Muslims believe that the Day of Judgment will certainly come and that its exact timing is known only to Allah.

Allah says:

“Indeed, Allah alone has knowledge of the Hour.”
Quran 31:34.

When the Prophet Muhammad was asked about the time of the Hour, he replied:

“The one questioned about it knows no more than the questioner.”

Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Although the exact time is unknown, Allah has established signs indicating that the Hour is approaching.

Allah says:

“Are they waiting for the Hour to come upon them suddenly? Its signs have already appeared.”
Quran 47:18.

Scholars generally divide the signs into minor and major signs. This article focuses on a number of the minor signs mentioned in Islamic sources.

The Mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The sending of Prophet Muhammad is among the minor signs of the Hour.

The Prophet said:

“I was sent and the Hour are like these two.”

He then indicated his index and middle fingers, as reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The hadith indicates the closeness of the Hour in relation to the long period that preceded the Prophet’s mission.

The Splitting of the Moon

The splitting of the Moon occurred during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad.

Allah says:

“The Hour has drawn near, and the Moon has split.”
Quran 54:1.

Abdullah ibn Masud reported that the Moon split during the Prophet’s lifetime and that the people saw it in two parts. The Prophet told them to bear witness.

The event is reported in authentic narrations in Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The Death of the Prophet ﷺ

The death of Prophet Muhammad is another minor sign that he himself mentioned.

In a hadith narrated by Awf ibn Malik, the Prophet said:

“Count six signs before the Hour: my death, then the conquest of Jerusalem...”

The hadith was reported by Al-Bukhari.

The Prophet’s death subsequently occurred, making it one of the signs he had foretold.

The Opening of Jerusalem

The opening of Jerusalem was also mentioned among the signs preceding the Hour.

Jerusalem was opened during the caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, one of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

This event is therefore regarded as one of the minor signs that occurred as foretold by the Prophet.

The Appearance of False Prophets

Another minor sign is the emergence of people falsely claiming prophethood.

The Prophet said:

“The Hour will not come until about thirty liars are sent forth, each claiming to be a messenger of Allah.”

Reported by Muslim.

Several such claimants appeared throughout Islamic history, including Musaylimah the Liar and Al-Aswad Al-Ansi. Tulayhah ibn Khuwaylid Al-Asadi also claimed prophethood before later returning to Islam.

The Loss of Trust and Authority Given to the Unqualified

The Prophet also warned that the loss of trust would be among the signs of the Hour.

He said:

“When trust is lost, then await the Hour.”

He was asked how trust would be lost, and he replied:

“When authority is entrusted to those who are not qualified for it, then await the Hour.”

Reported by Al-Bukhari.

The hadith highlights the danger of assigning important responsibilities to people who lack the necessary qualifications and trustworthiness.

Women Described as “Dressed but Undressed”

A well-known hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah mentions among the signs the appearance of women described as “dressed but undressed.”

The Prophet said:

“Two types of people among the inhabitants of Hell whom I have not seen...” and then mentioned women who are dressed but undressed.

Reported by Muslim.

Scholars have explained the expression in different ways, including clothing that fails to provide proper coverage, is transparent, or is excessively tight.

The hadith serves as a warning against immodesty and the abandonment of proper standards of modesty.

The Spread of Usury, Adultery, and Killing

Prophetic reports also mention the spread of several serious sins and social problems before the Hour, including usury, adultery, and widespread killing.

A report states:

“Before the Hour, usury will appear.”

Another authentic report mentions the appearance of adultery among the signs.

The Prophet also said:

“The Hour will not come until killing becomes widespread.”

When the companions asked about the meaning, he explained:

“Killing, killing.”

Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

These texts warn against the destructive consequences of allowing such practices and violence to spread through society.

The Appearance and Legalization of Musical Instruments

A hadith narrated by Abu Malik Al-Ashari states that there will be people from the Prophet’s community who will regard certain prohibited matters as lawful, including musical instruments.

The hadith is reported by Al-Bukhari.

Scholars have discussed the legal rulings related to music and musical instruments in detail in works of Islamic jurisprudence and hadith.

Arabia Returning to Meadows and Rivers

Another sign mentioned in the Sunnah is the transformation of the land of Arabia into meadows and rivers.

The Prophet said:

“The Hour will not come until the land of Arabia returns to meadows and rivers.”

Reported by Muslim.

The hadith points to significant environmental changes in Arabia before the Hour.

However, individual modern environmental developments should not automatically be declared the fulfillment of this sign without clear evidence.

The Appearance of the “Ruwaibidhah”

Among the minor signs is also the appearance of the ruwaibidhah, referring to people who speak about public affairs without the necessary knowledge or qualifications.

The Prophet said that deceptive years would come when liars would be believed, trustworthy people would be accused, and the ruwaibidhah would speak.

When asked who they were, he described them as an insignificant or unqualified person speaking about public affairs.

Reported by Ahmad.

The hadith warns against the disruption of standards by which people recognize competence, honesty, and authority.

Have the Minor Signs Already Occurred?

Several minor signs have already occurred, including the mission and death of Prophet Muhammad, the splitting of the Moon, the opening of Jerusalem, and the appearance of false claimants to prophethood.

Other signs must be approached carefully. Not every modern event should automatically be identified as a specific sign of the Hour without reliable evidence.

The occurrence of signs also does not allow anyone to determine when the Hour itself will occur, because its exact timing remains known only to Allah.

What Should Muslims Do When Learning About These Signs?

The purpose of learning about the signs of the Hour is not to create despair or fear, but to encourage reflection and preparation for meeting Allah.

Muslims should use these teachings as a reminder to remain committed to faith, righteous deeds, repentance, and obedience, rather than attempting to calculate the date of the Hour.

Conclusion

The minor signs of the Hour are events and developments mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah as indications preceding the Day of Judgment.

Among the signs that have occurred are the mission of Prophet Muhammad, the splitting of the Moon, his death, the opening of Jerusalem, and the emergence of false prophets.

Other signs concern social and moral changes described in the prophetic traditions.

Ultimately, the exact time of the Hour remains part of the unseen known only to Allah. The proper response is therefore faith, repentance, righteous action, and preparation for the Hereafter.

What is one of the earliest minor signs of the Hour?
The mission of Prophet Muhammad is among the minor signs that occurred early in the sequence of events preceding the Hour.

Is the splitting of the Moon a sign of the Hour?
Yes. It is mentioned in the Quran and is established through authentic prophetic reports.

Was the opening of Jerusalem a minor sign?
Yes. It was mentioned among the signs in the hadith of Awf ibn Malik.

Have the minor signs already occurred?
Yes. Several have occurred, while other signs either have not occurred or cannot be confidently identified with specific modern events.

Can the time of the Hour be calculated from its signs?
No. The exact timing of the Hour is part of the unseen and is known only to Allah.