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."
Afflictions and the End of the World
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 7059
Textual Analysis
The Prophet's awakening with a flushed face indicates the gravity of the revelation he received. This physical manifestation demonstrates the profound impact of divine communication upon the human form of the Messenger of Allah.
His immediate declaration of Allah's oneness ("None has the right to be worshipped but Allah") serves as both a testimony to divine sovereignty and a spiritual preparation for the grave news to follow.
The Approaching Calamity
The warning "Woe to the Arabs" signifies that the initial devastation will particularly affect the Arabian Peninsula, though its consequences will extend further. The "Great evil" refers to the emergence of Gog and Magog (Ya'juj and Ma'juj), whose containment barrier has been divinely maintained since the time of Dhul-Qarnayn.
Sufyan's illustration of the number 90 or 100 with his fingers indicates the size of the breach in the barrier - a significant opening that allows these corrupt nations to begin their emergence into the world.
Divine Justice and Collective Punishment
The companions' question about the fate of righteous people during widespread destruction reflects their understanding of divine justice. The Prophet's affirmative response establishes the principle that when evil becomes predominant and corruption widespread, divine punishment may encompass entire communities.
This serves as a grave warning that the presence of some righteous individuals does not guarantee protection from collective punishment when society as a whole embraces transgression and fails to enjoin good and forbid evil.
Eschatological Significance
This hadith belongs to the signs of the Hour, specifically the major signs preceding the Day of Judgment. The emergence of Gog and Magog represents one of the definitive indicators of the world's approaching end.
Scholars note that this prophecy has both immediate and gradual fulfillment - with initial breaches occurring throughout history, culminating in their complete emergence as a major sign of the Final Hour.