Author: Dr Muhammad Saad Saleem

Gog and Magog

Gog and Magog are nations mentioned in the Bible, the Qur’an, and the Hadith. In the Qur’an, the release of Gog and Magog is described as a sign of the Day of Judgment.

The History of Gog and Magog

Mention of Gog and Magog in the Old Testament

In the Book of Genesis, Magog is described as a descendant of Japheth, the son of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him).1 Japheth’s progeny is traditionally associated with the “white nations,” who were spread across the northern regions of the Middle East, such as Anatolia, the areas near the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, Central Asia, and Europe.

Prophet Ezekiel (peace be upon him), a prophet of Allah, gave a message of hope to the exiled Israelites in Babylon after the destruction of the First Jewish Temple in 586 BCE. He prophesied that Allah would grant the Israelites a decisive victory over a multinational army led by a figure named Gog from the land of Magog.2 Gog, “the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal,” leads an alliance from the “far north.”3,4 Historical and geographical traditions often associate these regions with areas near the Black Sea.

The prophecy of Prophet Ezekiel (peace be upon him) corresponds to the events of the time when the Seleucid Greek king Antiochus IV desecrated the Second Jewish Temple in 167 BCE. This event led to the Maccabean revolt of the Jews, which resulted in the restoration of the Temple.5 Jews commemorate these events as the festival of Hanukkah. The Israelites regained war spoils, important fortresses, and cities from the Seleucid forces, reflecting the divine intervention and victory for Israel seen in Prophet Ezekiel’s dream (peace be upon him).

Historical records indicate that tribes from Central Asia and the Black Sea regions, renowned for their excellent cavalry skills, had been recruited as mercenary soldiers by various empires. The Seleucid Empire of the Greeks, which recruited soldiers from its territories, especially Anatolia and neighbouring northern regions, followed this practice. The multinational army led by Gog can be seen in Judea under the Seleucid Empire. The role of Gog in the dream of Prophet Ezekiel (peace be upon him) corresponds to the rise of warrior groups from Central Asia and Iran, who became allies or mercenaries of the Seleucid forces from the mid-third century BCE. These regions became the military base of the Seleucid forces and played a significant role in their campaigns and regional dominance.6

Traditional interpretations generally associate the prophecies in the Book of Daniel with the Maccabean revolt, rather than with the Book of Ezekiel. However, a closer examination suggests that both books may be referring to the same event, albeit from different perspectives. Table 1, which compares the prophetic narratives of Prophet Ezekiel (peace be upon him) and Prophet Daniel (peace be upon him), highlights their complementary perspectives on the Seleucid-Israelite conflict. Prophet Ezekiel (peace be upon him) offers hope for the Israelites. He proclaims God’s direct intervention to deliver Israel from a powerful coalition, showcasing divine sovereignty. Conversely, Prophet Daniel (peace be upon him) prepares the Israelites for resilience, focusing on impending trials, including the rise of empires symbolised as beasts. Prophet Daniel (peace be upon him) emphasises spiritual endurance in facing challenges and avoiding God’s wrath. Their messages combine hope with preparation, addressing divine deliverance and human resilience.

Table 1: Prophecies in the Books of Ezekiel and Daniel Foretelling Israel’s Victory Over the Seleucids During the Maccabean Revolt in which Gog Leads Mercenaries against Israel (167–160 BCE)

Mention of Gog and Magog in the Qur’an

In Surah Al-Kahf, the Qur’an mentions Gog and Magog, known for spreading corruption.7 Dhu al-Qarnayn constructs a wall against them to prevent their mischief. Dhu al-Qarnayn is associated with Cyrus the Great, the leader of the Achaemenid Empire of Iran, because in the dream of Prophet Daniel (peace be upon him), the Achaemenid Empire is depicted as a ram with two horns—these two horns represent the Persian and Median peoples within the empire.8 Like other historical walls, this one was also broken down and was likely built in the Caucasus mountain range—the same region that historically served as a natural barrier between the northern tribes of Central Asia and the civilised world of the Middle East.9

Israelite traditions detail the story of Dhu al-Qarnayn, but these accounts associate Dhu al-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great.10 Historians have objected to this association, as the walls built in the Caucasus, which are mentioned in Israelite traditions, were, in fact, constructed during the era of the Achaemenid Empire, before the time of Alexander the Great.

In the Old Testament, the concept of “Gog from the land of Magog” has been transformed into the collective mention of “Gog and Magog “ in the New Testament and the Qur’an. Over time, Gog’s role or title became linked with the larger population of Magog, resulting in “Gog and Magog” referring to specific nations from the North engaging in corruption and aggression.

Mention of Gog and Magog in Historical Records

The first-century Jewish historian Josephus associated Magog with the Scythian tribes, a nomadic group settled in the northern regions of the Black Sea.11 Figure 3 presents an estimated map synthesising biblical genealogy (primarily Genesis 10), classical historical accounts, rabbinic commentaries, and modern interpretations. It is reasonable to assume that the descendants of Magog gradually spread across Europe, extending beyond their initial settlements near the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, influencing the regions they traversed.

Similarly, the twelfth-century Muslim geographer al-Idrisi linked Gog and Magog to the North of the Caspian Sea as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3: A map showing an estimated distribution of the descendants of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) according to the Table of Nations in Genesis 10. The descendants of Japheth are shown in red, with the region of ‘Magog’ shown in the top right corner just beyond the Caucasus Mountain range.12

Figure 4: Al-Idrisi’s World Map from the twelfth century – Gog and Magog are shown at the bottom left corner, north of the Caspian Sea13

The Emergence of Gog and Magog – European Colonial Domination

The Emergence of Gog and Magog in the New Testament

The Book of Revelation states that a thousand years after the coming of the “Truthful” and the “Trustworthy,” Gog and Magog will be deceived by Satan and will gather from the four corners of the earth to prepare for war. They will spread across the land and lay siege to the “camp of the saints” and the “beloved city.”14

The titles “Truthful” and “Trustworthy” (Sadiq and Amin) are widely recognised as referring to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—titles he was known by even before prophethood.15 Based on this, the period “a thousand years later” corresponds to the 17th century CE, the time when European powers, particularly from northern and western Europe, had expanded across the “four corners of the earth”—to the Americas, Africa, China, India, and Indonesia.

Satan’s deception of Gog and Magog in the 17th century symbolised the practical and ideological shift that turned these European nations from explorers and traders into full-fledged colonial powers, marking the transition from the age of discovery to the age of empires. The deception reflected the rise of greed, pride, and the pursuit of power among them.

In the Book of Revelation, the “camp of the saints” refers symbolically to Medina, while the “beloved city” represents Makkah.16 Historically, after World War I, the regions surrounding these two holy cities came under European colonial influence, including:

·         British occupation: Jordan, Iraq, Gulf coastal areas (now the UAE)

·         British mandate: Palestine

·         British influence: Aden (Yemen)

·         French control: North Africa, Syria, and Lebanon

Lineage of Northern and Western Europe

The lineage of Northern and Western Europe is connected to the Yamnaya culture (3300–2500 BCE), which emerged from the steppes near the Caspian Sea and was possibly descended from Japheth, the son of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him). This culture formed the foundation of Indo-European-speaking groups, who spread their genetic and cultural influence across Europe, Central Asia, and Anatolia.

Among these Indo-European-speaking groups, the Germanic tribes played a fundamental role in shaping the cultural, political, and ethnic landscape of Europe, especially during their Migration Period (approximately 300–800 CE). Historical evidence indicates that some segments of the Scythian people, such as the Alans and Sarmatian inhabitants, also joined with the Germanic tribes. The prominent Germanic tribes are mentioned below:17

·         Saxons, Angles, Franks: These tribes had a profound impact on the culture and politics of Britain, France, and Germany, especially after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

·         Ostrogoths: Established a kingdom in Italy, but were defeated in the Gothic Wars by the Byzantine Empire.

·         The Visigoths: Attacked Rome in 410 CE and established a kingdom in Iberia, which had a lasting impact on Spanish culture.

·         The Vandals: Migrated to North Africa via the Mediterranean and established a kingdom in Carthage, but also left their mark in France and Iberia.

·         The Vikings: Set out from Scandinavia and played a role in Britain, Eastern Europe, and the formation of the Normans.

These Germanic tribes profoundly impacted European culture, politics, and history, laying the foundation for modern European identity and playing a key role in forming countries such as Britain, France, Spain, Germany, and Scandinavia. Therefore, linking the Germanic tribes of Northern and Western Europe to the descendants of Gog and Magog appears reasonable and acceptable.

The Emergence of Gog and Magog in the Qur’an

Surah Al-Anbiyaʾ mentions the emergence of Gog and Magog before the Day of Judgment.18

The departure of northern and western nations from Europe—that is, their “emergence”—occurred in various waves. Edicts such as the Doctrine of Discovery and the Papal Bull “Inter Caetera” issued in 1493 falsely granted divine approval to Spanish and Portuguese expansion, following which Vasco da Gama set out for India in 1497.19

Table 2 lists major European colonial powers and their respective territories of influence associated with Northern and Western Europe. This list highlights these nations’ global dominance and the extent of their colonial expansion worldwide.

Table 2: European Colonisers and their Colonies

The Emergence of Gog and Magog in Hadith

The story of Dhu al-Qarnayn is presented in the Qur’an as a real event, but the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) described the release of Gog and Magog symbolically in connection with this event. In one Hadith, he (peace be upon him) considered the widening of a hole in the wall as a sign of their imminent emergence.20

The Clash between Gog and Magog – The Confrontation of European Nations in World War II

The Bible, the Qur’an, and the Hadith describe the events surrounding the final great conflict involving Gog and Magog before the Day of Judgment. This historical parallel can be seen in the scenes of World War II, when European nations attacked from all directions, each striving to dominate the other.

Gog and Magog’s Final Battle in the New Testament

In the Book of Revelation, fire sent down from heaven consumes Gog and Magog, describing their destruction.21 This fire symbolises the great conflict of Gog and Magog, interpreted as World War II. Their being consumed by it represents the decisive defeat of Nazi Germany, serving as a symbolic fulfillment of that prophecy.

Conflict between Gog and Magog in the Qur’an

In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah mentions a day when Gog and Magog will be “surging against each other like waves,” and the Trumpet will be blown.22 The Qur’an always describes time according to its context. For example, in Surah al-Aʿraf, Allah states that the heavens and the earth were created in six days, where “day” refers to a complete era or period.23 According to this principle, the “day” of the conflict between Gog and Magog signifies the final era of global events.

In Surah Al-Anbiyaʾ, this conflict is described as Gog and Magog surging forth from every elevated place. Then, the “True Promise “ is mentioned, referring to the approach of the Day of Judgment.24 This resembles a powerful army descending rapidly from high ground upon its enemy, symbolising their aggression, speed, and overwhelming military force.

The description in Surah Al-Kahf closely resembles the broader context of World War II, when European nations—representing Gog and Magog—were crashing into one another like waves of the sea. Meanwhile, Surah Al-Anbiyaʾ appears to refer more specifically to Nazi Germany’s swift early assaults at the outset of the war.

Events of Gog and Magog in the Hadith

The events related to Gog and Magog in the Hadith correspond to the Second World War:

Gog and Magog attacking from every elevation – the invasion by Nazi Germanyt

The Hadith describes the onset of the final great battle involving Gog and Magog with the Qur’anic phrase from Surah Al-Anbiyaʾ, “swarming down from every hill.” However, whereas the Qur’an uses the word futihat (“they will be opened”),25 the Hadith substitutes it with yabʿathullah (“Allah will send them”).26  This change indicates that while the initial release of Gog and Magog (for example, during the colonial era) had already occurred, Allah sent them for the final and decisive battle.

In this context, this statement refers to the rapid, aggressive, and large-scale territorial expansion carried out by a faction of Gog and Magog, namely Nazi Germany, at the onset of the Second World War. The Nazis’ military power and fast and decisive strategies enabled them to achieve victories in various parts of Europe in the initial stages. This was like an invader descending from a high place with great speed and devastating the opponents.

Gog and Magog drinking the water of Lake Tiberias – Nazi Germany exploiting the resources of other Christian nationst

In the Hadith, Gog and Magog are mentioned as drinking the water of Lake Tiberias.27 Lake Tiberias, also known as the Sea of Galilee, was an important source of fresh water for the Byzantine Christians during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Symbolically, it represents the significant resources that the Nazis exploited in the lands of the Christian followers. These resources included oil, food, and industrial materials. The heavy demand for these resources emptied the occupied territories and, as the war intensified, also put pressure on Germany.

Gog and Magog reaching Jerusalem and shooting arrows towards the sky – The Nazi attack on Judaism and Christianity

The Hadith mentions Gog and Magog approaching Jerusalem, when they will say: “We have killed the inhabitants of the earth, now we will kill those in the heavens.” They will shoot arrows towards the sky, which will return drenched in blood.28

At the beginning of the Second World War, the unexpected successes of Nazi Germany led to increased arrogance among its rulers. The coming of “blood-stained arrows” from the sky symbolises an attack on religion by force in Germany. Jerusalem, which is sacred to both Judaism and Christianity, was specifically targeted by the Nazis, as follows:

·         Priests and scholars were arrested or killed

·         Jewish synagogues were destroyed

·         Millions of Jews were killed in the Holocaust

·         Christian Jehovah’s Witnesses were imprisoned or killed

·         Churches were closed or brought under government control

·         Nazi-opposing Christians were killed

Furthermore, the Nazi leadership, especially Heinrich Himmler, presented Hitler as a messianic figure and created a new ideological religion based on German racial superiority and mystical beliefs. The Nazis promoted Nietzsche’s philosophy of “God is dead” and sought to establish their ideological government by eliminating traditional religions, which was a sign of their growing power and confidence.

Death of Gog and Magog – Defeat of Nazi Germany

In the Hadith, it is mentioned that Allah will send a worm that will attack the necks of Gog and Magog, and they will all die as if with a single soul.29 This metaphor describes the downfall of Nazi Germany.

Here, the expression “worms in the necks” symbolises the sudden suicide committed by Hitler in April 1945—just as the attack of worms on the necks of Gog and Magog severed the vein of their power and authority. Immediately after Hitler’s death, the Nazi government surrendered unconditionally within a few days, in May 1945—exactly as depicted in the Hadith, where when worms attack the necks of Gog and Magog, they suddenly die.

Questions about the Interpretation

Parallel Narratives of Dajjal and Gog and Magog

In Sahih Muslim, the events of the Dajjal are mentioned first, followed by the events of Gog and Magog.30 This sequence may give the impression that the Dajjal’s death occurs before the attacks of Gog and Magog. However, in reality, both events occurred simultaneously, as is common in parallel narratives, where one subject is completed before moving to another parallel subject—even if both events historically took place in the same era.

In this context, the Dajjal refers to the Soviet Union, which was established in 1922 and dissolved in 1991; while Gog and Magog refer to Nazi Germany, which launched deadly attacks during World War II from 1939 to 1945. Since the emergence of the Soviet Union preceded Nazi Germany, the Hadith mentions and concludes its account first, while the events of Gog and Magog are detailed afterwards—as is generally the case in parallel narratives.

Furthermore, according to the Hadith, after the death of the Dajjal, there will be a seven-year period of peace, at the end of which cool winds will blow and seize the soul of every person with even the slightest trace of faith in their heart.31 If one assumes that the trial of Gog and Magog occurred after the death of Dajjal, and that these winds came afterwards, it would imply that their immense corruption took place during this peaceful seven-year period — which is completely contradictory to the very concept of a peaceful era. This contradiction indicates that the emergence of Gog and Magog occurred parallel to the trial of the Dajjal — meaning both events unfolded during the same historical period. The Hadith’s mention of Gog and Magog after the Dajjal is merely a matter of narrative style and sequencing for the sake of detail, not a reflection of chronological order.

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1. Genesis 15:18–20 (King James Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.15.18-20.KJV.

2. Ezekiel 38:2–3 (New International Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EZK.38.2-3.NIV.

3. Ezekiel 39:2 (New International Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EZK.39.2.NIV.

4. Ezekiel 38:15 (New International Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EZK.38.15.NIV.

5. The “Abomination of Desolation” is a term derived from biblical prophecy, particularly in the Book of Daniel. It refers to the event in 167 BCE when an altar to the Greek god Zeus was set up in the Jewish Temple, and pigs — considered unclean in Jewish law — were sacrificed on it, thereby desecrating the holy place and rendering it desolate.

6. Rolf Strootman, “The Seleukid Empire,” in The Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek World, ed. Rachel Mairs, Routledge Worlds (London and New York: Routledge, 2021), 11–37.

7. Quran 18:93–98, Quran.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://quran.com/18/93-98.

8. Daniel 8 (New International Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/DAN.8.NIV.

9. “Darial Gorge,” Wikipedia, last modified May 17, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darial_Gorge.

10. Steven B. Bowman, trans. and intro., Sepher Yosippon: A Tenth-Century History of Ancient Israel (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2022).

11. Emil G. Hirsch and Mary W. Montgomery, “Magog,” in The Jewish Encyclopedia, ed. Isidore Singer, vol. 8 (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1904), 513–514.

12. Lyman Coleman, Historical Textbook and Atlas of Biblical Geography (1854), map image from Wikipedia, accessed May 17, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japheth#/media/File:Noahsworld_map_Version2.png.

13. Al-Idrisi, world map, 12th century, image accessed May 17, 2025, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Al-Idrisi%27s_world_map.JPG.

14. Revelation 20:7–9 (New International Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/REV.20.7-9.NIV.

15. Revelation 19:11 (New International Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/REV.19.11.NIV.

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17. George L. Yapuevich, “Alans and the Sarmatian Nations in Europe,” Academia.edu, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.academia.edu/
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19. “Doctrine of Discovery (1493),” Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.gilderlehrman.org/
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20. Muhammad al-Al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Al-Bukhari 3347, accessed May 17, 2025, https://sunnah.com/al-Bukhari:3347.

21. Revelation 20:7–9 (New International Version), Bible.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://www.bible.com/bible/111/REV.20.7-9.NIV.

22. Quran 18:99, Quran.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://quran.com/18/99.

23. Quran 7:54, Quran.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://quran.com/7/54.

24. Quran 21:96–97, Quran.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://quran.com/21/96-97.

25. Quran 21:96, Quran.com, accessed May 17, 2025, https://quran.com/21/96.

26. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim 2937a, accessed May 17, 2025, https://sunnah.com/muslim:2937a.

27. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim 2937a, accessed May 17, 2025, https://sunnah.com/muslim:2937a.

28. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim 2937b, accessed May 17, 2025, https://sunnah.com/muslim:2937b.

29. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim 2937a, accessed May 17, 2025, https://sunnah.com/muslim:2937a.

30. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim 2937a, accessed May 17, 2025, https://sunnah.com/muslim:2937a.

31. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim 2940a, accessed May 17, 2025, https://sunnah.com/muslim:2940a.