The Quran does not explicitly discuss humanity willingly choosing extinction, but it does emphasize the temporary nature of life on Earth and the eventual end of human existence as part of God’s divine plan. According to Islamic teachings, all of creation, including humanity, is ultimately subject to Allah’s will, and life on Earth will conclude on the Day of Judgment.
Key Quranic Perspectives on the End of Human Life
1. Divine Plan and Purpose: The Quran states that humans were created to worship Allah and live righteously (Quran 51:56). The end of humanity is not seen as a result of human decisions but as part of a divine plan where humanity will be judged for their deeds.
2. Signs of the Last Hour: The Quran describes signs of the Day of Judgment (Quran 75:6-12), when the world will undergo dramatic changes and all humans will be resurrected for judgment. This "Last Hour" is presented as an inevitable event that no one can prevent or alter (Quran 7:187).
3. Human Self-Destruction: While the Quran acknowledges that humans can engage in harmful actions, including injustice and corruption (Quran 30:41), it does not suggest that humanity as a whole will willingly choose extinction. Instead, these acts of wrongdoing lead to personal and societal consequences, serving as warnings rather than leading to global extinction.
Insights from Islamic Tradition
Islamic eschatology, through hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), provides more detailed descriptions of the end times, but these do not indicate that humans will willingly bring about their extinction. Instead, humanity will continue to exist until God decides to bring about the end.
In summary, the Quran and Islamic teachings portray the end of humanity as a divinely ordained event, not something that humanity will choose for itself. The emphasis is on living a righteous life and preparing for the eventual, inevitable end as part of God’s plan.
In Islamic tradition, the hadith literature provides detailed descriptions of events preceding the Day of Judgment, referred to as the "signs of the Hour." These signs are divided into minor and major categories, highlighting moral decay, natural events, and supernatural occurrences. These signs suggest that humanity will not willingly bring about its extinction; instead, these events will unfold as part of God’s divine plan. Below is a summary of what hadith sources say about the end times.
Minor Signs of the Hour
The Prophet Muhammad described several minor signs that would occur before the Day of Judgment. These signs indicate a gradual moral and societal decline:
1. Moral Decay and Loss of Knowledge: It is said that knowledge will decrease, and people will increasingly stray from righteousness (Sahih Bukhari 80:5). People will ignore religious guidance, and moral values will decline.
2. Widespread Injustice and Corruption: There will be an increase in injustice, dishonesty, and greed (Sahih Muslim 157). Leaders will become oppressive, and wealth will be hoarded by the few.
3. Disobedience to Parents and Breakdown of Family Bonds: A breakdown of family structures and values will occur, with children disobeying their parents, and people will prioritize friends over family (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2209).
4. Natural Disasters and Calamities: Earthquakes, famine, and other natural calamities will increase in frequency as humanity drifts further from God (Sahih Bukhari 1036).
Major Signs of the Hour
The major signs are dramatic events that signal the imminence of the Day of Judgment. According to hadith, these events will happen shortly before the final destruction of the world:
1. Appearance of the Mahdi: The Mahdi, a righteous leader, will emerge to restore justice and faith. His arrival marks the beginning of the major signs (Sunan Ibn Majah 4085).
2. Return of Prophet Isa (Jesus): Prophet Isa will descend to Earth, leading the faithful and defeating the false messiah (the Dajjal) (Sahih Muslim 2937). He will establish a period of peace and restore true worship.
3. The Appearance of the Dajjal (Antichrist): The Dajjal, a false messianic figure, will deceive many and spread corruption. His arrival will be a major test of faith for humanity (Sahih Muslim 2937).
4. The Emergence of Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog): These two powerful, corrupting tribes will break through a barrier and spread chaos across the world (Sahih Muslim 2937). Their emergence signifies the near end of human life on Earth.
5. The Rising of the Sun from the West: A supernatural sign where the sun will rise from the west instead of the east, symbolizing that repentance will no longer be accepted (Sahih Bukhari 3199).
6. The Beast of the Earth: A creature will emerge, speaking to humanity and marking people as believers or disbelievers (Quran 27:82; Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3186).
7. Three Major Earthquakes: Massive earthquakes will occur, one in the east, one in the west, and one in the Arabian Peninsula, further destabilizing the world (Sahih Muslim 2901).
8. The Great Fire: A fire will erupt in Yemen, driving people toward their place of gathering for judgment (Sahih Muslim 2901).
Final Destruction of the World
According to hadith, the end of the world will culminate in a final trumpet blast sounded by the angel Israfil, at which point all life will cease. This marks the final act of destruction before the resurrection for the Day of Judgment (Sahih Muslim 2940).
Summary
The hadiths suggest that humanity's end is not a result of collective human will but rather a series of divinely predetermined events signaling the Day of Judgment. These events serve as reminders and trials, allowing humans to repent and turn back to God before the final end.
