Will the sun come close to people on the Day of Judgement?
Yes, authentic hadith say the sun will be brought very close to people on the Day of Judgement. People will sweat according to their deeds, but the Prophet ﷺ also told us who will be given Allah's shade on a Day when there is no other shade. It is a reminder to prepare, not to despair.
What the hadith says
Al-Miqdad reported that the Prophet ﷺ said that on the Day of Resurrection the sun will be drawn so close to people that it will be only a mile away. The narrator added that he was not sure whether "mile" meant a distance on land or the small stick used to apply kohl to the eye. People will be submerged in sweat according to their deeds: some up to their knees, some up to their waist, and some will be bridled by it, and the Prophet ﷺ pointed to his mouth (Sahih Muslim 2864).
Scholars do not try to measure this. Conditions on that Day will be unlike this world, so we accept the report as it is, without imagining it by earthly rules. People will stand before their Lord, as the Quran says:
Who will be shaded?
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah will give shade to seven kinds of people on the Day when there is no shade but His (Sahih al-Bukhari 660):
- A just ruler.
- A young person raised in the worship of Allah.
- A man whose heart is attached to the mosques.
- Two people who love each other only for Allah's sake and meet and part for that reason.
- A person who refuses a tempting invitation to sin because he fears Allah.
- A person who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand gave.
- A person who remembers Allah in private and his eyes fill with tears.
Other ways to seek shade
The Prophet ﷺ also said, "Whoever would like Allah to shade him with His shade, let him give respite to one in difficulty, or waive repayment of the loan" (Sunan Ibn Majah 2419). Kindness to people in hardship is therefore a way to prepare for that Day. These hadith are not a complete list of every reason for shade, and Allah's mercy is wider than any list.
How should I feel about this?
The aim of these hadith is to wake us up, not to frighten us into despair. It is a Day that Muslims prepare for with prayer, repentance, charity and good character. And Allah has provided help on that Day. See What is intercession in Islam?
For how long it will last, see How long is the Day of Judgement in Islam? For another hadith about that Day, see Will people be naked on the Day of Judgement?
- The sun will be brought close and people will sweat according to their deeds (Sahih Muslim 2864).
- The nature of this is unseen, so we accept it without measuring it.
- Seven kinds of people will be shaded by Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari 660).
- Giving respite to those in debt is another way to seek His shade (Sunan Ibn Majah 2419).
People also ask
Will there be sadness or pain in Jannah?
No. The Quran describes Jannah as a place with no fear, grief or fatigue, and hadith promise lasting health and youth. Hardship now is temporary.
Read the full answer →Will people be naked on the Day of Judgement?
Yes, an authentic hadith says people will be gathered barefoot and unclothed, but the Day will be too serious for anyone to look at others.
Read the full answer →Will my secret sins be exposed on the Day of Judgement?
It depends, but there is hope: a hadith says Allah screens a believer's sins and forgives them. Learn how repentance protects you on the Day of Judgement.
Read the full answer →Will I meet the Prophet Muhammad in Jannah?
Yes, there is real hope: Allah promises the company of the prophets to those who obey Him and His Messenger, and you will be with those you love.
Read the full answer →Will I be with my non-Muslim spouse in Jannah?
It depends on how your spouse's life ends, which only Allah knows. Learn what the Quran promises and how converts can keep hope and make dua.
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