Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog)

Among the major signs of the approaching Day of Judgment mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya is the release of Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog), powerful forces whose emergence will herald significant global upheaval. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala discusses this event in the context of the final days before the Day of Judgment:

"Until when the Ya'jūj and Ma'jūj (Gog and Magog) are released, while they, from every elevated place, will race down."

And the True Promise draws near, then suddenly, the eyes of the disbelievers will remain upraised (in terror, saying,) "Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this; rather, we were wrongdoers." (21:96-97)

This passage indicates that Ya'juj and Ma'juj are currently confined or restrained forces. Their eventual release will be characterized by their rapid descent from every elevation, suggesting a massive and widespread incursion across the earth. The imagery of them "racing down" from elevated places indicates the swiftness and overwhelming nature of their emergence.

The appearance of Ya'juj and Ma'juj is directly connected to "the True Promise" – the imminent arrival of the Day of Judgment. When these events unfold, disbelievers will experience profound regret, acknowledging their heedlessness and wrongdoing. Their eyes will remain "upraised in terror" – a powerful image of frozen fear as they witness events they previously denied.

This narrative of Ya'juj and Ma'juj is connected to the story of Dhul-Qarnayn mentioned in Surah Al-Kahf, where he constructs a barrier to contain these forces. The barrier's eventual breach represents a major eschatological event. The sudden realization of the disbelievers – "Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this" – echoes the opening theme of Surah Al-Anbiya that mankind's reckoning has drawn near while they remain in heedless diversion.

Following this, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala pronounces a stern judgment upon those who rejected faith:

"Surely, you and whatever you worship other than Allah are the fuel of Jahannam; to it you will be led."

Had these been (true) gods, they would not have entered it. And all of them will remain there forever. (21:98-99)

This powerful statement demonstrates the ultimate consequence of false worship. The idols and false deities that people devoted themselves to will become fuel for the Fire alongside their worshippers – a stark refutation of their divinity. The logical argument is clear: had these objects of worship been true gods, they would not have ended as fuel for Jahannam.

The section concludes with a contrast between the fate of the disbelievers and that of the righteous:

"As for those for whom the good (news) from Us has already come to pass, they will be kept far away from it (Hell)."

They will not hear its faint sound, and they will remain forever in what their souls desire. (21:101-102)

The believers, having received Allah's good promise, will be distanced from the horrors of Hellfire to such an extent that they will not even hear its slightest sound. They will abide eternally in perfect contentment, surrounded by all that their souls desire – the ultimate success and security.

This passage of Surah Al-Anbiya thus presents the stark contrast between the fates awaiting humanity – one group facing the terror of Ya'juj and Ma'juj and subsequent accountability, while the other group attains perfect security and fulfillment through faith.