It is a prevalent belief among the Anti-Ahmadis, particularly the ‘Sunnis’, that Gog and Magog will be some sort of mystical or mythical creatures that defy human characteristics and are not of human origin. They mock the Ahmadiyya interpretation of Gog and Magog laid out by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad عليه السلام, even though their own scholars describe similar characteristics of Gog and Magog as Mirza Ghulam Ahmad عليه السلام did — namely, that Gog and Magog will be of human origin and will emerge from China, Russia, or the surrounding regions. Below is a list of Sunni scholars’ views about Gog and Magog which supports the Ahmadiyya understanding, but note that this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Ibn Kathir

ذِكْرُ أُمَّتَيْ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ وصفاتهم، وما ورد من أخبارهم، وصفة السد. هم من ذُرِّيَّةِ آدم بلا خلاف نعلمه، ثم الدليل على ذلك ما ثبت في الصحيحين من طريق الأَعْمَشِ، عن أبي صالح، عن أبي سعيد، قال: قال رسول الله ﷺ: (يَقُولُ اللهُ تَعَالى يومَ القِيامَةِ: يَا آدَمُ، قُمْ فَابْعَثْ بَعْثَ النَّارِ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِكَ. فَيَقُولُ: يا رب، وما بَعْثُ النَّارِ؟ فَيَقُولُ: مِن كُلِّ أَلْفٍ تسعمائة وتسعة وتسعون إلى النَّارِ، وواحد إلى الجنة. فحينئذ يشيب الصغير، وتضع كل ذاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَها، وتَرَى النَّاسَ سُكَارَى وما هم بِسُكارى، ولكن عذابَ اللهِ شَدِيدٌ). قالوا: يا رسول الله، أينا ذلك الواحد؟ فقال رسول الله ﷺ: «أَبْشِرُوا؛ فَإِنَّ مِنكُم واحدًا، وَمِن يأجوج ومَأْجُوجَ أَلْفًا». وفي رواية: فقال: «أَبْشِرُوا؛ فَإِنَّ فيكم أُمَّتَيْنِ؛ ما كانتا في شَيْءٍ إِلَّا كَتَرَتاهِ – أَي غَلَبَنَاهِ – كَثرَةً». وهذا يَدُلُّ على كثرتهم، وأنهم أَضْعَافُ النَّاسِ مِرارًا عديدة. ثم هم من ذرية نوح؛ لأنَّ الله تعالى أَخْبَر أَنه استجاب لعبده نوح في دعائه على أَهْلِ الأَرض بقوله: ﴿رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ دَيَّارًا﴾. فيأجوج ومأجوج طائفة من التَّرْكِ، وهم مَغْلُ المغول، وهم أَشدُّ بَأْسًا وأكثر فسادًا من هؤلاء، ونسبتهم إليهم كنسبة هؤلاء إلى غيرهم. وقد قيل: إنَّ الترك إنما سموا بذلك، حين بنى ذو القرنين السد، وألجاً يأجوج ومأجوج إلى ما وراءه، فبقيت منهم طائفة لم يكن عندهم كفسادهم فتركوا من ورائه، فلهذا قيل لهم: التَّرْك. ومن زعم أنَّ يأجوج ومأجوج خُلِقُوا مِن نُطْفَةِ آدم حين احتلم، فاختلطت بتراب، فخُلِقُوا من ذلك، وأنهم ليسوا من حواء، فهو قول حكاه الشيخ أبو زكريا النواوى فى (شرح مسلم) وغيره، وضعفوه، وهو جدير بذلك؛ إذ لا دليل عليه، بل هو مخالف لما ذكرناه؛ من أن جميع النَّاسِ اليوم مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ نوح، بنص القرآن. وهكذا من زعم أنهم على أشكال مختلفة وأطوال متباينة جدا؛ فمنهم من هو كالنَّخْلَةِ السَّحُوقِ، ومنهم من هو غاية في القصر، ومنهم مَن يَفْتَرِشُ أُذُنَا مِن أُذُنَيْه ويَتَغَطَّى بالأُخرى، فكل هذه أقوال بلا دليل، ورجم بالغيب بغير برهان. والصحيح أنهم من بني آدم وعلى أشكالهم وصفاتهم. وقد قال النبي ﷺ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ آدَمَ وَطُولُهُ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا، ثُمَّ لَمْ يَزَلِ الْخَلْقُ يَنْقُصُ حَتَّى الآن».

Mention of the nations of Gog and Magog, their descriptions, the reports about them, and the description of the barrier. They are from the descendants of Adam, without any disagreement that we know of. The evidence for this is what is established in the two Sahihs (Bukhari and Muslim) through the chain of al-A‘mash, from Abu Salih, from Abu Sa‘id, who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah the Exalted will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O Adam! Rise and send forth the people of the Fire from your offspring.’ He (Adam) will say: ‘O Lord, who are the people of the Fire?’ He will say: ‘From every thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine will be in the Fire, and one will be in Paradise.’ At that moment the small child’s hair will turn grey, every pregnant woman will miscarry, and you will see the people as though drunk, yet they are not drunk – but the punishment of Allah is severe.” They (the Companions) said: “O Messenger of Allah, which one of us is that single person (who will be saved)?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Rejoice, for among you there will be one, and from Gog and Magog there will be a thousand.” And in another narration, he said: “Rejoice, for among you there are two nations who, whenever they join something, they increase it (i.e. overwhelm it) by their sheer numbers.” This indicates their great multitude, and that they are many times more than the rest of mankind. And indeed, they are from the descendants of Noah, for Allah the Exalted informed us that He answered the supplication of His servant Noah against the people of the earth, when he said: “My Lord, do not leave upon the earth a single one of the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 71:26). Gog and Magog are a group from among the Turks, and they are the Mongol hordes. They are more powerful and more corrupt than the Turks, and their relation to the Turks is like that of the Turks to other nations. It has been said that the Turks were named so because when Dhul-Qarnayn built the barrier and drove Gog and Magog to what lay beyond it, a group of them remained who did not share the same degree of corruption. They were left behind the barrier, and thus they were called ‘the Turks.’ And whoever claims that Gog and Magog were created from the semen of Adam when he had a nocturnal emission, which then mixed with soil and from it they were created – and that they are not from Hawwa (Eve) – then this is a view mentioned by Shaykh Abu Zakariyya al-Nawawi in his Sharh Muslim and other works, but it was considered weak, and rightly so, for there is no evidence for it. Rather, it contradicts what we have already stated: that all people today are from the descendants of Noah, as affirmed in the Qur’an. Likewise, whoever claims that they (Gog and Magog) are of bizarre forms and greatly varying sizes – some as tall as lofty palm trees, others extremely short, some spreading out one of their ears as a mattress and covering themselves with the other – all such sayings have no proof, and are merely conjecture without evidence. And the correct view is that they (Gog and Magog) are from the descendants of Adam, and upon the forms and characteristics of humans. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah created Adam, and his height was sixty cubits, then the creation has continued to diminish until now.”
[Al-Bidāya wa-l-Nihāya P. 502 – 503]

Anwar Shah Kashmiri

أما الكلام، في يَأْجُوجَ ومَأْجُوجَ ، فاعلم أنهم (۱)، من ذُريَّة يافث باتفاق المؤرخين. ويُقال لهم في لسان أروبا : “كاك ميكاك ، وفي مقدمة ابن خلدون: «غوغ ما غوغ». وللبريطانية إقرار بأنهم من ذُرِّيَّة مَأْجُوجَ ، وكذا ألمانيا أيضاً منهم، وأما الروس فهم من ذُرِّيَّةِ يَأْجُوجَ . وليس هؤلاء إلا أقوام من الإنس والمراد من الخروج : حملتهم، وفسادهم، وذلك كائن لا محالة في زمانه الموعود، وكل شيء عند ربك إلى أجل مسمى. وليس السدُّ مَنَعَهُمْ عن الفساد، فهم يَخْرُجُون على سائر الناس في وقت، ثم يُهْلَكُونَ بدعاء عيسى عليه السلام. هكذا في مكاشفات يوحنا» وفيه : أنهم يُهْلَكُونَ بدعاء المسيح عليه الصلاة والسلام عليهم.

“As for the discussion about Gog and Magog, know that they are from the descendants of Japheth, according to the consensus of historians. They are called in the European language “Gog Magog,” and in Ibn Khaldun’s Introduction: “Gog and Magog.” The British acknowledge that they are from the descendants of Magog, and likewise Germany is also from them, while the Russians are from the descendants of Gog. These are none other than peoples from mankind, and what is meant by “their emergence” is their campaign and their corruption, which will inevitably occur in its appointed time, for everything with your Lord has an appointed term. The wall did not prevent them from corruption, for they will emerge against all people at a certain time, then they will be destroyed by the supplication of Jesus, peace be upon him. This is as mentioned in the Revelations of John, which states that they will be destroyed by the supplication of the Messiah, peace and blessings be upon him.”
_{[Faiz-ul-Bari, Sharh Sahih Bukhari, vol. 4, pg. 354]}

‘Abdur-Rahman as-Sa’di

“By way of this, it is known that Gog and Magog are these nations— Russia, China, America, Germany, and those who follow them—and this is made clear.“

_{[The Fitnah of the Dajjal & Gog and Magog pg. 36]}

Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah Al Baz (Bin Baz)

ويأجوج ومأجوج من الشعوب الشرقية(الشرق الأقصى)، وهم يخرجون في آخر الزمان من الصين الشعبية وما حولها، بعد خروج الدجال ونزول عيسى بن مريم.انظر: فتاوى الشيخ ابن باز(٩/ ٣١٢)، وأشراط الساعة ليوسف الوابل(٣٦٥).(^٢)وقد مدح بعض الباحثين في هذا الشأن رأي السعدي، قال حمدي الجهني:(لقد عبر الشيخ السعدي عن أفكاره والتي كانت تتسم بالواقعية والشجاعة وسلامة وعمق الفكر في تفنيد الكثير من التأويلات والالتباسات حول هؤلاء القوم، وقد سبق هذا العالم الكبير زمانه، في الوصول إلى هذه الحقيقة).انظر: فك أسرار ذي القرنين ويأجوج ومأجوج لحمدي الجهني(٤٨١)، وانظر كذلك: الصين يأجوج ومأجوج للمسند(٥٩ – ٨٣).

“Gog and Magog are peoples from the East (the Far East), and they will emerge at the end of times from mainland China and its surroundings after the appearance of the Antichrist and the descent of Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon him), because they were left there when Dhul-Qarnayn built the barrier, placing them inside and leaving the Turks and Tatars outside. When Allah, the Almighty, wills for them to emerge, they will come out from their place, spread across the earth, and cause corruption. Then Allah will send a kind of worm into their necks, and they will all die at once, as authentic hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) confirm. The Prophet of Allah, Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him), and the Muslims will seek refuge from them, as their emergence will occur during the time of Jesus (peace be upon him), after the appearance of the Antichrist.“

_{[Majmūʿ fatāwā wa-maqālāt mutanawwiʿa, vol. 9, pg. 312]}

Mohammed Hijab

“Yaju’j and Maju’j, I have my reason for believing that they are the Chinese […] that civilization is going to pose a serious threat in the end of days […] they’re going to create such destruction the world the world has never seen it before…”

_{[Gog and Magog Arrival: Sneako X Mohammed Hijab]}

Imam Al-Raghib al-Isfahani

ويأجوج ومأجوج منه شبهوا بالنار المضطرمة والمياه المتموجة لكثرة اضطرابهم
“Ya’jūj and Ma’jūj are derived from it, likened to a blazing fire and to surging waters due to their excessive turbulence.”
_{[Mufradat al Qur’an p.10]}

• This means Gog and Magog represent nations that have mastered the power of fire, harnessing it on an unmatched scale for technology, weaponry, and global dominance, even creating weapons as destructive as the atomic bomb.

Introduction

Numerous Ahadith mention the emergence of Gog and Magog (Ya’juj and Ma’juj) alongside Ad-Dajjal and the Messiah during the end times. These narrations, which are metaphorical in nature and are not to be taken as literal, also state that the Messiah will kill Ad-Dajjal, as well as Gog and Magog as part of the unfolding events. Below is a compilation of selected Ahadith that describe their appearance and the associated signs of the Last Hour.

Note: Many of these Ahadith exist in multiple variations and narrations. For the sake of clarity and brevity, we have included only one version of each Hadith, rather than listing all similar narrations.

Coming of Gog and Magog will not affect Hajj and Umrah

دَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنِ الْحَجَّاجِ بْنِ حَجَّاجٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي عُتْبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ لَيُحَجَّنَّ الْبَيْتُ وَلَيُعْتَمَرَنَّ بَعْدَ خُرُوجِ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ ‏”‏‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ أَبَانُ وَعِمْرَانُ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ‏.‏ وَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ قَالَ ‏”‏ لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى لاَ يُحَجَّ الْبَيْتُ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَالأَوَّلُ أَكْثَرُ، سَمِعَ قَتَادَةُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ‏.‏

“The Prophet (ﷺ) said “The people will continue performing the Hajj and `Umra to the Ka`ba even after the appearance of Gog and Magog.” Narrated Shu`ba extra: The Hour (Day of Judgment) will not be established till the Hajj (to the Ka`ba) is abandoned.

_{[Sahih al-Bukhari 1593]}

Gog and Magog will come when sin and evil deeds increase

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةِ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ حَبِيبَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ، عَنْ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتِ اسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مِنْ نَوْمِهِ وَهُوَ مُحْمَرٌّ وَجْهُهُ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ ‏”‏ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَيْلٌ لِلْعَرَبِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ فُتِحَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ رَدْمِ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَعَقَدَ بِيَدَيْهِ عَشَرَةً ‏.‏ قَالَتْ زَيْنَبُ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَهْلِكُ وَفِينَا الصَّالِحُونَ قَالَ ‏”‏ إِذَا كَثُرَ الْخَبَثُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Zainab bint Jahsh said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) woke up red in the face and said: ‘La ilaha illallah, woe to the Arabs from an evil that has drawn nigh. Today a hole has been opened in the barrier of Gog and Magog.’ And he gestured to indicate the size of the hole.” Zainab said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Will we be destroyed when there are righteous people among us?’ He said: ‘If sin and evil deeds increase.”

 _{[Sunan Ibn Majah 3953]}

حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ الزُّهْرِيَّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ، عَنْ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةِ جَحْشٍ ـ رضى الله عنهن ـ أَنَّهَا قَالَتِ اسْتَيْقَظَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ النَّوْمِ مُحْمَرًّا وَجْهُهُ يَقُولُ ‏”‏ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَيْلٌ لِلْعَرَبِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ، فُتِحَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ رَدْمِ يَاجُوجَ وَمَاجُوجَ مِثْلُ هَذِهِ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَعَقَدَ سُفْيَانُ تِسْعِينَ أَوْ مِائَةً‏.‏ قِيلَ أَنَهْلِكُ وَفِينَا الصَّالِحُونَ قَالَ ‏”‏ نَعَمْ، إِذَا كَثُرَ الْخَبَثُ ‏”‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) got up from his sleep with a flushed red face and said, “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. Woe to the Arabs, from the Great evil that is nearly approaching them. Today a gap has been made in the wall of Gog and Magog like this.” (Sufyan illustrated by this forming the number 90 or 100 with his fingers.) It was asked, “Shall we be destroyed though there are righteous people among us?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Yes, if evil increased.”

_{[Sahih al-Bukhari 7059]}

حَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى يَا آدَمُ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لَبَّيْكَ وَسَعْدَيْكَ وَالْخَيْرُ فِي يَدَيْكَ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ أَخْرِجْ بَعْثَ النَّارِ‏.‏ قَالَ وَمَا بَعْثُ النَّارِ قَالَ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ تِسْعَمِائَةٍ وَتِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ، فَعِنْدَهُ يَشِيبُ الصَّغِيرُ، وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَهَا، وَتَرَى النَّاسَ سُكَارَى، وَمَا هُمْ بِسُكَارَى، وَلَكِنَّ عَذَابَ اللَّهِ شَدِيدٌ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَأَيُّنَا ذَلِكَ الْوَاحِدُ قَالَ ‏”‏ أَبْشِرُوا فَإِنَّ مِنْكُمْ رَجُلٌ، وَمِنْ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ أَلْفٌ ‏”‏‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏”‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، إِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونُوا رُبُعَ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَكَبَّرْنَا‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ أَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونُوا ثُلُثَ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَكَبَّرْنَا‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ أَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونُوا نِصْفَ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَكَبَّرْنَا‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ مَا أَنْتُمْ فِي النَّاسِ إِلاَّ كَالشَّعَرَةِ السَّوْدَاءِ فِي جِلْدِ ثَوْرٍ أَبْيَضَ، أَوْ كَشَعَرَةٍ بَيْضَاءَ فِي جِلْدِ ثَوْرٍ أَسْوَدَ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

“Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection), ‘O Adam.’ Adam will reply, ‘Labbaik wa Sa`daik’, and all the good is in Your Hand.’ Allah will say: ‘Bring out the people of the fire.’ Adam will say: ‘O Allah! How many are the people of the Fire?’ Allah will reply: ‘From every one thousand, take out nine-hundred-and ninety-nine.’ At that time children will become hoary headed, every pregnant female will have a miscarriage, and one will see mankind as drunken, yet they will not be drunken, but dreadful will be the Wrath of Allah.” The companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Who is that (excepted) one?” He said, “Rejoice with glad tidings; one person will be from you and one-thousand will be from Gog and Magog.” The Prophet (ﷺ) further said, “By Him in Whose Hands my life is, hope that you will be one-fourth of the people of Paradise.” We shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” He added, “I hope that you will be one-third of the people of Paradise.” We shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” He said, “I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise.” We shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” He further said, “You (Muslims) (compared with non Muslims) are like a black hair in the skin of a white ox or like a white hair in the skin of a black ox (i.e. your number is very small as compared with theirs).

_{[Sahih al-Bukhari 3348]}

Gog and Magog will appear during the signs of Dajjal and coming of Messiah (AS)

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ فُرَاتٍ الْقَزَّازِ، عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ وَاثِلَةَ أَبِي الطُّفَيْلِ الْكِنَانِيِّ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ أَسِيدٍ أَبِي سَرِيحَةَ، قَالَ اطَّلَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مِنْ غُرْفَةٍ وَنَحْنُ نَتَذَاكَرُ السَّاعَةَ فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تَكُونَ عَشْرُ آيَاتٍ طُلُوعُ الشَّمْسِ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا وَالدَّجَّالُ وَالدُّخَانُ وَالدَّابَّةُ وَيَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَخُرُوجُ عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَثَلاَثُ خُسُوفٍ خَسْفٌ بِالْمَشْرِقِ وَخَسْفٌ بِالْمَغْرِبِ وَخَسْفٌ بِجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَنَارٌ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ قَعْرِ عَدَنِ أَبْيَنَ تَسُوقُ النَّاسَ إِلَى الْمَحْشَرِ تَبِيتُ مَعَهُمْ إِذَا بَاتُوا وَتَقِيلُ مَعَهُمْ إِذَا قَالُوا ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Hudhaifah bin Asid, Abu Sarihah, said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) looked out from a room, when we were talking about the Hour. He said: ‘The Hour will not begin until ten signs appear: The rising of the sun from the west (place of its setting); Dajjal; the smoke; the beast; Gog and Magog people; the appearance of ‘Eisa bin Maryam (as), the earth collapsing three times – once in the east, one in the west and one in the Arabian Peninsula; and fire that will emerge from the plain of Aden Abyan and will drive the people to the place of Gathering, stopping with them when they stop at night and when they stop to rest at midday.”

_{[Sunan Ibn Majah 4055]}

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، وَهَنَّادٌ، – الْمَعْنَى – قَالَ مُسَدَّدٌ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، حَدَّثَنَا فُرَاتٌ الْقَزَّازُ، عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ وَاثِلَةَ، – وَقَالَ هَنَّادٌ عَنْ أَبِي الطُّفَيْلِ، – عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ أَسِيدٍ الْغِفَارِيِّ، قَالَ كُنَّا قُعُودًا نَتَحَدَّثُ فِي ظِلِّ غُرْفَةٍ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرْنَا السَّاعَةَ فَارْتَفَعَتْ أَصْوَاتُنَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ لَنْ تَكُونَ – أَوْ لَنْ تَقُومَ – السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ قَبْلَهَا عَشْرُ آيَاتٍ طُلُوعُ الشَّمْسِ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا وَخُرُوجُ الدَّابَّةِ وَخُرُوجُ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ وَالدَّجَّالُ وَعِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَالدُّخَانُ وَثَلاَثُ خُسُوفٍ خَسْفٌ بِالْمَغْرِبِ وَخَسْفٌ بِالْمَشْرِقِ وَخَسْفٌ بِجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَآخِرُ ذَلِكَ تَخْرُجُ نَارٌ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ مِنْ قَعْرِ عَدَنَ تَسُوقُ النَّاسَ إِلَى الْمَحْشَرِ ‏”‏ ‏

Hudhaifah b. Asid al-Ansari said: We were sitting in the shade of the chamber of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) discussing (something) and when we mentioned the last hour, our voices rose high. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“The last hour will not come or happen until there appear ten signs before it : the rising of the sun in its place of setting, the coming forth of the beast, the coming forth of Gog and Magog, the Dajjal (Antichrist), (the descent of) Jesus son of Mary, the smoke, and three collapses of the earth: one in the west, one in the east, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. The last of that will be the emergence of a fire from Yemen, from the lowest part of Aden, and drive mankind to their place of assembly.”

_{[Sunan Abi Dawud 4311]}

Gog and Magog Will Have control over Life’s Essentials

حَدَّثَنَا أَزْهَرُ بْنُ مَرْوَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو رَافِعٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏”‏ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ يَحْفِرُونَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ حَتَّى إِذَا كَادُوا يَرَوْنَ شُعَاعَ الشَّمْسِ قَالَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِمُ ارْجِعُوا فَسَنَحْفِرُهُ غَدًا ‏.‏ فَيُعِيدُهُ اللَّهُ أَشَدَّ مَا كَانَ حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَتْ مُدَّتُهُمْ وَأَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَبْعَثَهُمْ عَلَى النَّاسِ حَفَرُوا حَتَّى إِذَا كَادُوا يَرَوْنَ شُعَاعَ الشَّمْسِ قَالَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِمُ ارْجِعُوا فَسَتَحْفِرُونَهُ غَدًا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى وَاسْتَثْنَوْا فَيَعُودُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَهُوَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ حِينَ تَرَكُوهُ فَيَحْفِرُونَهُ وَيَخْرُجُونَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَيَنْشِفُونَ الْمَاءَ وَيَتَحَصَّنُ النَّاسُ مِنْهُمْ فِي حُصُونِهِمْ فَيَرْمُونَ بِسِهَامِهِمْ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَتَرْجِعُ عَلَيْهَا الدَّمُ الَّذِي اجْفَظَّ فَيَقُولُونَ قَهَرْنَا أَهْلَ الأَرْضِ وَعَلَوْنَا أَهْلَ السَّمَاءِ فَيَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ نَغَفًا فِي أَقْفَائِهِمْ فَيَقْتُلُهُمْ بِهَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏”‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّ دَوَابَّ الأَرْضِ لَتَسْمَنُ وَتَشْكَرُ شَكَرًا مِنْ لُحُومِهِمْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏
“Gog and Magog people dig every day until, when they can almost see the rays of the sun, the one in charge of them says: “Go back and we will dig it tomorrow.” Then Allah puts it back, stronger than it was before. (This will continue) until, when their time has come, and Allah wants to send them against the people, they will dig until they can almost see the rays of the sun, then the one who is in charge of them will say: “Go back, and we will dig it tomorrow if Allah wills.’ So they will say: “If Allah wills.” Then they will come back to it and it will be as they left it. So they will dig and will come out to the people, and they will drink all the water. The people will fortify themselves against them in their fortresses. They will shoot their arrows towards the sky and they will come back with blood on them, and they will say: “We have defeated the people of earth and dominated the people of heaven.” Then Allah will send a worm in the napes of their necks and will kill them thereby.'” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the beasts of the earth will grow fat on their flesh.”
_{[Sunan Ibn Majah 4080]}

An-Nawwas b. Sam`an reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) made a mention of the Dajjal one day in the morning. He (ﷺ) sometimes described him to be insignificant and sometimes described (his turmoil) as very significant (and we felt) as if he were in the cluster of the date-palm trees. When we went to him (to the Holy Prophet) in the evening and he read (the signs of fear) in our faces, he (ﷺ) said:

“[…] And then Allah would send Gog and Magog and they would swarm down from every slope. The first of them would pass the lake of Tiberias and drink out of it. And when the last of them would pass, he would say: There was once water there […]”

_{[Sahih Muslim 2937 a]}

• In this hadith, the Dajjal and Gog and Magog are described as seizing control over life’s essentials, symbolized by water, which is the very source of life. Spiritually, this can mean depriving people of their connection with Allah, as water also represents communion with Him. Historically speaking, if we take the literal interpretation, the Lake of Tiberias (also known as Lake of Galilee) is now significantly depleted and has been drying up since many decades now due to various reasons. These facts are well-documented by multiple credible news outlets. [Example]

Dhul-Qarnayn and the Barrier Against Gog and Magog

This is described in 8 consecutive verses [18:91-98] of Surah Al-Kahf in the Holy Qur’an.

“Until, when he reached the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had made no shelter against it. Thus indeed it was. Verily, We encompassed with Our knowledge all that was with him. Then he followed another way. Until, when he reached the place between the two mountains, he found beneath them a people who would scarcely understand a word. They said, ‘O Dhu’l Qarnain, verily, Gog and Magog are creating disorder in the earth; shall we then pay thee tribute on condition that thou set up a barrier between us and them?’ He replied, ‘The power with which my Lord has endowed me about this is better, but you may help me with physical strength; I will set up between you and them a rampart. ‘Bring me blocks of iron.’ They did so till, when he had levelled up the space between the two mountain sides, he said, ‘Now blow with your bellows.’ They blew till, when he had made it red as fire, he said, ‘Bring me molten copper that I may pour it thereon.’ So they (Gog and Magog) were not able to scale it, nor were they able to dig through it.”

[Quran 18:91-98]

• This verse refers to Cyrus’ eastern expedition, likely to Afghanistan and Baluchistan regions then inhabited by uncivilized people living in huts and tents rather than brick houses. Historical records on Cyrus’ eastern campaigns are scarce, but the description fits the barren, rocky terrain of Baluchistan and surrounding areas. The phrase “We encompassed with Our knowledge all that was with him” indicates Cyrus was under Divine protection, echoing Biblical references to God guiding him.
  
• The passage then shifts to Cyrus’ third expedition northward, between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, where a people with a different language, but some knowledge of Persian, lived. The “two mountains” describe the natural barriers at Derbent pass, where Cyrus built a strong wall to block the raids of Gog and Magog, with the help of local laborers providing iron and molten copper. materials chosen for their durability and resistance to rust. This massive barrier, about 29 feet high and 10 feet thick with iron gates, successfully stopped the incursions, protecting Persia.
  
• Cyrus humbly credited God’s mercy for his success. However, the verse also foretells that this barrier will eventually be broken when God’s appointed time comes, allowing Gog and Magog to spread once more symbolizing future chaos, including the decline of political powers protecting the region.

Gog and Magog will hasten forth from every height

This is described in verse [21:97]of Surah Al-Anbiya’ in the Holy Qur’an.

“It shall be so even when Gog and Magog are let loose and they shall hasten forth from every height.”

_{[Quran 21:97]}

• The description of Gog and Magog as given in the Bible leaves no doubt about the fact that it applies to some Christian powers of the west: Firstly, because they are represented as very numerous and powerful and mighty and their numbers as further swelling by their allies. Says the Bible:
• Thou shalt ascend, and come like a storm, Thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands and many people with thee (Ezek. 38:‍9). Gog and Magog… the number of whom is as the sand of the sea (Rev. 20:‍8). Every feathered fowl, and every beast of the field is thus addressed, ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth (Ezek. 39:‍18,19).
• Secondly, they are shown coming forth from the northern parts of the earth, and from the isles: “And thou (o Gog) shalt come from thy place out of the north, thou, and many people with thee” (Ezek. 38:‍15). Thirdly, they will spread all over the world: “They went up on the breadth of the earth” (Rev. 20:‍9). Fourthly, from their home in the north, they will migrate to other lands and settle in all the four corners of the earth and in time of war they will gather together from their distant colonies: “Satan…. shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle” (Rev. 20:‍8).Fifthly, the very root meaning of the words ‘Gog’ and ‘Magog,’ as shown under “Important Words,” points to western Christian nations as the nations referred to in the above Biblical prophecies.
• The name Gog first occurs in 1 Chr. 5:‍4, where he is mentioned as a descendant of Joel.
• But Ezek. 38:‍3, and 39:‍1, speak of Gog as ‘prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal’, evidently Rosh standing for Russia, Meshech for Moscow and Tubal for To bolsk. Gog is also spoken of as ‘of the land of Magog’ (Ezek. 38:‍2) and Magog, in this verse of the Bible, according to the commentators of the Bible represents the regions which of old went by the name of Scythia (including Russia and Tartary), from which in the past issued many hordes of barbarians. As Russia was included in the land of Magog, Rosh, Meshech and Tubal must be taken as standing for Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk.
• Magog was the second of Japheth’s sons (Gen. 10:‍2) and his descendants seem to have given their name to the land referred to in Ezek. 38:‍2. But Magog has also been spoken of as the name of a people in Ezek. 39:‍6 and in Rev. 20:‍8. In the former, Magog has been mentioned along with those ‘that dwell carelessly in the isles.’ These passages also show that Gog and Magog represent some of the great Powers of Europe, including Russia.
• Gog and Magog have also been mentioned elsewhere in the Quran (18:95). There they have been spoken of as making raids into territories on the northern border of Iran, which means that they were the tribes generally known as Scythians. It is a known historical fact that in olden times the Scythians continued to move in large bodies from Asia into Europe, their route lying north of the Caucasus. (Enc. Brit. vol. 12, p. 263. 14th edit.). As one horde settled down in Europe new hordes came forth from the east, pushing their predecessors further and further West. Thus the nations of Europe have been legitimately called Gog and Magog in the Biblical prophecy. It is curious that the memory of two heroes named Gog and Magog is preserved to this day in Guild Hall (London) in the form of two statues. The original effigies which were destroyed in the Great Fire in the sixteenth century are known to have existed in the time of Henry V. These heroes seem to have been connected with Britain from very ancient times.
• Again, from “Ezekiel” and “Revelation” it appears that Gog and Magog will make their appearance in the Latter Days i.e. in the time just before the second coming of the Messiah: “After many years thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword” (Ezek. 38:‍8). “It shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land” (Ezek. 38:‍16). See also Rev. 20:‍7-10. These verses show that the prophecy refers to a people who were to have appeared in the distant future. That distant future is the time through which we are now passing and the mighty people of whom the prophecy speaks are the great Christian powers of the west. The following prophecy in Ezekiel shows that the age in which Gog and Magog were to make their appearance was to be marked by wars, earthquakes, pestilences and terrible catastrophes:
• And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, (by Israel is here meant the true Israel—the followers of Islam) saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel. So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man’s sword shall be against his brother (And on that day We shall leave some of them to surge against others—Quran, 18:100). And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord” (38:18-23). See also 18:84, 100 & 102.
• The present verse when read in conjunction with its predecessor purports to say that the law of nature works in this way that once a people after the heyday of their grandeur and glory, fall a victim to death and destruction they never regain their lost glory. But it further says that a new phenomenon will take place in the time of Gog and Magog. After their power and might will have gone to pieces and their glory departed the followers of Islam will again come into their own and regain their former greatness, grandeur and glory after they had lost all hope of regeneration. Gog and Magog or the Christian nations of the west have now scaled all the heights of political power and have spread over the whole world which has become divided into two opposite armed camps, viz. Western democracies and their allies on one side and communism and its satellites on the other. One part of the prophecy has been fulfilled, the other part about the complete and utter destruction of Gog and Magog is awaiting fulfilment. The signs of its fulfilment are already apparent on the horizon.
• The verse may also signify that the nations that had been subjugated by western Christian powers and had groaned under their cruel exploitation and heartless tyranny will rise to new life again when Christian Powers will begin to deteriorate and fall, after having attained to the highest pinnacles of material glory.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS): Gog and Magog are here

Over 120 years ago, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), wrote about the emergence of Gog and Magog with striking clarity. He (AS) described them as powerful European nations, unmatched in their war inventions and mastery over modern technology. He explicitly stated:

• Their expertise would lie in Ajij (fire)
• Their weapons would be fire-based (guns, bombs, etc.)
• Their ships and trains would run on fire
• And no other nation would rival their innovations in warfare

European Powers are Gog and Magog

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) was abundantly clear that Gog and Magog mentioned in Quran and Hadith refers to the Christian nations of Europe. He (AS) writes:

“On the one hand, it is proved from the Bible that the Christians of Europe are Gog and Magog, and, on the other, the Holy Qur’ăn has mentioned specific signs concerning Gog and Magog which can only be applied to European powers, as, for instance, it is written that they will scale every height, i.e., they will overcome all other powers and be supreme in all worldly matters. Similarly, it is also mentioned in the Ahädith that no country will be able to stand up to them. Thus it is conclusively established that these powers are Gog and Magog. To deny this is sheer obstinacy and opposition to God’s Word. Who can deny that in accordance with the Word of God Almighty and the explanation of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), these are the people who, in their worldly power, are superior to every other people. They have no equal in the art of war and state craft. Their inventions and machines have established new patterns, both in war and in worldly comforts and luxuries. They have brought about an amazing revolution in the culture of mankind and have displayed such mastery in statecraft and in providing equipment for war and peace, as has no parallel since the creation of the world.

Thus, centuries after the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the rise of European powers is the event in accordance with the sign specified in his prophecy. As God has disclosed the meaning of Gog and Magog and events have proven that a certain people fit the signs that have been mentioned, refusal to acknowledge this would be denial of an established verity. No one can stop a person from persisting in his denial, but every just-minded one who is a seeker after truth would, on being informed of all these particulars, testify with full confidence that these people are Gog and Magog.”

_{[Chashma-e-Ma’rifat, Rühãni Khazã’in, vol. 23, pp. 83-88, Essence of Islam Volume III, p.307-308]}

Promised Messiah’s Arrival Was Meant for the Time of Gog & Magog

Ahmad (AS) further writes that it was destined since the time of Adam (AS) that the Promised Messiah (AS) would appear during the time of Gog and Magog. This is also mentioned in various early scriptures. He (AS) writes:

“I have also proved that it is essential for the Promised Messiah to appear at the time of Gog and Magog. Since Ajij, from which the words Gog and Magog are derived, means ‘fire’, God Almighty has disclosed to me that Gog and Magog are a people who are greater experts in the use of fire than any other people. Their very names indicate that their ships, trains and machines will be run by fire. They will fight their battles with fire. They will excel all other people in harnessing fire to their service. This is why they will be called Gog and Magog. These are the people of the West, as they are unique in their expertise in the use of fire. In Jewish scriptures, too it was the people of Europe who were described as Gog and Magog. Even the name of Moscow, which is the ancient capital of Russia, is mentioned. Thus, it was preordained that the Promised Messiah would appear in the time of Gog and Magog.“

_{[Ayyăm-us-Sulh, Rühãni Khazã’in, vol. 14, pp. 424-425, Essence of Islam Volume III, Chapter 9: Gog and Magog]}

Introduction

Non-Ahmadis often ask: If the Promised Messiah (as) has come, then where are Ya’juj wa Ma’juj and how have they emerged?

Well, first we have to understand who Gog and Magog are. Ya’juj wa Ma’juj, also known as Gog and Magog, are mysterious peoples referenced in the Qur’an (notably in Surah al-Kahf) and in several Ahadith narrations. In this article, we will be explaining the true nature of Gog

Ya’juj wa Ma’juj are described to have been a corrupt and powerful people whose widespread mischief led Dhul-Qarnayn to construct a great barrier, mentioned in Surah al-Kahf, made of iron and molten copper and divinely enabled to hold them back until the appointed time. Their release is counted among the major signs of the Last Day, after which they will “descend from every height” and spread chaos and corruption across the earth. Their eventual defeat will come directly by Allah’s decree as per the Hadith.

Will make extensive use of Ajij (fire)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah & Mahdi, explains that Gog and Magog refer to nations that will make heavy use of fire in warfare:

“Yajuj [Gog] and Majüj [Magog] are two peoples who have been mentioned in earlier scriptures. The reason why they are so called is that they make extensive use of Ajij [fire], and would reign supreme on earth and dominate every height. At the same time, a great change will be ordained from heaven and will usher in days of peace and amity.”

_{[Lecture Siälkot, Rühäni Khazã’in, vol. 20, p. 211, Essence of Islam Vol III, Chapter 9: Gog and Magog]}

Imam Al-Raghib al-Isfahani also agrees:

ويأجوج ومأجوج منه شبهوا بالنار المضطرمة والمياه المتموجة لكثرة اضطرابهم

Ya’jūj and Ma’jūj are derived from it, likened to a blazing fire and to surging waters due to their excessive turbulence.

[Mufradat al Qur’an p.10]

This means Gog and Magog represent nations that have mastered the power of fire, harnessing it on an unmatched scale for technology, weaponry, and global dominance, even creating weapons as destructive as the atomic bomb.

Will Appear During Time of Promised Messiah (AS)

“I have also proved that it is essential for the Promised Messiah to appear at the time of Gog and Magog. Since Ajij, from which the words Gog and Magog are derived, means ‘fire’, God Almighty has disclosed to me that Gog and Magog are a people who are greater experts in the use of fire than any other people. Their very names indicate that their ships, trains and machines will be run by fire. They will fight their battles with fire. They will excel all other people in harnessing fire to their service. This is why they will be called Gog and Magog. These are the people of the West, as they are unique in their expertise in the use of fire. In Jewish scriptures, too it was the people of Europe who were described as Gog and Magog. Even the name of Moscow, which is the ancient capital of Russia, is mentioned. Thus, it was preordained that the Promised Messiah would appear in the time of Gog and Magog.“

_{[Ayyăm-us-Sulh, Rühãni Khazã’in, vol. 14, pp. 424-425, Essence of Islam Volume III, Chapter 9: Gog and Magog]}

For evidence supporting this, see the video linked below, which demonstrates that the most significant advancements occurred between the 17th and 20th centuries (the time of the Promised Messiah a.s)

Will Cause Political Destablization & Disrupt Peace

“Dajjal [the Antichrist], Gog and Magog are specially mentioned among the afflictions and tribulations that Islam was to endure in the Latter Days. Indeed, all of them are various manifestations of the same trial. Dajjal is the name of the religious aspect of that trial, which means that that group will corrupt the religious beliefs and views of people in the Latter Days. 

“The group that would destabilise the state of political affairs and destroy the political peace and order has been referred to as Gog and Magog. What is meant by both of these groups is the worldly power and the religious facet of the Western Christian nations. 

“However, Allah the Exalted also informed us through His beloved Prophet^sa that when the trials of Dajjal and Gog and Magog would arise and Islam would have weakened, He would appoint the Promised Messiah to safeguard Islam. Muslims would not enjoy material power at that time but the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah^as would relentlessly work with prayers and preaching, thanks to which Allah the Exalted Himself will destroy those evils.”

_{[Al-Hakam, May 7th, 2021]}

Refers to People of Europe in Jewish Scriptures

Hazrat Ahmad (AS) further mentions Moscow and how in Jewish scriptures it was mentioned as being Gog and Magog. This is mentioned in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament.

“In Jewish scriptures too it was the people of Europe who were described as Gog and Magog. Even the name of Moscow, which is the ancient capital of Russia, is mentioned. Thus it was preordained that the Promised Messiah would appear in the time of Gog and Magog.” 

[Lecture Siälkot, Rühäni Khazã’in, vol. 20, p. 211, Essence of Islam Vol III, Chapter 9: Gog and Magog]

Old Testament

Ezkekiel 38:1-3

“The word of the Lord came to me, ‘Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him and say, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshek and Tubal.’”

[Ezekiel, 38: 1-3]

Ancient Jewish historian Josephus (1st century AD) connected Magog with peoples living northeast of the Black Sea. Archaeological and historical studies point to tribes in modern-day southern Russia or the Caucasus region. Many other writers have just directly switched out Rosh for Russia, Meshek for Moscow and Tubal for Tobolsk.

This verse also makes it clear that God will be against Gog and Magog further elaborating that they are godless nations.

Ezekiel 38:9

This verse describes Gog’s army sweeping to attack, overwhelming the land “like a cloud,” which many commentators see as an image of vast, swift-moving forces that foreshadow modern mechanized or aerial warfare.

“You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.”

[Ezekiel, 38: 9]

Ezkekiel 38:15

Ezekiel 38:15 says Gog will come “from your far north” (Hebrew: yarkete tsaphon).

“You will come from your place in the far north (from your far north), you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.”

[Ezekiel, 38:15]

1 Chronicles 1:5

Magog is identified as a northern people, giving the ethnic and geographic origin for the Gog/Magog coalition of Ezekiel 38–39, with Gog later depicted as their leader in the end times.

“The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.”

[1 Chronicles 1:5]

New Testament

Revelation 20:7-9

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them.”

[Revelation 20:7–9]

John (the supposed author) here uses Gog and Magog as symbolic representations of the final forces of evil nations united under Satan’s deception in a last rebellion against God. Rather than referring to specific peoples, they represent the enemies of God’s kingdom gathered for the ultimate battle at the end of history.

Overall in the Jewish Scriptures Gog and Magog are showed as physical nations North of Israel (Russia) or in the New Testament as evil nations that will serve Satan’s purpose in the end times.

Conclusion

Firstly, the identity of Gog and Magog (Ya’juj wa Ma’juj) has been misunderstood by many Muslims who expect them to be monstrous tribes trapped behind a physical wall. The Qur’an, Ahadith, and Jewish/Christian scriptures all point instead to powerful nations that would dominate the world in the Latter Days.

Secondly, the Promised Messiah (AS) clearly explained that their very name derives from Ajij (fire), meaning they would excel in fire-based technology, warfare, and industry. This is fulfilled perfectly in the Western nations who harnessed steam, electricity, and atomic energy to attain global dominance.

Thirdly, Gog and Magog represent the political and material powers of the West, just as Dajjal represents their religious deception. Both forces together create the trial of the Latter Days, against which Allah raised the Promised Messiah (AS) to defend Islam.

Lastly, the Jewish and Christian scriptures further support this interpretation by directly identifying Gog and Magog with the peoples of Europe, Russia, and the northern lands. Thus, far from being a future myth, Gog and Magog have already emerged in our time, fulfilling one of the greatest signs of the age of the Promised Messiah (AS).