Gog and Magog
Fatwa No: 22215

Question

Who are Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (Gog and Magog) are two tribes who descend from Aadam (Adam) . They are like other humans; they eat, drink, marry, reproduce and die. They are presently behind the barrier which was built by Thul-Qarnayn. Allaah The Almighty told us the story of building such a barrier in Chapter Al-Kahf.

Allaah The Almighty did not tell us where this place is. Therefore we should refrain from indulging in discussing this issue. In the past, some people tried in vain to search for the location of this barrier in several ways mentioned in the books of Tafseer (Quranic exegesis). However, the narrated reports in this regard are not valid for relying on them as evidence on the location of the barrier. In fact, the location of the barrier does not concern us; however, we should believe in its existence; believe that it is on the earth and that these people live behind it. Allaah The Almighty concealed this place from the eyes of the humans for a certain reason that He alone knows. When Allaah The Almighty permits, this barrier will be demolished and those people will emerge. 

And Allaah Knows best.

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