Friday Sermon: Islam Says No to Doomsday Fear, Friday, November 13, 2026

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, the Master of the Day of Judgment, the Creator of everything, who commands justice and goodness and forbids oppression. I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah send blessings and peace upon him. To proceed:

Dear brothers and sisters in faith! Tonight, a 66-year-old story has come back to light, stirring both curiosity and fear: “Doomsday: Friday, November 13, A.D. 2026.” Tomorrow, Friday, November 13, was calculated in a famous 1960 study published in the journal Science by physicist Heinz von Foerster and his team as the exact day when human population growth would reach mathematical infinity and humanity would “squeeze itself to death.”

As Muslims preparing for tomorrow’s Jumu’ah, how should we respond to scientific doomsday predictions and the reality of the Day of Judgment? Let us reflect through the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

1. Only Allah Knows When the Hour Will Come

Science is a wonderful gift from Allah, allowing us to see patterns and study the world. But human models are based on assumptions, while Allah’s knowledge is absolute.

When the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was asked by Angel Jibril about the timing of the Final Hour, he gave a wise answer that humbles any calculation. He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.” [Sahih Muslim]

Allah says in the Qur’an: “They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly.’” [Qur’an, 7:187]

No scientist or computer can set a date for the end of time. The 1960 study assumed growth would continue without change, ignoring that Allah is the one in charge, who can change hearts and manage the universe with wisdom beyond our understanding.

2. Why Islam Rejects “Friday the 13th” Superstition

Look at the date chosen by the researchers: Friday, November 13, a date tied to Western beliefs about bad luck, which also happened to be the lead author’s 115th birthday.

In Islam, there are no unlucky numbers or dates. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) removed superstition, teaching us that numbers and days have no harm or benefit except what Allah wills. More importantly, Friday is a day of honor for Muslims, not fear!

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no day other than Friday.” [Sahih Muslim]

We do not fear Friday because of a 1960 equation. We honor every Friday because Allah has blessed it, and we prepare for the Hour not with fear but with prayer, charity, and remembering Allah (Zikr).

3. The Real Lesson from the 1960 Study: Care for Our World

While the 1960 study’s doomsday prediction failed because global birth rates dropped sharply after the 1960s, its warning still carries an important truth. The scientists wanted to alert humanity to the risks of overconsumption, environmental harm, and limited resources.

Islam has taught this for over 1,400 years. Allah has made us stewards on this Earth, commanding us: “And do not cause corruption upon the earth after its reformation.” [Qur’an, 7:56]

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) also taught us to act responsibly, even if the end of the world were happening right before our eyes. He said: “If the Final Hour comes while you have a palm-cutting in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.” [Musnad of Imam Ahmad]

Think about that Hadith! While alarming headlines cause panic, Islam tells you to plant a seed today. Faith should not freeze you with fear; it should motivate you with purpose.

4. Your Personal Doomsday is More Immediate Than Any Prediction

Beloved brothers and sisters! Let’s ask ourselves a hard question: Why do people worry about when the world will end while forgetting that their own life can end at any moment?

Imam Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say: “O son of Adam! You are nothing but a collection of days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you has gone.”

Yes, tomorrow is Friday, November 13, 2026. The sun will rise, and life will go on by Allah’s mercy. Yet for many people, tomorrow will truly be their last day, their personal Qiyamah, when the angel of death arrives.

When a Bedouin asked the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him): “When is the Hour?” the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked him back: “What have you prepared for it?” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Dear brothers and sisters! Let tomorrow’s Jumu’ah be a day for awakening, not worry. Let’s use science to appreciate Allah’s creation and care for our world, while putting our trust only in Allah’s knowledge.

● Purify your intentions tonight before sleep.

● Send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as Friday approaches.

● Walk to Jumu’ah tomorrow with a heart full of Taqwa, gratitude, and readiness to meet your Lord.

Respected brothers and sisters! The Day of Judgment is real, the Day when Allah will settle all matters and judge everyone.

On that Day, all creation will hear a great call. Do you know who will be calling? It will be Allah!

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “People will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection naked, uncircumcised, and possessing nothing. Then Allah will call out to them: ‘I am the King! I am the Judge! No one among the people of the Fire shall enter the Fire while he has a right owed to him by someone among the people of Paradise, until I have secured that right for him.’”

The Companions asked him: “How will that be, when we will come before Allah, naked, uncircumcised, and possessing nothing?”

He replied: “Through good deeds and bad deeds.” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad].

“Even for a slap!” These words bring hope to the wounded and assure the oppressed that their prayers for justice will be answered. Allah has not forgotten anyone. He says: “Do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them until a Day when eyes will stare in horror.” [Surah Ibrahim: 42, 43]

Allah’s perfect justice will be seen on the Day of Resurrection, restoring every right. Even animals will not escape this justice. You might see two animals fighting, and think it is over. No, it is not. They will be judged on that Day.

Abu Zarr al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) tells us that he was with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) when he saw two sheep butting heads. He asked: “O Abu Zarr, do you know why they are butting heads?”

Abu Zarr replied: “No.”

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “But Allah knows, and He will judge between them.” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad]

What powerful words: “But Allah knows, and He will judge between them.” If Allah will judge between animals, think about what will happen to humans on that Day.

On the Day of Resurrection, everyone will be accountable for their actions, whether with Allah or with others. The first thing a person will be asked about is their prayer, and the first matters to be judged will be cases of bloodshed.

Yes, bloodshed that many have come to ignore, forgetting the value of life, killing innocent people without cause.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “The first matters to be judged between people on the Day of Resurrection will be cases of bloodshed.” [Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The rights of a murdered person will never be lost. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) tells us: “On the Day of Resurrection, the murdered person will come with his killer, holding him by his forelock and head, while blood gushes from the murdered person’s neck. He will say: ‘My Lord, ask this man why he killed me!’” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasaʾi].

Allah will then ask the killer: “Why did you kill him?” He will respond: “So that power and honor would belong to so-and-so.” Allah will say: “But they do not belong to so-and-so.” The killer will then bear the weight of his sin. [Narrated by al-Nasa’ī].

And it does not stop with bloodshed. Every act of injustice will be questioned on that Day. Each person will be asked and will have to repay whatever rights they owe.

Abdullah Ibn Masʿud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, a servant will be taken by the hand before all generations. A caller will announce: ‘This is so-and-so, the son of so-and-so! Whoever has a right against this person, let him come forward!’” [Surah al-Muʾminun: 101].

“The Lord, Blessed and Exalted, will then say to the servant: ‘Give these people their rights.’” [Narrated by al-Tabarī]

But how will rights be restored when this life ends and all wealth disappears? Through good deeds and bad deeds. Everything has value with Allah, and no one’s rights will be lost. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever has wronged his brother regarding his honor or anything else should seek his forgiveness today, before a Day comes when there will be neither dinar nor dirham.” [Narrated by al-Bukhari].

Many will be bankrupt on the Day of Resurrection! They will come with prayers, fasting, and zakah, but also with insults, false accusations, and wrongful acts against others. Their good deeds will be shared with those they wronged. If they run out of good deeds before repaying everything they owe, the sins of those they wronged will be placed upon them, and they will be thrown into the Fire. [Narrated by Muslim].

Does the oppressor think they will escape justice? No, by my Lord! Their actions will lead them into the Fire. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “A man’s record of deeds will be shown to him, and he will think he is saved. But the claims of those he wronged will follow him until he has no good deeds left.” [Narrated by al-Hakim].

In this world, disputes arise. Lives are taken, wealth is seized, and honor is violated. Some criminals escape justice. Some oppressors act as if they are victims. But one thing is certain: their cases are not closed! Another court will be established, and the Judge will be Allah.

The Day of Resurrection will be a day of justice. Allah will judge everyone fairly, regardless of status. There is no bribery or deceit on that Day. Every wrong will be corrected, and even a slap will be accounted for.

We are a nation of justice! Allah commands us to uphold justice and established a religion to ensure fairness. Whoever wants to be saved on the Day of Resurrection must act justly, give people their rights, and restore what has been taken before that Day arrives.

Ya Allah, help us and do not let others succeed against us. Grant us victory and do not let others win over us. Provide for us and protect us from those who harm us.

Ya Allah, grant us safety in our homes, guide our leaders, and place authority in the hands of those who fear You and seek Your pleasure.

Ya Allah, support our oppressed brothers in Nigeria, in Gaza, and everywhere, and grant them relief soon.

Ya Allah, make our best deeds their endings and our best days the day we meet You. Protect us from unfounded fears, grant us useful knowledge, help us care for Your Earth, and admit us into Your Paradise without reckoning. Ameen Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum.

Dear servants of Allah! Remember Allah often and glorify Him in the morning and evening. And our final prayer is: All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds.