Title: How Sudden Will the Day of Judgment Be? Question: I have a few confusions with matters regarding the suddenness of the day of judgment. The problem is that if the answer to either of my questions that follow is 'yes' then is the day of judgment a sudden event that we don't know the time of? Is Jesus (pbuh) going to come back to lead the Muslims to victory before the day of judgement ? Will the Gog and Magog people invade and rule before that day ? Thanks. Answer: There is no reliable evidence about this. We do not know about the details (whether they rule before that day) however the Qur'an says in 21:96 that the Gog and Magog are let loose near the end of the time and they shall break forth from every elevated place. I am not sure if my answer to the second question was a "yes," therefore I am not sure if your main question still applies. I certainly do not see any conflict. However, you are absolutely correct that the day of Judgment is a sudden event that we don't know the time of its occurrence. The Qur'an is very clear about this and says this in a number of places, for instance: "They ask you about the hour (i.e. the end of the world), when will be its taking place? Say: The knowledge of it is only with my Lord; none but He shall manifest it at its time; it will be momentous in the heavens and the earth; it will not come on you but of a sudden. They ask you as if you were solicitous about it. Say: Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know." - Al `Araf 7:187 It is true that there are some events that will take place before the Day of Judgment (as mentioned in 21: 96 or as mentioned in the famous Hadith of Gabriel). This does not, however, refute the fact that the Day of Judgment will be a sudden occurrence, which will come unannounced. We may know that the Day of Judgment will not come before a certain occurrences, but we still do not know when, after the occurrence of these events, will the Day of Judgment take place. Abdullah Rahim June 27, 2005