Who are Gog and Magog (Ya’juj wa Ma’juj)? | Full Explanation
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]](https://whiteminaret.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GogMagog-EssenceofIslamVol3-GhulamAhmad-scaled.png){kind=link}
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]
![[Mufradat al Qur’an p.10]](https://whiteminaret.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-17.jpg){kind=link}
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 Prophetsa 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 Messiahas would relentlessly work with prayers and preaching, thanks to which Allah the Exalted Himself will destroy those evils.”
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.”
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.’”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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).