muslims, this is comforting: no injustice in this world goes unnoticed, and no small good deed is wasted.
The Day of Judgement is the final stage of a journey that starts with death and the grave. See What do Muslims believe happens after death?
- Allah will resurrect all people and judge them on one great day.
- Only Allah knows when it will happen.
- Each person receives their record, is questioned, and has their deeds weighed.
- Justice is complete, and mercy is greater still.
People also ask
What is the Mizan in Islam?
The Mizan in Islam is the scale that weighs every deed on the Day of Judgement. What makes it heavy: dhikr, good character and sincere faith.
Read the full answer →What is the Sirat bridge?
The Sirat bridge is set over hell on the Day of Judgement, and everyone crosses it to Paradise at a speed set by their deeds. What hadith say.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims go to hell for their sins?
Some Muslims may be punished in hell for a time for unrepented major sins, but no believer stays forever. How sins get erased and mercy wins.
Read the full answer →Is hell eternal in Islam?
Is hell eternal in Islam? Hell lasts forever for those who rejected God, but sinful believers leave it in the end. The majority view explained.
Read the full answer →What is hell like in Islam?
Hell in Islam (Jahannam) is a real fire far hotter than any on earth, with gates, levels and angels. What the Quran says, and why hope matters.
Read the full answer →