Names of the Day of Judgment

The Day of Judgment was given many names because it is important. In the Arabic language, even in other languages, something is given many names if it is important. For example, in the Arabic language, there are many names given to the horse – by species, colours and even just horse. Similarly, in English there are so many different names for alcohol. Why? Because it’s important to them. In Pre-Islamic Arabic, khamr (alcohol) had 80 names; it was important to them as well.

Because the Day of Judgment is so important to us as Muslims, it has many names. These names are descriptions of what will happen on the Day of Judgment. Some of the names of the Day of Judgment are follows.

1. Al-Qiyaamah

This is the most common name. It comes from qiyaam. Qiyaam means standing up. So the Day of Judgment is the standing day. “The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds.” (83:6) You’re not sitting up or lying down; you’re standing for 50,000 years.

Allah also says: “Allah – there is no deity except Him. He will surely assemble you for [account on] the Day of Resurrection [Yawm al-Qiyaamah], about which there is no doubt. And who is more truthful than Allah in statement.” (4:87)

2. Al-Aakhirah

This is the second most commonly used name. Al-yawm al-aakhir means the last day. There is no day after that; it would be the last day in this world.

Allah says: “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day [al-yawm al-aakhir], the angels, the Book, and the prophets [...]” (2:177)

3. As-Saa’a

As-saa’a means “the moment.” It is THE moment; the most important moment.

 AlQurtubi says, “In Arabic, if as-saa’a is unqualified, means an unspecified amount of time. It could specifically mean the hour, one part of the twenty four parts of the day.” So it could also be translated as “the hour.” AlQurtubi then says, “As-saa’a with alif and laam (‘al’) would mean ‘this moment.’” So he’s saying that the Hour was given this name because it is so close that it is almost this moment.

The second interpretation is that it is called the moment because it is the most important moment, when the most important events would occur.

Or, it could be called “the moment” because it suddenly comes in a moment.

These are the three interpretations given by AlQurtubi.

Allah says: “O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour [as-saa’a] is a terrible thing.” (22:1)

4. Yawm Al-Ba’ath

Yawm al-ba’ath means the day of resurrection. It is given that name because that is when we will be given a new life, and our bodies are going to be created again. It is going to be a second creation.

Allah says: “O People, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection [al-ba’ath], then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust [...]” (22:5)

5. Yawm Al-Khurooj

Al-khurooj means emergence. It is called the day of emergence, because that is when we will emerge from our graves.

Allah says: “The Day they will hear the blast [of the Horn] in truth. That is the Day of Emergence [from the graves] [yawm al-khurooj].” (50:42)

6. Al-Qaari’ah

This can be translated as “the calamity.” It is something that hits the hearts.

Allah says: “The Striking Calamity [al-qaari’ah]- What is the Striking Calamity? And what can make you know what is the Striking Calamity?” (101:1-3)

7. Yawm al-Fasl

Yawm al-fasl means the Day of Judgment. Al-Fasl is when all disputes will be solved. That is when Allah will judge between humanity – in everything they did or said.

Allah says: “This is the Day of Judgement; We will have assembled you and the former peoples.” (77:38)

8. Yawm al-Hasra

Yawm al-hasra means the day of regret. There is a lot of regret that happens on the Day of Judgment. Al-kuffaar regret that they were not Muslim and the Muslims regret that they didn’t do better.

Allah says: “And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, ‘Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.’” (25:27) The regret of the non believers and how they will bite – not their nails – but their hands that day.

Allah also says: “And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Day of Regret [yawm al-hasrati], when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness and they do not believe.” (19:39)

9. Yawm al-Hisaab

Yawm al-hisaab means the day of account.

Allah says: “But Moses said, ‘Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account [yawm al-hisaab]’.” (40:27) Everything will be bought forth that day – even a single grain. Nothing will be hidden that day.

10. Al-Waaqiyah

Al-waaqiyah means the event, or the occurrence. It is the most important event.

11. Al-Haaqqah

Al-haaqqah means the inevitable truth or reality. If you think that this is real, it is al-haaqqah.

Allah says: “The Inevitable Reality – What is the Reality? And what will make you know what the Reality is?” (69:1-3)

12. Yawm al-Talaaq

Yawm al-talaaq means the day of meeting or the Meeting Day.

Allah says: “[He is] the Exalted above [all] degrees, Owner of the Throne; He places the inspiration of His command upon whom He wills of His servants to warn of the Day of Meeting [yawm al-talaaq].” (40:15)

Ibn Kathir says: Ibn ‘Abbaas said it is called the day of meeting because that is the day when Adam will meet with his last child. All of the children of Adam will meet that day.

AlQataadah and as-Suddi say: that is when the creation of the earth will meet with the creation of the heavens and the Creator will meet with the creation.

And Maymoon ibn Mahraan says: that is when the oppressor will meet with the oppressed.

13. Yawm al-tanaad

Yawm al-tanaad means the day of calling. Allah says: “And O my people, indeed I fear for you the Day of Calling [yawm al-tanaad].” (40:32) It’s given that name because there is so much calling going on – first of all, every one of you will be called forth; the oppressed will be calling the oppressors and the worshippers will be calling the ones they worshipped.

One of the most important things that happens on the day of judgment is the hisaab. There are stages on that day. In the beginning, there is the changing of the universe. Then there is the assembly – hashr. And then you have the shafaa’a – intercession. After that is al-hisaab, which is the most important and prominent part of the Day of Judgment. That is what the Day of Judgment is for; to examine the accounts of people and to send them to jannah or naar.

Allah says: “And they will be presented before your Lord in rows [...]” (18:48)