Who are Gog and Magog in Islam?
Gog and Magog (Ya'juj and Ma'juj) are two huge groups of people who, according to the Quran and hadith, are held back behind a barrier and will break out near the end of time, spreading corruption until Allah destroys them. Their release is one of the ten major signs of the Day of Judgement.
Gog and Magog in the Quran
They appear twice in the Quran. In Surah al-Kahf, a righteous king called Dhul-Qarnayn travels until he meets a people who complain about them:
Dhul-Qarnayn builds a wall of iron and molten copper that they cannot climb or dig through, and says it will stand until Allah's promise comes (18:95-98). In Surah al-Anbiya, Allah says that when they are released, "they, from every elevation, descend" (Quran 21:96). See Should I read Surah al-Kahf on Fridays?
What the hadith add
- The barrier is weakening. The Prophet ﷺ once woke up alarmed and said that an opening had been made in the barrier of Gog and Magog, forming a circle with his thumb and finger (Sahih al-Bukhari 3346).
- A major sign. He listed their coming among the ten major signs before the Hour, alongside the Dajjal and the descent of Jesus (Sahih Muslim 2901).
- After Jesus returns. In a long hadith, Allah releases them after Jesus has defeated the Dajjal. They are so many that the first of them drink a whole lake dry. Jesus and the believers take refuge and pray, and Allah destroys Gog and Magog with a sudden affliction (Sahih Muslim 2937). See Do Muslims believe Jesus will come back?
Where are they now?
Honestly, we don't know. The Quran and Sunnah don't name a location, and the barrier hasn't been identified. Over the centuries people have linked Gog and Magog to the Mongols, various nations, or even modern powers, but these are guesses, and many have been proven wrong. Scholars generally advise believing what the texts say and leaving the "where" and "who" to Allah.
The names also appear in the Bible (Ezekiel and Revelation), which is one reason Christian friends may find the topic familiar. See What are the signs of the Day of Judgement?
Why it matters for you
The story isn't there to scare you. It reminds you that no human power lasts, that Allah controls the timeline of history, and that believers are rescued through prayer and patience, not through panic.
- Gog and Magog are mentioned in Quran 18:94-98 and 21:96.
- They are held behind a barrier built by Dhul-Qarnayn.
- Their release is one of the ten major signs, after the return of Jesus.
- Their exact identity and location are unknown, so avoid speculation.
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