End Times & Eschatology

The Beast and the Sun Rising From the West

The Beast (Dābbah) and the Sun Rising from the West: Signs of the Hour in Islam

Intro

Introduction:
Imagine waking up one day to see the sun rising from the West instead of the East. Imagine a mysterious Beast emerging from the earth and speaking to humanity. These scenarios sound like science fiction, yet they are real events foretold in Islam. In Islamic teaching, such extraordinary occurrences are among the major signs of the Hour (the Day of Judgment). They serve as powerful reminders of Allah’s control over the universe and the truth of the Prophet Muhammad’s message. Muslims and even curious non-Muslims find in these prophecies both a warning and a hope – a warning of the world’s impending end and a hope in the ultimate justice and wisdom of God.

In this article, we will explore two remarkable end-times signs: “The Beast” (Arabic: Dābbat al-Arḍ, دابة الأرض) and the sun’s rising from the West. We’ll discuss what they are, where they are mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith, how classical and contemporary Sunni scholars have explained them, and what lessons they hold for us today. The tone here is modern and conversational, aiming to inspire and educate, and to highlight the beauty and clarity of Islam’s message. Let’s dive in.

Major Signs of the Day of Judgment in Islam

In Islamic eschatology (knowledge of the end times), there are minor signs and major signs that precede the Day of Judgment. Minor signs are numerous everyday events and moral trends that slowly set the stage (many of which have already occurred), whereas major signs (al–ʿAlāmāt al-Kubrā) are extraordinary, earth-shaking events that will occur near the end of time. The appearance of The Beast and the Sun Rising from the West are two of these major signs.

According to a famous hadith, ten major signs will occur in the final era of the world. These include the coming of Ad-Dajjāl (the Antichrist), the return of Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus), the appearance of Ya’jūj and Ma’jūj (Gog and Magog), a great smoke, three landslides, a fire from Yemen, and notably the Beast and the sun rising in the West. These signs are not in a random order; Islamic teachings indicate a sequence and interconnection among them. Below are authentic narrations from the Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) that list these events:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim): Hudhayfah bin Usaid reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came upon us while we (the Companions) were discussing. He said, “What are you talking about?” They said, “We are talking about the Hour (the Last Day).” He said, “It will not come until you see ten signs before it,” and he mentioned: the smoke, the Dajjāl, the Beast, the rising of the sun from the West, the descent of Jesus son of Mary, Gog and Magog, and three land-slides – one in the East, one in the West, and one in Arabia – and lastly a fire from Yemen which will drive people to their place of gathering.

As the hadith above shows, both the Beast and the sun rising from the West are part of these ten major signs. In fact, another narration indicates that these two are among the very first of the final signs:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim): ʿAbdullāh bin ʿAmr said: “I memorized a hadith from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that I have not forgotten since. I heard the Prophet say: ‘The first of the signs [leading to the Day of Judgment] will be the sun rising from its place of setting (the West) and the emergence of the Beast in the forenoon. Whichever of the two occurs first, the other will happen soon after.’

In other words, once the sun rises in the West, the Beast will shortly emerge (or vice versa). These events will effectively mark the end of the opportunity for repentance – the final “point of no return” before the world as we know it comes to a close. Let’s examine each of these two signs in detail, starting with the Beast.

The Beast from the Earth (Dābbat al-Arḍ)

One of the dramatic signs of the last days in Islam is the coming of a Beast from the earth. The Arabic word for this creature is Dābbah (plural dawābb), which generally means any moving, living creature. In the Qur’an and Hadith, however, Dābbat al-Arḍ refers specifically to a unique creature that will appear near the end of time.

Qur’anic Reference to the Beast

The Beast is explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah ﷻ says in Surah An-Naml (Chapter of “The Ant”):

Qur’an 27:82 (English translation):
“And when the decree (of the Hour) comes to pass against them, We will bring forth for them a beast from the earth, speaking to them that the people did not believe with certainty in Our signs.”

This verse establishes a few key points about the Beast:

The Arabic phrase tukallimuhum in the verse means “it will speak to them.” Interestingly, some classical scholars noted a variant reading of the word (in Quranic recitation) as taklimuhum, which can mean “wounding them” or “marking them.” Many commentators reconciled these meanings by explaining that the Beast will both speak to people and mark them – as we will see, hadiths elaborate that it will mark the believers and non-believers distinctly. Either way, the Beast’s purpose is to make a final proclamation separating the faithful from the faithless.

Authentic Hadith about the Beast

While the Qur’an gives us the fact of the Beast’s emergence, the Hadith give more details about what the Beast will do. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described the Beast’s role in several narrations. Here are a couple of important authentic hadiths on this topic:

Hadith (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, graded Sahih) – The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are three things which, when they appear, no soul will benefit from its faith if it hadn’t believed before: the Dajjāl (Antichrist), the Beast, and the rising of the sun from its place of setting (the West).”

Hadith (Sunan Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah – also in Musnad Ahmad) – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The Beast of the earth will emerge with it the staff of Moses and the ring of Solomon.” (It will use these to mark the people.)

According to various hadiths and scholarly explanations, the Beast will make a clear distinction between believers and disbelievers at that time: it will mark the believers and the sinners/disbelievers. One report mentions that the Beast will use Prophet Mūsā’s staff to brighten the face of the believer, and Prophet Sulaymān’s ring to stamp the nose or neck of the disbeliever, so that people will be labeled as “believer” or “disbeliever” in public. After this, people in gatherings will unmistakably recognize who had faith and who did not – saying “O believer!” or “O disbeliever!” to one another. In essence, the Beast is a divine sign that will categorize people based on their faith, as a culmination of their lifetime of choices.

It’s important to note that while the hadith about the staff and ring is not found in Bukhari or Muslim, it is narrated in other reliable collections (like Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, etc.) with acceptable grades. Classical scholars like Imam al-Qurtubi in his Tadhkirah and others have cited it when explaining the Beast’s mission of distinguishing the good from the evil. This marking of people is in line with what the Qur’anic verse hinted: the Beast tells people they lacked certainty in God’s revelations – now it literally puts a sign on each person to show their status of belief.

What Will the Beast Look Like?

What kind of creature is this Beast? The Qur’an does not describe its form, and no single hadith gives a complete description of its appearance. This has led to a variety of opinions among Muslim scholars over the centuries. It’s a fascinating area where the scholars exercised educated speculation, while acknowledging that only Allah knows the exact nature of this creature. Some opinions from classical scholarship include:

In summary, Sunni scholarship does not have a unanimous detailed picture of the Beast’s form – nor is such detail necessary as part of faith. What’s clear and important is believing in its emergence as a real event. The safest course, as advised by many scholars, is not to get too caught up in exactly what it looks like, but rather to focus on what it will do and signify. As one contemporary scholar put it: “Believing in the Beast’s coming is obligatory, but as for the details of its appearance and nature, we leave that knowledge to Allah.” We know it will be a true physical creature because Allah never breaks His promise, and it will astonish the world when it appears.

Where and How Will the Beast Emerge?

Just as scholars differed on the Beast’s identity, they also had various opinions on where it will come out from. All agree it will come from the earth, but is there a specific location mentioned? Again, the primary texts do not specify, so interpretations arose:

What we can gather is that this event will likely happen in the Middle East region (as most major end-time events center around that area in Islamic eschatology). However, once the Beast comes forth, it will reach people everywhere – either by physically traveling or by its effect (marking people, etc.) being widespread. By the end of its mission, every person alive will have been touched by the Beast’s distinction between believer and disbeliever.

The Beast’s Mission: A Final Differentiation

The core purpose of the Beast, as understood from the Qur’an and Hadith, is very clear: to decisively distinguish the believers from the unbelievers at a time when faith on earth has hit its lowest point. It will be a miracle and a mercy in one sense – making the truth glaringly obvious – but also a mark of judgment, coming at a time when the door to repentance is about to close (or has just closed).

Consider how extraordinary this is: Throughout history, people have been tested by truth and falsehood, and many have debated or denied signs of God. But when the Beast arrives, there will be no more doubt about God’s existence and power. Imagine a creature that speaks to all humanity, saying what is essentially “These are the final moments – you failed to believe with certainty, and now the truth is before you.” It will likely confront people with their lack of faith in unmistakable terms.

At this point, a person’s label as believer or disbeliever is fixed; the Beast’s marking just makes it public. In fact, Islamic narrations indicate that after the Beast and the sun rising from the West, no new faith or repentance is accepted by God (we will discuss this concept more in the next section about the sun rising).

So the Beast is like a closing argument or final testimony against mankind’s persistent disbelief. It demonstrates the truth of all those “signs of God” that people had previously rejected. By marking people, it is in a way preparing the division for the Day of Judgment – clearly identifying who remained a believer and who remained a stubborn disbeliever at the end of the world’s timeline. This role is emphasized by the Prophet’s statement that at its appearance, believing in Islam on the spot will no longer avail a person who didn’t believe before.

Classical Commentary: Scholars such as Imām Al-Qurtubi, Imām Ibn Kathīr, and others have explained in their commentaries that the Beast’s emergence is a literal event and a sign of the truth of resurrection and judgment to come. They often mention the Beast alongside the verse “On that Day, We shall separate you into groups” – indicating it is part of separating the righteous from the wicked. Shaykh Al-Alūsī (a famous Maturidi scholar, d. 1854 CE) in his tafsīr Rūḥ al-Ma‘ānī notes that the Beast will address the people, reprimanding them for their lack of faith, and that some early authorities like Ibn ‘Abbās interpreted “speaking to them” as also “wounding them” – meaning the Beast both speaks and marks (wounds with a mark) the people. This matches the hadith narrations about marking faces.

Contemporary Commentary: Modern scholars uphold the same basic understanding. They underscore that we must believe in the Beast as a real future event because it is established in the Qur’an (which is decisive evidence). Beyond that, they caution not to dive into too much unnecessary detail. As one fatwa site explains: “Many details mentioned about the Beast in folklore or weak reports are not authoritative. A Muslim should simply affirm that Allah will bring forth this Beast as a sign of the Hour, and it will do what has been authentically related – speak to people and distinguish believers from disbelievers. The exact form, size, or other characteristics of the Beast are part of the unknown (ghayb) and not crucial for our guidance.” This aligns with the Prophet’s own approach: he told us it will happen, but did not give a physical description, implying that knowing that is not needed for salvation.

All four Sunni schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali) accept the coming of the Beast as part of Islamic creed regarding the end times. There is no disagreement among mainstream Sunni scholars about this event’s reality. Any differences are in secondary details – for example, where it comes out, or what animal it might resemble – and these differences stem from varied interpretations, not from fundamental creed. In essence, Sunni Islam is unified on this: The Beast will certainly emerge as a major sign, as true as the rising of the sun itself.

The Beast and Miracles

The story of the Beast is filled with miracles. By definition, its very appearance is miraculous – a special creature at the end of time that can speak human language and perform marking of every person. Consider some of the miraculous aspects:

All these miracles reinforce a key point: by the time the Beast comes, the period of test is essentially over. Allah will show supernatural signs openly. The truth of Islam – which requires faith in the unseen (like believing in Allah, angels, etc., without seeing them directly) – will become seen in a way. But at that stage, believing because you see the proof is too late; the virtue was to believe before seeing.

Thus, one wisdom behind the Beast’s coming (and the other big signs) is to manifest Allah’s power and the truth of His revelations beyond any doubt, as a mercy to the believers (affirming their faith) and a proof against the stubborn disbelievers. It’s like the final chapter where the answers are revealed, but if you didn’t study for the test earlier, knowing the answers now won’t save your grade.

Truth and Beauty in the Story of the Beast

On the surface, the idea of a “talking beast” might sound frightening or fanciful, but within Islamic belief it highlights some profound truths and beauties of faith:

In summary, The Beast (Dābbah) is a powerful sign that encapsulates both Allah’s mercy and His justice. It is mercy for the faithful and justice against disbelief. It underscores the Islamic teaching that miracles alone do not benefit a person who has locked their heart – one must embrace faith before the miracles become manifest. As Muslims, we are taught to believe in the unseen as a test of sincerity; the Beast’s appearance will mark the conclusion of that test.

Having discussed the Beast, let’s turn to the other awe-inspiring sign: the reversal of the sun’s course – its rising from the West.

The Sun Rising from the West

Perhaps the most jarring cosmic sign of the end times in Islam is the sun rising from where it normally sets. Every morning since the dawn of humanity, the sun has risen in the East. The idea of it rising in the West is so outlandish that it immediately grabs attention. Islam teaches that one day, literally, the sun will appear on the wrong horizon. This event will herald that the world’s time is almost up.

What Does “Sun Rising from the West” Mean?

Quite simply, it means Allah will reverse the normal rotation or order of the heavens in such a way that the sun will come up in the West one morning. According to our current understanding, this would imply the Earth reversing its rotation direction, or the sun taking a miraculous path – in any case, a supernatural reversal of the status quo.

Importantly, all classical Sunni scholars take this prophecy literally. It is not interpreted as some symbolic metaphor in orthodox interpretation. For example, one false “interpretation” some modernists might claim is that it represents “the sun of Islam rising in the Western world” (meaning Islam spreading in the West). While Islam did spread in Western countries, that is not what our Prophet ﷺ meant in these hadiths. He meant an actual astronomical phenomenon. We know this because he connected it directly with faith no longer being accepted after it, and he even quoted the Qur’anic verse (6:158) about a sign after which belief won’t help. So, Sunni belief is clear that yes, the sun will physically rise in the West near the end of time.

Qur’anic Allusion to This Event

Is the sun rising from the West mentioned in the Qur’an? Not explicitly by name, but many scholars understand that Allah alluded to it in the Qur’an. The verse is in Surah Al-An‘ām (Chapter 6):

Qur’an 6:158 (English translation):
“Are they waiting for anything except that the angels should come to them or your Lord should come or there come some of the signs of your Lord? On the Day when some of your Lord’s signs do arrive, belief will not benefit any soul that had not believed before, nor earned good through its faith.”

This verse warns that once certain signs from Allah occur, declaring faith at that point will be futile if one didn’t have faith before. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained this verse to his companions. According to authentic hadith, he recited this verse and told them, “The ‘signs’ after which faith is of no avail are three: the rising of the sun from the West, the Dajjāl, and the Beast.” In another narration, he specifically identified the sign in this verse as the sun rising from the West【see Hadith above】. Thus, while 6:158 doesn’t explicitly say “sun from West,” the Prophet ﷺ confirmed that it is referencing the major, decisive sign that will shut the door of repentance – namely the sun’s reversal.

In other words, the Qur’an indirectly refers to the sun rising from the West as a moment when seeing a sign will be too late for the unbeliever. This Quranic context really emphasizes the impact of the event: it’s not just a shocking cosmic event, it’s a point of no return for spiritual choices.

No other natural sign has been given this status in Islamic teaching. There have been many signs and miracles in history, but none of them automatically ended the chance to repent. This one will. Let’s look at the Hadith evidence next, because the Hadith describe the event very clearly.

Authentic Hadith about the Sun Rising in the West

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spoke about this extraordinary sign on multiple occasions. Here are some key hadiths:

Hadith (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim): Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the West. When the people see it rising from the West, everyone who is on earth will believe. But that will be the time when faith will not benefit a soul that did not believe beforehand.”

This hadith paints a vivid picture: one day the sun will come up in the West, and out of shock and realization, people all over the world will “believe” – but that sudden faith will be worthless if they were unbelievers before. It directly ties into the verse (6:158) we saw, even quoting its latter part.

Another hadith in Muslim adds more detail on the finality of that moment:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim): The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah will continue to accept the repentance of His servant so long as the sun has not risen from the West.”

This means once it does rise in the West, repentance (turning back to God for forgiveness) will no longer be accepted. In essence, the “door” of repentance is open now, but it will slam shut at that sign.

There is also a beautiful metaphor given in a hadith from Sunan Ibn Mājah:

Hadith (Sunan Ibn Majah, Sahih): The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah has left a door of repentance open on the western side (of the horizon), its width is seventy years – it will not be closed until the sun rises through it.” (Paraphrased)

This metaphorical “door in the West” symbolizes the path of repentance. It’s open now, but the day the sun actually rises from that side, it’s as if the door is closed for good. Allah has given a very long time (seventy years wide, i.e. plenty of opportunity) for people to repent, but eventually even the greatest patience comes to an end when the final signs arrive.

A Cosmic Cataclysm and Its Aftermath

From a scientific perspective, the sun rising in the West would be cataclysmic. It’s not a small eclipse or a blood moon; it’s a fundamental reversal of the Earth’s rotation (or an equivalent cosmic change). This tells us that by this point, the world is literally being unmade, piece by piece, by its Creator. It’s as if the universe itself is saying “we are nearing the final curtain.” After this event, other major signs like the Beast (if it hasn’t come yet, it will come right after), massive landslides, and the great fire will occur in rapid succession, leading straight into the Day of Resurrection.

Some Islamic narrations suggest that not long after all major signs are done, the Trumpet will be blown to end the world. One report, attributed to ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar, even says the world would last perhaps 120 years after the sun’s reversal – and other scholars say maybe that was a figure of speech; Allah knows best how long. The point is, it’s close.

We might ask: Why will faith no longer be accepted at that time? The answer given by scholars is profound: Because at that point, belief is no longer coming from faith in the unseen – it’s coming from direct sight of the undeniable. The test of life is to use your reason and innate moral compass to recognize God’s signs and believe voluntarily. Once something as huge as the sun flipping its course happens, no sane person will be left unconvinced. Faith will become compulsion in a sense, since you can’t deny what you’re seeing. But a compelled faith, born out of raw fear when the evidence is overwhelming, is not the kind of faith that counts as a virtuous choice – it’s too late to build a track record of sincere belief.

Imam al-Nawawī (the great 13th-century Shafi’i scholar) explains in his commentary on Sahih Muslim that when the sun rises in the West, the veil of the unseen is lifted. The truth of Islam becomes manifest to all people, believer and skeptic alike. At that time, someone saying “I now believe!” is like Pharaoh declaring faith when he was drowning in the Red Sea – it was not accepted because he only professed it once he realized he was finished (Qur’an 10:90-91). Similarly, after the sun rises in the West, any newfound faith or repentance will resemble a deathbed confession after the point of no return.

Thus, the sun rising from the West is a sign of Allah’s final justice: it levels the playing field by making everyone see the truth, but only those who chose the truth earlier will benefit.

Theological and Philosophical Reflections

From a theological viewpoint, this event underscores several important principles in Islam:

Sunni Scholarly Perspectives on the Sun Rising from the West

There has been near-unanimous agreement among Sunni Muslim scholars about the literal occurrence of this event. It is considered one of those matters of creed that “ahl as-sunnah wal-jamā‘ah” (the Sunni community) affirm as true. Imams of the four schools and theologians (Ash‘arī, Māturīdī, and Atharī alike) list the sun’s rising from the West among the must-believe signs of the Last Day.

If you survey the classical tafsirs (Qur’an commentaries) on the verse 6:158, you’ll find references such as: “Most of the commentators say this verse refers to the rising of the sun from the West” based on the hadith. Imām Ibn Kathīr, Imām al-Qurtubī, Imām al-Ṭabarī – all the big names – mention this interpretation. There was no controversy on whether it would literally happen, up until some modern skeptics tried to allegorize it, but those views are outside orthodox Sunni belief.

One question that did arise in scholarly discourse is the timing relative to other signs: for instance, since Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus) will return and a golden age of peace will occur under his leadership before the end times chaos, how can it be that no one’s repentance is accepted after the sun rises? People will be converting to Islam during Jesus’s time (which is before the sun rises from West). Scholars answered this by clarifying that the sun rising from the West will happen after Prophet Jesus and the Gog/Magog era, when the world has again deteriorated. By that time, true believers will be scarce (some narrations even indicate the Qur’an may be lifted from the hearts of people and there will be widespread corruption again). So Jesus’s period is separate and much earlier than the sun rising from the West. The chronological order, as understood, is: (Dajjāl appears → Jesus returns and defeats Dajjāl → Ya’jūj & Ma’jūj emerge and are destroyed → a period of great goodness, then decline → then the major signs like the smoke, sun rising, Beast, etc., as final sequence). Therefore, there’s no contradiction; the “no repentance accepted” applies when the sun rises, which is long after Prophet Jesus’ era of guiding people. Some scholars, like Al-Ālūsī, even posited that maybe the rule of no repentance might itself be lifted after some time if life continues – but this was an attempt to reconcile, and the dominant view is that once it happens, that’s essentially the final cutoff.

All Sunni schools encourage believers to take heed from this sign. Imam Abu Hanifa (the great jurist of the Hanafi school) is reported to have included in his work on creed that “We believe in the emergence of the Dajjal, and the Beast, and the rising of the sun from the West... as true events.” Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (founder of the Hanbali school) likewise listed these among the things one must affirm. Imam ash-Shafi’i and Imam Malik, while not writing separate creed treatises, adhered to the same Quranic and hadith evidence, so their students and the scholars of their madhhabs (like Nawawi for Shafi’i, Qurtubi for Maliki) all confirm it.

In essence, across the Sunni world, past and present, the sun rising from the West is taught in madrassas, mosques, and books as a real future occurrence and a matter of faith. It ties into the Islamic emphasis that we should always be prepared for the Hereafter and not delay repentance, since we never know when our own “sunset” comes – and one day, even the sun will rise in reverse as a final alarm.

The Day Faith Becomes Ineffective

Let’s talk a bit more about that sobering notion: a day when believing becomes useless for the one who delayed. This notion is unique and powerful. It’s as if Allah has built into the timeline of history a final exam submission deadline. If you haven’t turned in your paper (your faith and deeds) by that time, no extension will be granted.

This teaching shows Islam’s logical consistency in matters of guidance. Throughout the Qur’an, we see verses that allude to people who only believed when they saw punishment coming, and they were told it’s too late. For instance, Pharaoh at the Red Sea, or the people of Lot when destruction came. Allah says about them: “So when they saw Our punishment, they said, ‘We believe in Allah alone…’ But their faith did not benefit them once they saw Our punishment – this is the way of Allah with His servants.” (Qur’an 40:84-85).

The sun rising from the West is like that on a global scale. When it happens, the horror and awe will be so overwhelming that everyone left will become a “believer” instantly – but a forced believer, one who didn’t submit out of love or trust before, rather only out of shock and fear at the end. So in Allah’s perfect wisdom and justice, He says that kind of last-second belief has no value. It’s not a genuine submission; it’s too late to develop the spiritual humility and obedience that true faith requires.

This might raise a theological question: if God knew that at this sign everyone would believe, why not send such irrefutable signs earlier to convince everyone? The answer is: Life is meant to be a test of moral choice. If the signs were all irrefutable, there would be no test. People would all “believe” automatically, like how we all believe the sun rises in the East – because it’s obvious. But Allah wants willing believers, those who choose Him without being compelled by irresistible miracles at every turn. That’s why, throughout history, major signs (like miracles of prophets) were given sparingly and were still subtle enough that those who wanted to doubt could doubt. Only at the very end, after the period of choosing is over, will the full display be shown. At that point, it’s more of a demonstration of Allah’s greatness than a call to faith – because the time for calling will have passed.

For Muslims, this concept is actually very faith-affirming: it means our faith now, before any such manifest sign, is precious and meaningful. We’re doing the right thing at the right time, in shā’ Allāh. And it means if someone is considering Islam, they should not wait until something “forces” them, because the forcing event will also force the door shut.

The Impact on Believers and Non-Believers

When the sun rises in the West, what will people feel?

For the believers who were already firm in faith, it will be a mix of awe and perhaps dread for what’s coming, but also a sense of confirmation. They’ll think, “This is what our Prophet promised, and it’s happening.” It might strengthen their resolve to meet Allah because they know the Day of Judgment is extremely close. It’s similar to how the Prophet ﷺ said that at the end of times, when the winds come to take the souls of believers (another event after these signs, to spare them the final destruction), the believers will die peacefully. So a true believer may see the sun in the West and immediately make duʿā’ (supplication) asking Allah to protect them and keep them steadfast until the end. It will be a heavy, solemn day, but for them it’s not a day of panic regarding belief – they already have what’s needed.

For the disbelievers or habitual sinners who ignored faith, it will be sheer panic and regret. One can imagine people crying out, falling to their knees, perhaps rushing to mosques or churches or any place of worship, suddenly acknowledging God, saying “I believe, I believe!” – but that faith won’t count. It’s a truly tragic image. The Quran says about such people: “On the Day when some of your Lord’s signs arrive, no soul will benefit from its faith if it hadn’t believed before…” – the commentators say these folks might try to profess faith, but it will be thrown back at them as not accepted. There are narrations that the Qur’an itself might be taken away at that time (pages become blank, verses forgotten) as if to emphasize that guidance is finished. So they won’t even have the comfort of recalling verses of hope – because that time is past. It’s a depiction of ultimate regret. The Arabic term often used is nadam – remorse. They will finally know that the Islamic warnings were true, but too late to change their fate.

This stark contrast teaches us that we want to be in the first category, not the second. It motivates a Muslim to remain steadfast and a non-Muslim to not delay exploring or accepting the truth of Islam.

Living in the Light of These Signs – Lessons for Today

Both the Beast and the Sun rising from the West, while future events, carry urgent lessons for how we live right now. Islam does not tell us these things just to satisfy curiosity; they are meant to impact our hearts and actions. Here are some key reflections on what these signs mean for us today:

Conclusion: Preparing for the Final Signs – What It Means for Us Today

Both The Beast (Dābbah) and the sun rising from the West are immense, spine-chilling signs of the approaching Day of Judgment. While they will occur in the future, they carry immediate meaning for how we should live as Muslims (and as humans in general).

For Muslims today, these prophecies should cultivate a sense of urgency, hope, and responsibility. Urgency – to always stay on top of our repentance and obedience, not letting sins accumulate or faith weaken. We should ask ourselves: If the Beast came this very day or if tomorrow’s sun rose in the West, would I be content with my state of faith and deeds? If not, then why not change now? There’s hope – because right now, before those signs, every little step towards God counts. Every sin we quit, every prayer we establish, every good we do is accepted and cherished by Allah when done with sincerity. Unlike those who will try to believe after the cut-off, our belief and repentance today is immensely valuable. That gives us motivation and hope that we can earn Allah’s pleasure if we strive sincerely.

It also gives us responsibility: we don’t want anyone we care about to be caught on the wrong side of these events. That means we should gently encourage our family, friends, and communities toward faith and righteousness now, when it still matters. It means raising our children with a strong foundation of iman (faith), so that even if they witness tumultuous times, they remain firm.

For curious non-Muslims or those on the fence, these signs are a reminder that life is not just an endless cycle of sunrises and sunsets that go on forever. History is heading toward a climax. Islam invites everyone to recognize the truth before cosmic signs like these make it blatantly clear. There is profound beauty in how Islam balances warning and glad tidings: learning about frightful apocalyptic events goes hand in hand with learning about Allah’s mercy and forgiveness available right now. The Prophet ﷺ did not aim to scare people for the sake of scaring; he aimed to shake us awake kindly, so we don’t harm ourselves by neglect.

In a modern context, where many people think only in scientific or material terms, the notion of a sun rising in the West or a mystical Beast might be met with skepticism. But even modern science acknowledges that extraordinary cosmic events are possible (pole shifts, asteroid impacts, etc.). More importantly, for someone who believes in God’s limitless power, none of this is far-fetched at all. It is simply the enactment of His will when the time comes. When we present it that way, people realize these signs are not any more “incredible” than the very existence of this finely-tuned universe. If one believes in a Creator, accepting these prophetic miracles is logically consistent.

As Muslims, we should feel grateful that Allah has informed us of these signs through His Prophet ﷺ. It’s like being told the final questions of an exam in advance – not so that we wait to write answers at the last second, but so that we prepare ahead and do not panic. It’s a blessing to know what’s coming. Now the task is to make sure our hearts and lives are aligned with faith, so that whenever these events happen (even if they may be generations or centuries from now), we and our progeny remain among the believers, in shā’ Allāh.

Let us reflect on the Prophet’s sincere concern for his followers. He said in one hadith, “Hasten to do good deeds before trials come like parts of a dark night…” and he mentioned those major signs. This is prophetic compassion: he doesn’t want us to be caught unawares. Islamic teachings empower us to face the future without fear, as long as we hold on to our faith and strive to live righteously. Even the end of the world becomes, for a believer, not an “end” but the beginning of meeting our Lord and attaining the eternal life that we’ve been working towards.

In conclusion, The Beast and the Sun Rising from the West are reminders that the truth of Islam will manifest undeniably – but the wise will have believed and submitted long before that. May Allah make us among those wise and faithful servants. For Muslims, these signs strengthen our faith, and for those considering Islam, they underline the urgency of embracing the truth while we still can. The beauty of Islam is that even in describing such daunting events, it ultimately directs us to hope, action, and the infinite mercy of Allah for those who turn to Him in time.

Let us move forward in our lives with a renewed commitment to our faith: doing good deeds, spreading the message of Islam’s truth and beauty, and seeking Allah’s forgiveness continuously. So if we ever see the Beast emerge or witness an extraordinary sunrise in the West – or more realistically, when we meet Allah in the Hereafter – we will do so with hearts that are peaceful and faces shining with faith.

O Allah, keep us steadfast in belief, protect us from the trials of the end times, and count us among the faithful on the Day when belief will truly benefit. Āmīn.

Further Reading – Classical and Modern Works on Islamic End Times:
For those who wish to explore these topics more deeply, here are some highly-regarded books (from classical scholarship and contemporary research) that discuss the signs of the Day of Judgment, including the Beast and the sun rising from the West: