An Islamic View of Gog Magog in the Modern World
METHODOLOGY OF STUDY
“The conformability however, signifies in the estimation of the best Qur’anic authorities, not only uniformity of teaching but also the principle that all the verses of the holy book are inter-related as parts of an intelligible system whereby the existence of a system of meaning in the Holy Qur’an is positively established, as also the technique of the exposition of that system.”
(Ansari, FR: ‘Qur’anic Foundations and Structure of Muslim Society’, Volume 1, p. 192)
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) declared that ‘the rising of the sun from the west’ would be one of the ‘Signs’ of the ‘Last Day’ (Sahih Muslim). This ‘Sign’ poses a number of questions such as:
• Is the ‘sun’ that would one day rise from the west be the same one always rising from the east, or would it be another sun?
• Would the sun literally rise from the west one day or is this a case of religious symbolism that must be interpreted?
• Would the perception of the sun rising from the west constitute an optical illusion?
• Can the ‘Sign’ of the sun rising from the West have more than one application all of which would be correct? For example, can it be explained symbolically as a false Western sunrise as suggested by this writer, as well as an actual Western sunrise to occur at that time when the material universe would be transformed into ghair al-ard or a different earth (Qur’an, Ibrahim, 14:48)?
We hasten to dismiss any interpretation of the prophecy requiring recognition of a ‘sun’ other than the ‘sun’ described in the Qur’an. Such would constitute deception. For the same reason we dismiss the theory of an optical illusion as a possible fulfillment of the prophecy.
The Qur’an has declared that the ‘sun’ rises from the East (al Baqarah, 2:258) and that is daily confirmed by visual observation even from here in our native Caribbean island of Trinidad where this book is being written. The ‘sun’ to which it refers is of course, the one which we see daily in the sky. The Qur’an has also declared (Rum, 30:30) that Allah’s creation does not change, implying that the ‘sun’ must always rise from the east and can never literally rise from the West.
Abraham (‘alaihi al-Salam) disputed with a king concerning the worship of the One God and challenged him as follows: “It is my God who causes the sun to rise from the east. You cause it to rise from the west!” Here is the passage in the Qur’an:
“Are you not aware of that (king) who argued with Abraham about his Lord-God, (simply) because Allah had granted him kingship? Lo! Abraham said: "My Lord-God is He who grants life and deals death."(The king) replied: "I (too) grant life and deal death!" Said Abraham: "Verily, Allah (Most High) causes the sun to rise in the east; cause it then to rise in the west!" Thereupon he who was bent on denying the truth remained dumbfounded: for Allah (Most High) does not guide people who (deliberately) do wrong.” (Qur’an, al-Baqarah, 2:258)
Despite this clear declaration from the Qur’an that:
- Allah causes the sun to rise from the East, and
- Allah’s creation does not change,
there is a Hadith with a declaration generally interpreted to the effect that the ‘sun’ (i.e. the one that the Qur’an refers to as the ‘sun’) would one day literally rise from the West, and it is generally assumed that the Western sunrise referred to in the Hadith would be the same as that which would be a ‘Sign of the Last Hour’ prophesied by Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alahi wa sallam):
Narrated Abu Dharr: I entered the Masjid while Allah's Messenger was sitting there. When the sun had set, the Prophet said, "O Abu Dharr! Do you know where this (sun) goes?" I said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said, "It goes and asks permission to prostrate, and it is allowed, and (one day) it, as if being ordered to return whence it came, then it will rise from the west." Then the Prophet recited, "And the sun runs on its fixed course (for a term decreed)," (36.38) as it is recited by 'Abdullah. (Sahih Bukhari)
The Qur’an sits in judgement on the hadith and not vice-versa
Our first methodological response to the above is to recognize at least the appearance of a conflict, if not an actual conflict, between the Qur’an and a literal interpretation of the Hadith to the effect that a western sunrise would occur prior to the return of Jesus (‘alaihi al-Salam), and to respond to such conflict by holding firmly to the Qur’an in preference to such a misinterpretation of the Hadith. This methodology, which was articulated by Islamic scholar, Maulana Dr Ansari, recognizes that “it is the function of the Qur’an to sit in judgement on the hadith and not vice-versa” (Qur’anic Foundations and Structure of Muslim Society Volume 1, p xxiv).
We accept that a Western sunrise as described in the Hadith can occur at the time of the end of the world since Allah Most High has declared that a Tabdil or change in the Samawat and Earth would take place at that time (Qur’an, Ibrahim, 14:48). However a literal Western sunrise occurring at the time of the end of the world would have no relevance whatsoever to the end of history – the key to which is located in the return of Jesus (‘alaihi alSalam) (See next chapter for difference between the ‘end of the world’ and the ‘end of history’). Hence such a possible literal Western sunrise cannot function as one of the ten major Signs of the Last Hour. Secondly such a literal Western sunrise would be possible only at that time of Tabdil or change of the Samawat and Earth mentioned above, and cannot occur before that event because of the declaration in the Qur’an that Allah’s creation does not change!
We consequently recognize the Sign of ‘the sun rising from the west’ to be allegorical in nature and we insist that it has to be interpreted. We recognize the emergence and triumph of modern Western secular civilization with its scientific and technological revolution and its ever-increasing dominance over the whole world, to symbolize that (false) Western sunrise that is a major ‘Sign of the Last Hour’. And Allah Knows best!
If there is allegory in the ‘sun rising from the west’ it follows that other ‘Signs of the Last Hour’ as well can be allegorical, hence we need a methodology with which to interpret such allegory in the Qur’an and Ahadith.
The Qur’an has described its verses to be comprised of Muhkamat and Mutashabihat:
“He it is who has sent the Book (i.e. the Qur’an) down upon thee (O Muhammad), containing verses that are muhkamat - and these are the essence of the Book – as well as others that are mutashabihat. Now those whose hearts are given to swerving from the truth go after that part of the Book which has been expressed in tashabbuh (allegory) seeking a (mis)interpretation of their meaning that sows confusion and discord. But none save Allah, as well as those who are deeply rooted in knowledge, know the interpretation (of such mutashabihat verses). They (i.e. the learned scholars) say: "We have faith in it; the whole (i.e, both the muhkamat and mutashabihat verses) are from our Lord-God”. But none takes this to heart save those who are endowed with insight." (Qur’an, Ale ‘Imran, 3:7)
There are those who have arbitrarily inserted a waqf lazim (i.e. a mark of punctuation equivalent to a full-stop) after the word ‘Allah’ in the text of the above passage. As a consequence of this arbitrary punctuation they understand the verse to declare that ‘only’ Allah, and no one else beside Him, knows the meaning of the mutashabihat verses of the blessed Qur’an. While this is undoubtedly true of verses such as those that refer to the moment when the world would end, etc., which no one knows but Allah, there are other verses whose interpretation by the learned scholars is both possible and permitted. In the case of such verses the insertion of waqf lazim punctuation would be wrong.
What could possibly have been the divine intent for the revelation of verses in the blessed Qur’an which are mutashabihat? Our view, and Allah Knows best, is that divine wisdom and grace would so continuously manifest itself that believers would be capable of distinguishing between learned scholars who correctly interpret such verses and others such as the misguided Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who create Fitnah with their misinterpretations of such verses of the blessed Qur’an. Thus the continuous correct interpretation of the blessed Qur’an by learned scholars would not only be a sign of divine grace but would also assist believers in recognizing and avoiding false sects.
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