Many earthquakes
Partly
In brief
The Prophet ﷺ said the Hour will not come until earthquakes become many. He mentioned it in a list together with knowledge being taken away and time passing quickly, and gave no further detail.
It is a sign that spreads over time, with no fixed place in the order. Seismologists record far more earthquakes today than a century ago, but that is largely because there are far more instruments to detect them. Whether large earthquakes are actually happening more often is still debated by scientists.
When the earth shook in Kufa, Ibn Mas'ud said: 'Your Lord wants you to turn back to Him.'
Where it sits in the sequence
The narrations do not put these in order, and many of them overlap. Sahih al-Bukhari 7121 lists several together.
Strongest narrations
Read all in the archive →Tags are automatic and unreviewed.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقْبَضَ الْعِلْمُ، وَتَكْثُرَ الزَّلاَزِلُ، وَيَتَقَارَبَ الزَّمَانُ، وَتَظْهَرَ الْفِتَنُ، وَيَكْثُرَ الْهَرْجُ ـ وَهْوَ الْقَتْلُ الْقَتْلُ ـ حَتَّى يَكْثُرَ فِيكُمُ الْمَالُ فَيَفِيضُ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until (religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious learned men), earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money will overflow amongst you." (See Hadith No. 85 Vol)
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَوْنٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي شَامِنَا وَفِي يَمَنِنَا. قَالَ قَالُوا وَفِي نَجْدِنَا قَالَ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي شَامِنَا وَفِي يَمَنِنَا. قَالَ قَالُوا وَفِي نَجْدِنَا قَالَ قَالَ هُنَاكَ الزَّلاَزِلُ وَالْفِتَنُ، وَبِهَا يَطْلُعُ قَرْنُ الشَّيْطَانِ.
Narrated Ibn `Umar:(The Prophet) said, "O Allah! Bless our Sham and our Yemen." People said, "Our Najd as well." The Prophet again said, "O Allah! Bless our Sham and Yemen." They said again, "Our Najd as well." On that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There will appear earthquakes and afflictions, and from there will come out the side of the head of Satan
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَزْهَرُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَوْنٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ ذَكَرَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي شَأْمِنَا، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي يَمَنِنَا ". قَالُوا وَفِي نَجْدِنَا. قَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي شَأْمِنَا، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي يَمَنِنَا ". قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَفِي نَجْدِنَا فَأَظُنُّهُ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةَ " هُنَاكَ الزَّلاَزِلُ وَالْفِتَنُ، وَبِهَا يَطْلُعُ قَرْنُ الشَّيْطَانِ ".
Narrated Ibn `Umar:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Sham! O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Yemen." The People said, "And also on our Najd." He said, "O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Sham (north)! O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Yemen." The people said, "O Allah's Apostle! And also on our Najd." I think the third time the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There (in Najd) is the place of earthquakes and afflictions and from there comes out the side of the head of Satan
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تَقْتَتِلَ فِئَتَانِ عَظِيمَتَانِ، يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُمَا مَقْتَلَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ، دَعْوَتُهُمَا وَاحِدَةٌ، وَحَتَّى يُبْعَثَ دَجَّالُونَ كَذَّابُونَ، قَرِيبٌ مِنْ ثَلاَثِينَ، كُلُّهُمْ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَحَتَّى يُقْبَضَ الْعِلْمُ، وَتَكْثُرَ الزَّلاَزِلُ، وَيَتَقَارَبَ الزَّمَانُ، وَتَظْهَرَ الْفِتَنُ، وَيَكْثُرَ الْهَرْجُ وَهْوَ الْقَتْلُ، وَحَتَّى يَكْثُرَ فِيكُمُ الْمَالُ فَيَفِيضَ، حَتَّى يُهِمَّ رَبَّ الْمَالِ مَنْ يَقْبَلُ صَدَقَتَهُ، وَحَتَّى يَعْرِضَهُ فَيَقُولَ الَّذِي يَعْرِضُهُ عَلَيْهِ لاَ أَرَبَ لِي بِهِ. وَحَتَّى يَتَطَاوَلَ النَّاسُ فِي الْبُنْيَانِ، وَحَتَّى يَمُرَّ الرَّجُلُ بِقَبْرِ الرَّجُلِ فَيَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي مَكَانَهُ. وَحَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا، فَإِذَا طَلَعَتْ وَرَآهَا النَّاسُ ـ يَعْنِي ـ آمَنُوا أَجْمَعُونَ، فَذَلِكَ حِينَ لاَ يَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَانُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ، أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمَانِهَا خَيْرًا، وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَقَدْ نَشَرَ الرَّجُلاَنِ ثَوْبَهُمَا بَيْنَهُمَا، فَلاَ يَتَبَايَعَانِهِ وَلاَ يَطْوِيَانِهِ، وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَقَدِ انْصَرَفَ الرَّجُلُ بِلَبَنِ لِقْحَتِهِ فَلاَ يَطْعَمُهُ، وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَهْوَ يُلِيطُ حَوْضَهُ فَلاَ يَسْقِي فِيهِ، وَلَتَقُومَنَّ السَّاعَةُ وَقَدْ رَفَعَ أُكْلَتَهُ إِلَى فِيهِ فَلاَ يَطْعَمُهَا ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The Hour will not be established (1) till two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following one and the same religious doctrine, (2) till about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear, and each one of them will claim that he is Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), (3) till the religious knowledge is taken away (by the death of Religious scholars) (4) earthquakes will increase in number (5) time will pass quickly, (6) afflictions will appear, (7) Al-Harj, (i.e., killing) will increase, (8) till wealth will be in abundance ---- so abundant that a wealthy person will worry lest nobody should accept his Zakat, and whenever he will present it to someone, that person (to whom it will be offered) will say, 'I am not in need of it, (9) till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings, (10) till a man when passing by a grave of someone will say, 'Would that I were in his place (11) and till the sun rises from the West. So when the sun will rise and the people will see it (rising from the West) they will all believe (embrace Islam) but that will be the time when: (As Allah said,) 'No good will it do to a soul to believe then, if it believed not before, nor earned good (by deeds of righteousness) through its Faith.' (6.158) And the Hour will be established while two men spreading a garment in front of them but they will not be able to sell it, nor fold it up; and the Hour will be established when a man has milked his she-camel and has taken away the milk but he will not be able to drink it; and the Hour will be established before a man repairing a tank (for his livestock) is able to water (his animals) in it; and the Hour will be established when a person has raised a morsel (of food) to his mouth but will not be able to eat it
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَسَدُ بْنُ مُوسَى، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنِي ضَمْرَةُ، أَنَّ ابْنَ زُغْبٍ الإِيَادِيَّ، حَدَّثَهُ قَالَ : نَزَلَ عَلَىَّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ حَوَالَةَ الأَزْدِيُّ فَقَالَ لِي : بَعَثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِنَغْنَمَ عَلَى أَقْدَامِنَا فَرَجَعْنَا فَلَمْ نَغْنَمْ شَيْئًا وَعَرَفَ الْجُهْدَ فِي وُجُوهِنَا فَقَامَ فِينَا فَقَالَ : " اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَكِلْهُمْ إِلَىَّ فَأَضْعُفَ عَنْهُمْ، وَلاَ تَكِلْهُمْ إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ فَيَعْجِزُوا عَنْهَا، وَلاَ تَكِلْهُمْ إِلَى النَّاسِ فَيَسْتَأْثِرُوا عَلَيْهِمْ " . ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِي - أَوْ قَالَ : عَلَى هَامَتِي - ثُمَّ قَالَ : " يَا ابْنَ حَوَالَةَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْخِلاَفَةَ قَدْ نَزَلَتْ أَرْضَ الْمُقَدَّسَةِ فَقَدْ دَنَتِ الزَّلاَزِلُ وَالْبَلاَبِلُ وَالأُمُورُ الْعِظَامُ، وَالسَّاعَةُ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَقْرَبُ مِنَ النَّاسِ مِنْ يَدِي هَذِهِ مِنْ رَأْسِكَ " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ : عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ حَوَالَةَ حِمْصِيٌّ .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Hawalah al-Azdi: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent us on foot to get spoil, but we returned without getting any. When he saw the signs of distress on our faces, he stood up on our faces and said: O Allah, do not put them under my care, for I would be too weak to care for them; do not put them in care of themselves, for they would be incapable of that, and do not put them in the care of men, for they would choose the best things for themselves. He then placed his hand on my head and said: Ibn Hawalah, when you see the caliphate has settled in the holy land, earthquakes, sorrows and serious matters will have drawn near and on that day the Last Hour will be nearer to mankind than this hand of mine is to your head. Abu Dawud said: 'Abd Allah b. Hawalah belongs to Hims
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمَسْعُودِيُّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أُمَّتِي هَذِهِ أُمَّةٌ مَرْحُومَةٌ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا عَذَابٌ فِي الآخِرَةِ عَذَابُهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا الْفِتَنُ وَالزَّلاَزِلُ وَالْقَتْلُ " .
Narrated AbuMusa: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: This people of mine is one to which mercy is shown. It will have no punishment in the next world, but its punishment in this world will be trials, earthquakes and being killed
Weak and ungraded reports on this sign
20
Shown for study, not as established. Includes Kitab al-Fitan of Nu'aym ibn Hammad, which is ungraded and weak overall.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
حدثنا أبو العباس محمد بن يعقوب، ثنا أحمد بن عبد الجبار، ثنا محمد بن فضيل بن غزوان، ثنا صدقة بن المثنى، ثنا رباح بن الحارث، عن أبي بردة، قال: بينا أنا واقف في السوق في إمارة زياد إذ ضربت بإحدى يدي على الأخرى تعجبا، فقال رجل، من الأنصار قد كانت لوالده صحبة مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: مما تعجب يا أبا بردة؟ قلت: أعجب من قوم دينهم واحد ونبيهم واحد ودعوتهم واحدة وحجهم واحد وغزوهم واحد يستحل بعضهم قتل بعض، قال: فلا تعجب فإني سمعت والدي، أخبرني أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «إن أمتي أمة مرحومة ليس عليها في الآخرة حساب ولا عذاب، إنما عذابها في القتل والزلازل والفتن» هذا حديث صحيح الإسناد ولم يخرجاه "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
أخبرنا أحمد بن سلمان الفقيه، ببغداد، ثنا الحسن بن مكرم، ثنا يزيد بن هارون، أنبأ عبد الرحمن بن عبد الله المسعودي، عن سعيد بن أبي بردة، عن أبيه، عن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أمتي أمة مرحومة لا عذاب عليها في الآخرة، جعل الله عذابها في الدنيا القتل والزلازل والفتن» هذا حديث صحيح الإسناد، ولم يخرجاه "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
حدثنا أبو محمد بن جعفر بن صالح بن هانئ، ثنا محمد بن إسماعيل بن مهران، ثنا صفوان بن صالح الدمشقي، ومحمد بن المصفى الحمصي، قالا: ثنا مبشر بن إسماعيل الحلبي، ثنا أرطأة بن المنذر، قال: سمعت ضمرة بن حبيب، يقول: سمعت سلمة بن نفيل السكوني، يقول وكان من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: بينا نحن جلوس عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فجاء رجل، فقال: يا نبي الله، هل أتيت بطعام من السماء؟ فقال: «أتيت بطعام مسخنة» ، قال: فهل كان فيه فضل عنك؟ قال: «نعم» ، قال: فما فعل به؟ قال: «رفع حتى إلى السماء وهو يوحي إلي أنني غير لابث فيكم إلا قليلا، ولستم لابثين بعدي إلا قليلا، بل تلبثون حتى تقولوا حتى متى، ثم تأتون أفنادا، ويفني بعضكم بعضا، وبين يدي الساعة موتان شديد وبعده سنوات الزلازل» هذا حديث صحيح على شرط الشيخين، ولم يخرجاه "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
حدثنا أزهر بن سعد أبو بكر السمان، أخبرنا ابن عون، عن نافع، عن ابن عمر، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " اللهم بارك لنا في شامنا، اللهم بارك لنا في يمننا "، قالوا: وفي نجدنا ! قال: " اللهم بارك لنا في شامنا، اللهم بارك لنا في يمننا "، قالوا: وفي نجدنا قال: " هنالك الزلازل، والفتن منها أو قال: بها يطلع قرن الشيطان "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Bible · Old Testament
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
Ezekiel 38:1-39:29
The War of Gog and Magog (Yajuj wa Majuj): Invasion and Divine Annihilation
Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. In the latter days, Gog amasses a vast coalition from the remote north, riding horses like a tempest covering the land to plunder a restored, peaceful people. God unleashes catastrophic divine fury: catastrophic earthquakes collapsing mountains, pestilence, torrential rain, hailstones, and brimstone. The invaders' weapons serve as fuel for seven years, and seven months are spent burying their corpses in the Valley of Hamon-Gog.
בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית הַשָּׁנִ֜ים תָּב֣וֹא אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ׀ מְשׁוֹבֶ֣בֶת מֵחֶ֗רֶב מְקֻבֶּ֙צֶת֙ מֵעַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים עַ֚ל הָרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל... וְעָלִ֙יתָ֙ כַּשֹּׁאָ֣ה תָב֔וֹא כֶּעָנָ֛ן לְכַסּ֥וֹת הָאָ֖רֶץ תִּהְיֶ֑ה אַתָּה֙ וְכָל־אֲגַפֶּ֔יךָ וְעַמִּ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים אוֹתָֽךְ׃
In the latter years you will come into the land that is gathered out of many peoples, on the mountains of Israel... You will advance like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you, and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.
וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּ֥י אִתּ֖וֹ בְּדֶ֣בֶר וּבְדָ֑ם וְגֶ֣שֶׁם שׁוֹטֵף֩ וְאַבְנֵ֨י אֶלְגָּבִ֜ישׁ אֵ֣שׁ וְגָפְרִ֗ית אַמְטִ֤יר עָלָיו֙ וְעַל־אֲגַפָּ֔יו וְעַל־עַמִּ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ׃
I will enter into judgment with him with pestilence and with blood. I will rain on him, and on his hordes, and on the many peoples who are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
וְיָצְא֞וּ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י עָרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וּבִעֲר֣וּ וְ֠הִשִּׂיקוּ בְּנֶ֨שֶׁק וּמָגֵ֤ן וְצִנָּה֙ בְּקֶ֣שֶׁת וּבְחִצִּ֔ים וּבְמַקֵּ֥ל יָ֖ד וּבְרֹ֑מַח וּבִעֲר֥וּ בָהֶ֛ם אֵ֖שׁ שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִֽים׃
Those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, and will make fires of the weapons and burn them: both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, the war clubs and the spears, and they will burn them with fire for seven years.
Zechariah 12:1-14; 14:1-21
The Siege of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives Splitting, and Universal Kingship
Zechariah prophesies that Jerusalem will become an immovable rock and a cup of trembling to all the surrounding nations. In chapter 14, all nations are gathered against Jerusalem to battle; half the city is captured. Then the Lord intervenes: His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, and the mount will split in two from east to west, forming a very great valley. A unique day arrives, neither day nor night, living waters flow out from Jerusalem, and the Lord becomes King over all the earth.
וְהָיָ֣ה בַיּוֹם־הַה֗וּא אָ֠שִׂים אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלִַ֞ם אֶ֤בֶן מַֽעֲמָסָה֙ לְכָל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים כָּל־עֹמְסֶ֖יהָ שָׂר֣וֹט יִשָּׂרֵ֑טוּ וְנֶאֶסְפ֣וּ עָלֶ֔יהָ כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ׃
It will happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.
וְעָמְד֣וּ רַגְלָ֣יו בַּיּוֹם־הַה֡וּא עַל־הַר֩ הַזֵּיתִ֨ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר עַל־פְּנֵי֩ יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם מִקֶּ֜דֶם וְנִבְקַע֩ הַ֨ר הַזֵּיתִ֤ים מֵחֶצְיוֹ֙ מִזְרָ֣חָה וָיָ֔מָּה גֵּ֖יא גְּדוֹלָ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד
His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very great valley.
וְהָיָ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה לְמֶ֖לֶךְ עַל־כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא יִהְיֶ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה אֶחָ֖ד וּשְׁמ֥וֹ אֶחָֽד׃
The Lord will be King over all the earth. In that day the Lord will be one, and his name one.
Bible · New Testament
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
Matthew 24:1-44 (cf. Mark 13, Luke 21)
The Olivet Discourse: Signs of the End of the Age and the Temple's Destruction
Sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Jesus is asked by his disciples: 'What will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?' He details the birth pangs of the end: false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. He warns of severe persecution, love growing cold, and the gospel being preached in all the world. He points to Daniel's 'abomination of desolation' standing in the holy place, followed by unprecedented tribulation, celestial collapse, and the Son of Man descending with power and great glory on the clouds of heaven with a great trumpet sound.
μελλήσετε δὲ ἀκούειν πολέμους καὶ ἀκοὰς πολέμων· ὁρᾶτε μὴ θροεῖσθε· δεῖ γὰρ γενέσθαι, ἀλλ’ οὔπω ἐστὶν τὸ τέλος. ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπὶ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν, καὶ ἔσονται λιμοὶ καὶ σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους·
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren't troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places.
Ὅταν οὖν ἴδητε τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Δανιὴλ τοῦ προφήτου ἑστὸς ἐν τόπῳ ἁγίῳ, ὁ ἀναγινώσκων νοείτω,
When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)...
καὶ τότε φανήσεται τὸ σημεῖον τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν οὐρανῷ... καὶ ὄψονται τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ μετὰ δυνάμεως καὶ δόξης πολλῆς·
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven... and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Revelation 6:1-17
The Opening of the Six Seals: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the Cosmic Earthquake
The Lamb opens the first six seals of the cosmic scroll. Four horsemen gallop forth: a White Horse (conquest), a Red Horse (taking peace from the earth so men slay one another, universal slaughter), a Black Horse holding a pair of scales (famine where grain is weighed at exorbitant prices), and a Pale Horse named Death and Hades, given power over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts. The sixth seal produces a colossal earthquake: the sun turns black as sackcloth of hair, the full moon becomes like blood, the stars fall to earth like ripe figs, and kings and generals hide in caves, crying: 'Fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb!'
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἄλλος ἵππος πυρρός, καὶ τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπ’ αὐτὸν ἐδόθη αὐτῷ λαβεῖν τὴν εἰρήνην ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἵνα ἀλλήλους σφάξουσιν, καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ μάχαιρα μεγάλη.
Another horse came out, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword.
καὶ σεισμὸς μέγας ἐγένετο, καὶ ὁ ἥλιος ἐγένετο μέλας ὡς σάκκος τρίχινος, καὶ ἡ σελήνη ὅλη ἐγένετο ὡς αἷμα, καὶ οἱ ἀστέρες τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἔπεσαν εἰς τὴν γῆν... καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπεχωρίσθη ὡς βιβλίον ἑλισσόμενον,
There was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became like blood. The stars of the sky fell to the earth... The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up.
Comparative Traditions
Please note: these Bible passages are here for comparison and history only. In Islam, proof comes from the Quran and sahih hadith. Reports taken from earlier scriptures (Isra'iliyyat) are not treated as proof.
The Twelve Parts of the End-Time Tribulation and the Revelation of the Anointed One
Baruch asks God when the end will come, and is shown the division of the last tribulation into twelve epochs: commencement of commotions, slaughter of great ones, death of multitudes, the sending of the sword, famine and withholding of rain, earthquakes and terrors, falling of fire, rapine and oppression, wickedness and unchastity, confusion and mingling of all things, and devastating storms. When these reach their climax, the Anointed One (Messiah) will be revealed, the earth will yield fruit ten-thousandfold, and wild beasts will become peaceful.
ܘܗܟܢܐ ܢܗܘܘܢ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܫܒܛܐ ܗܢܘܢ: ܒܩܕܡܝܐ ܫܘܪܝܐ ܕܕܠܘܚܝܐ... ܒܚܡܝܫܝܐ ܟܦܢܐ ܘܡܬܬܟܠܝܢܘܬܐ ܕܡܛܪܐ... ܒܫܒܝܥܝܐ ܢܦܠܬܐ ܕܢܘܪܐ... ܘܡܐ ܕܫܠܡܘ ܟܠܗܘܢ ܗܠܝܢ: ܢܬܓܠܐ ܡܫܝܚܐ.
And in this manner will the periods of that time be: In the first, the beginning of commotions... in the fifth, famine and the withholding of rain... in the seventh, the falling of fire... and when all these are accomplished, the Anointed One will be revealed.
What scholars have said
Scholars cite it in part, or differ
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalanid. 852 AH (773-852 AH)
Puts many earthquakes among the signs whose beginnings have occurred but which are not yet complete. Many earthquakes had struck lands to the north, east and west, 'but what appears is that their being many means that they become widespread and continuous.'
Fath al-Bari, on Sahih al-Bukhari 7121 (Kitab al-Fitan)
Allamah Shamsuddin Al-Saffarinid. 1188 AH (1114-1188 AH)
Lists it among the signs that appeared, naming the great earthquake at the start of al-Mutawakkil's caliphate in 232 AH that struck Damascus, Antioch and Mosul, where 'it is said fifty thousand died', and adds that very many others followed.
al-Buhur al-Zakhira, ch. 1: distant signs that appeared and passed
Present-day data
These numbers show the world today beside the narration. They do not decide whether the sign has appeared; that is shown only through named scholars, in the Scholars' views tab.
Ibn Hajar says 'many earthquakes' means that they become widespread and continuous. Al-Saffarini names the great earthquake of 232 AH at Damascus, Antioch and Mosul; NOAA's catalogue records the same event (847 CE). The modern instrument record since 1950 does not show more large earthquakes: about 13 of magnitude 7+ strike each year, as before. What has grown is the number of people living where they strike, and the number of small quakes instruments can now detect.
Narrations behind this panel: Sahih al-Bukhari 1036 · Sahih al-Bukhari 7121
- Magnitude 6+
- Magnitude 7+
Show the numbers
| Year | Magnitude 6+ | Magnitude 7+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 123 | 13 |
| 1951 | 135 | 8 |
| 1952 | 166 | 6 |
| 1953 | 128 | 9 |
| 1954 | 109 | 6 |
| 1955 | 128 | 9 |
| 1956 | 109 | 5 |
| 1957 | 175 | 19 |
| 1958 | 119 | 7 |
| 1959 | 106 | 6 |
| 1960 | 136 | 13 |
| 1961 | 104 | 11 |
| 1962 | 98 | 9 |
| 1963 | 129 | 17 |
| 1964 | 144 | 7 |
| 1965 | 131 | 15 |
| 1966 | 109 | 9 |
| 1967 | 113 | 10 |
| 1968 | 159 | 20 |
| 1969 | 144 | 15 |
| 1970 | 152 | 17 |
| 1971 | 143 | 11 |
| 1972 | 132 | 15 |
| 1973 | 93 | 9 |
| 1974 | 97 | 11 |
| 1975 | 106 | 13 |
| 1976 | 109 | 14 |
| 1977 | 85 | 11 |
| 1978 | 90 | 12 |
| 1979 | 86 | 8 |
| 1980 | 95 | 6 |
| 1981 | 83 | 10 |
| 1982 | 87 | 8 |
| 1983 | 136 | 14 |
| 1984 | 133 | 14 |
| 1985 | 160 | 15 |
| 1986 | 138 | 11 |
| 1987 | 166 | 13 |
| 1988 | 122 | 11 |
| 1989 | 137 | 8 |
| 1990 | 153 | 18 |
| 1991 | 137 | 17 |
| 1992 | 178 | 13 |
| 1993 | 148 | 12 |
| 1994 | 158 | 13 |
| 1995 | 200 | 20 |
| 1996 | 164 | 15 |
| 1997 | 136 | 16 |
| 1998 | 121 | 12 |
| 1999 | 135 | 18 |
| 2000 | 160 | 15 |
| 2001 | 137 | 15 |
| 2002 | 139 | 13 |
| 2003 | 154 | 15 |
| 2004 | 157 | 16 |
| 2005 | 150 | 11 |
| 2006 | 153 | 11 |
| 2007 | 196 | 18 |
| 2008 | 179 | 12 |
| 2009 | 160 | 17 |
| 2010 | 174 | 24 |
| 2011 | 207 | 20 |
| 2012 | 133 | 16 |
| 2013 | 142 | 19 |
| 2014 | 155 | 12 |
| 2015 | 146 | 19 |
| 2016 | 147 | 16 |
| 2017 | 110 | 7 |
| 2018 | 134 | 17 |
| 2019 | 145 | 10 |
| 2020 | 121 | 9 |
| 2021 | 157 | 19 |
| 2022 | 127 | 11 |
| 2023 | 147 | 19 |
| 2024 | 99 | 10 |
| 2025 | 145 | 16 |
Source: USGS ANSS Comprehensive Catalog (ComCat), event count API · retrieved 2026-10-27
| Year | Place | Magnitude | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Haiti: Port-Au-Prince | 7 | 316,000 |
| 1976 | China: Ne: Tangshan | 7.5 | 242,769 |
| 1920 | China: Gansu Province, Shanxi Province | 8.3 | 235,502 |
| 2004 | Indonesia: Sumatra: Aceh: Off West Coast | 9.1 | 227,899 |
| 1948 | Turkmenistan: Ashkhabad | 7.2 | 110,000 |
| 1923 | Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama | 7.9 | 105,385 |
| 2008 | China: Sichuan Province | 7.9 | 87,652 |
| 1908 | Italy: Messina, Sicily, Calabria | 7 | 80,000 |
| 2005 | Pakistan: Muzaffarabad, Uri, Anantnag, Baramula | 7.6 | 76,213 |
| 1970 | Peru: Northern, Pisco, Chiclayo | 7.9 | 66,794 |
| 1935 | Pakistan: Quetta | 7.5 | 60,000 |
| 2023 | Turkey: Kahramanmaras; Syria | 7.8 | 56,697 |
Source: NOAA NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database · retrieved 2026-10-27
| Year (CE) | Place | Deaths (recorded) |
|---|---|---|
| 1139 | Azerbaijan: Gyzndzha | 230,000 |
| 856 | Iran: Damghan, Qumis | 200,000 |
| 1157 | Syria: Halab (Aleppo) | 80,000 |
| 1169 | Syria: Halab (Aleppo),Dimashq (Damascus) | 80,000 |
| 1667 | Azerbaijan: Shemakha (Samaxi) | 80,000 |
| 1727 | Iran: Tabriz | 77,000 |
| 847 | Iraq: Al-Mawsil | 70,000 |
| 1033 | Israel: Ramala, Gaza, Nablus; Egypt | 70,000 |
| 1101 | Iran: Khorasan | 60,000 |
| 1598 | Turkey: Amasya, Corum | 60,000 |
| 844 | Syria: Dimashq (Damascus); Turkey: Antakya | 50,000 |
| 845 | Iraq: Al-Mawsil | 50,000 |
| 1042 | Iran: Tabriz | 50,000 |
| 1780 | Iran: Tabriz | 50,000 |
Old death tolls come from chronicles and are often rounded or uncertain.
Source: NOAA NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database · retrieved 2026-10-27
Read with care
- USGS: The catalogued number of detected earthquakes has grown because seismograph networks have expanded globally, not because the frequency of major earthquakes has increased. Major earthquakes remain statistically stable.
Draft: figures and wording await a researcher's check and the scholar board.