Qiyama

Qiyama, also known as Qiyāmah or the Day of Resurrection, is a central concept in Islamic eschatology. The term derives from Arabic roots meaning “standing up” or “arising,” and it refers to the final event when God will raise the dead for judgment. It is a core element of Islamic faith, affirmed in the Qur’an and in various hadiths, and is part of the six articles of belief in Sunni Islam.

Belief in Qiyama encompasses life after death, the resurrection of all people, the gathering for judgment, and the ultimate recompense of deeds. According to traditional teaching, individuals will be held to account for their actions, with records of deeds weighed by God. The process is described as including the emergence of divine intermediaries who intercede on behalf of believers, and the crossing of the Sirat, a bridge over hell that determines entry into paradise (Jannah) or hell (Jahannam).

Traditional sources outline a sequence of signs preceding the Day of Resurrection. These are often categorized into minor and major signs, with various hadiths listing events such as the appearance of the Mahdi, the return of Isa (Jesus), the appearance of the Dajjal (the Antichrist), the emergence of Gog and Magog, and cosmological occurrences. A common motif across traditions is the trumpet blast by the angel Israfil, followed by a second blast that restores the dead to life.

Across Islamic schools and communities, interpretations of Qiyama vary in emphasis and detail, but the core idea remains the same: a future, divine judgment culminating in eternal reward or punishment.