You complain about standing in line for twenty minutes. You get impatient waiting for your food order. You can’t sit through a lecture without checking your phone. You fidget during a one-hour meeting.
Now imagine, standing for 50,000 years. Not sitting. Not resting. Standing. On the Day of Judgment. Under a sun brought so close, that it will be one mile from your head.
And according to authenticated hadith that should make every Muslim tremble, you’ll sweat. Not normal sweat. Sweat that according to your deeds—your sins, your disobedience, your negligence—will reach different levels on your body. For some it will reach their ankles. For others, according to worsening degrees, their knees. Their waist. Their mouth, based on escalating severity. And for some, they’ll drown in their own sweat.
50,000 Years of Standing
[Surah Al-Ma’arij, Ayah 4]
“The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years.”
Fifty thousand years. That’s the length of the Day of Judgment. Try to comprehend that number. According to documented human history, civilization has only existed for about 10,000 years. The Day of Judgment, according to this verse, will last five times longer than all of recorded human history.
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated, as recorded in Musnad Abi Ya’la (Hadith 6025) and authenticated by Al-Albani: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The people will stand before the Lord of the worlds for the length of half of a day, which is like fifty thousand years. That day will be made easy for the believer like the sun lowering itself until it has set.”
Fifty thousand years for disbelievers. But for believers, according to this same hadith, it will be made easy—like the time from when the sun begins to set until it finishes setting. That’s maybe fifteen to twenty minutes, according to typical sunset duration.
The same event according to divine wisdom. The same Day, based on temporal reality. But experienced completely differently, according to how you lived your life. For the disobedient, according to prophetic warnings, 50,000 years of standing, sweating, suffering. For the obedient, according to divine mercy, a few minutes—then Paradise, as this hadith promises.
Which experience will be yours, based on how you’re living right now? According to your actual deeds—not your intentions or wishes—which category do you fall into?
The Sun One Mile Away
Al-Miqdad رضي الله عنه reported, as recorded in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2864) and documented by scholars: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“On the Day of Resurrection, the sun will come so close to people that there would be left only a distance of one mile.”
One mile. Not millions of miles away like it is now, based on astronomical distance. Not 93 million miles, according to current scientific measurements. One mile—hovering right above your head.
The heat from the sun right now, is from 93 million miles away. You can barely stand outside in summer for an hour. Now imagine the sun at one mile. The heat will be unbearable beyond human comprehension—except for those whom Allah ﷻ protects, as the hadith about believers’ ease indicates.
The Prophet ﷺ said, as recorded in Jami’ at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2421):
“The sun will draw near to them until it is about a mile away from their heads. They will be bridled by their sweat according to their deeds. Among them will be those for whom it reaches their ankles, among them will be those for whom it reaches their knees, among them will be those for whom it reaches their waists, and among them will be those for whom the sweat will rise up to cover their mouths.”
And the Prophet ﷺ, pointed to his mouth while saying this—emphasizing according to scholarly interpretation, that the sweat will literally cover people’s mouths and noses, as this gesture illustrated.
Your Sweat According to Your Deeds
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6532) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2863): The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The people will sweat so profusely on the Day of Resurrection that their sweat will sink seventy cubits deep into the earth, and it will rise up till it reaches the people’s mouths and ears.”
Seventy cubits deep. That’s approximately 105 feet or 32 meters deep, based on cubit-to-meter conversions. The sweat, according to this description, will sink that deep into the ground—then rise back up, based on the overwhelming volume this hadith describes.
But notice something critical according to that first hadith scholars emphasize: “according to their deeds.”
Not everyone will experience the same level, based on divine justice. Not everyone will drown, according to graduated punishment. Your sweat level depends on your deeds—your sins, your obedience, your relationship with Allah ﷻ.
Al-Miqdad’s hadith continues, according to the narration in Sahih Muslim: “The people would be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist, and some will have the bridle of perspiration reaching their mouths.”
To the ankles for some. These are people with fewer sins. People who tried, according to their efforts. Who struggled against their nafs. Who repented when they sinned. Still sinners—but people who had more good than bad, as this relatively light punishment indicates.
To the knees for others, according to escalating severity. More sins, based on the rising level. More negligence, according to what this represents. More disobedience.
To the waist for others. Major sinners. People who lived carelessly. Who prioritized Dunya over Deen.
To the mouth for some. Complete submersion, based on what “reaching their mouths” means. Drowning in their own sweat, as this hadith establishes—for 50,000 years, based on the Day’s length. Because of their sins. Because of how they lived, based on what they actually did.
Where will your sweat reach, according to how you’re living right now? Based on your actual deeds that scholars urge you to assess honestly—your prayers, your character, your sins, your obedience—which level do you think you’ll be at, as this self-examination requires?
The Seven Who Will Have Shade
But there’s hope. There are people who won’t be drowning in sweat. People who won’t be suffering under that scorching sun, according to divine mercy. Seven categories, as explicit prophetic statement establishes, who will be under the shade of Allah’s Throne, based on what this hadith guarantees.
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 660, 6806) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1031): The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Seven are the people whom Allah will give shade on the Day when there would be no shade except His shade: A just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two people who love each other for the sake of Allah—meeting for His sake and parting for His sake; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position, but he says ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives charity in secret such that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent; and a person who remembers Allah in private and his eyes overflow with tears.”
Seven categories, according to this authenticated hadith. Seven types of people, based on their deeds and character. Who according to prophetic promise, will be under Allah’s shade—the only shade on that Day, as the hadith emphasizes.
First: A just ruler. Leaders who ruled with justice. Politicians who didn’t take bribes. Imams who didn’t misuse their authority. Parents who were fair with their children, as household leadership falls under this. Managers who treated employees justly, based on workplace authority. Anyone with power, according to scholarly interpretation, who used it justly—they’ll be shaded, as this hadith promises.
Second: A youth who grew up worshipping Allah. According to this category, young people who didn’t waste their youth on haram. Who prayed when their friends partied. Who lowered their gaze when everyone else stared. Who memorized Quran when others memorized lyrics. That youth will be under the shade.
Are you that youth, based on how you’re spending your young years? Or are you according to typical behavior, wasting it on TikTok, Netflix, haram relationships, music, parties—everything except worship, as scholars lament when observing modern Muslim youth?
Third: A man whose heart is attached to the masjid. According to this description, someone who loves the masjid. Who can’t wait to return to it, based on this attachment. Who prays every Salah there if possible, according to this devotion. Whose heart, according to scholars explaining this hadith, finds peace only in the house of Allah ﷻ.
Is your heart attached to the masjid, based on honest self-assessment? Or according to reality, is it attached to your phone, your bed, your entertainment, as modern attachments reveal?
Fourth: Two people who love each other for Allah’s sake. According to this category, friendships built on Islam. Not on partying together, based on what true Islamic brotherhood rejects. Not on sinning together, according to what this pure love excludes. But loving someone purely for Allah ﷻ, as this hadith specifies—because they help you obey Allah, based on righteous friendship. Because they remind you of Akhirah, according to beneficial companionship. Because being with them brings you closer to Jannah, as Islamic brotherhood functions.
Who are your friends, based on current relationships? According to what they influence you toward—Jannah or Jahannam, as scholars ask when teaching about companionship’s impact—which direction are your friendships taking you?
Fifth: A man who resists beautiful temptation. According to this prophetic description, someone invited to zina by an attractive woman of high status—easy opportunity according to worldly temptation, no one would know based on secrecy, everything lined up according to shaytanic facilitation—but he says according to this hadith: “I fear Allah.”
He could have sinned, based on opportunity. He wanted to, according to natural desire. But he didn’t, based on taqwa. Because according to his priorities documented in this hadith, fearing Allah ﷻ mattered more than fulfilling his desire, as this category demonstrates.
How many times, according to your life history, have you been in situations where you could sin? How many times, based on honest count, did you choose Allah ﷻ over your desires? Or according to reality, do you give in every time, as weak taqwa manifests?
Sixth: A man who gives charity secretly. According to this description, someone whose left hand doesn’t know what the right hand spent. Complete secrecy, based on this emphasis. No social media posts about charity, according to what this excludes. No telling people, based on this hidden nature. No seeking praise, according to what pure sincerity rejects. Just giving for Allah ﷻ alone, as this hadith establishes.
When you give charity, according to your actual practice, who knows about it? If the answer based on your behavior is “everyone”—because you posted it, filmed it, announced it—then according to prophetic warnings about showing off, you might have already received your reward in Dunya through praise, as scholars explain about riya nullifying deeds.
Seventh: A person who remembers Allah in private and cries. According to this final category, someone who sits alone with Allah ﷻ. Who makes dhikr in privacy, based on this description. Who remembers his sins, according to what causes these tears. Who fears Judgment Day, based on this emotional response. And whose eyes, according to this hadith, overflow with tears from fear of Allah ﷻ and longing for His mercy.
When was the last time, according to honest reflection, you cried for Allah ﷻ? When was the last time based on recent memory, you sat alone and wept about your sins? About the Akhirah? About your distance from Allah ﷻ, as scholars ask when teaching about spiritual aliveness?
Or have your eyes, according to what many Muslims experience, become so dry—you cry for movies, for sports, for Dunya problems—but never for Allah ﷻ, as hardened hearts manifest?
Which Group Will You Be In?
On the Day of Judgment there will be two distinct groups:
Group One: Under Allah’s Shade
- The seven categories mentioned, according to that hadith
- Protected from the heat, based on divine mercy
- Not drowning in sweat, according to Allah’s covering
- Standing comfortably, based on prophetic description of ease
- For a short time that feels like minutes, according to that first hadith
- Then straight to Paradise, as their destination
Group Two: Under the Scorching Sun
- Everyone else, according to eschatological reality
- Melting in unbearable heat, based on that one-mile sun
- Drowning in sweat according to their deeds, as multiple hadith establish
- Sweat to ankles, knees, waist, or mouth depending on sins, based on prophetic descriptions
- Standing for what feels like 50,000 years, according to Quranic statement
- In absolute terror and regret, as scholars describe this state
Which group, based on your current life? According to your actual deeds—your prayers, your character, your sins, your priorities—which category do you honestly fall into, as self-assessment requires?
Are you a just leader in your realm of authority, according to the first category? Are you a youth worshipping Allah, based on the second? Is your heart attached to the masjid, according to the third? Do you have true Islamic brotherhood, based on the fourth? Do you resist temptation for Allah’s sake, according to the fifth? Do you give charity secretly, based on the sixth? Do you cry for Allah in private, according to the seventh?
Or according to honest evaluation, are you none of these? Are you, based on actual behavior, someone who will be drowning in sweat? Standing for 50,000 years under that sun? Regretting every prayer you skipped, according to what that moment of realization will bring? Every sin you committed, based on the consequences you’ll face? Every moment you wasted, according to opportunities you’ll mourn losing?
What You Must Do Right Now
If you want to be under that shade—if you want to avoid drowning in your own sweat for 50,000 years—you need to qualify for at least one of those seven categories, based on this hadith’s promise. You need to start now..
Be just in your authority. According to that first category, whatever realm you lead—your home, your workplace, your community—rule with justice. Don’t favor one child over another. Don’t cheat employees. Don’t abuse your position. Because according to that hadith, just leaders get the shade.
Worship Allah seriously if you’re young. According to that second category, if you’re still young, stop wasting it. Your youth is a trust. You’ll be asked about it on Judgment Day. Spend it worshipping, according to this category’s requirement. Spend it obeying, based on what qualifies for this shade. Because youth wasted on haram leads to old age filled with regret.
Attach your heart to the masjid. According to that third category, make the masjid your priority. Pray every prayer there. If you can’t, according to circumstances like being female or too far, make your prayer space at home somewhere you love to be. Somewhere your heart yearns for. Because according to that hadith, hearts attached to Allah’s houses get the shade.
Build friendships for Allah’s sake only. According to that fourth category, evaluate your friendships. Do they bring you closer to Allah ﷻ or further, based on their influence? Do they remind you of Akhirah or make you forget it, according to companionship effects? If they’re pulling you toward sin, cut them off—no matter how long you’ve known them. Build new friendships with people who love Allah ﷻ. Because according to that hadith, true Islamic brotherhood gets the shade.
Resist every temptation for Allah. According to that fifth category, the next time you’re tempted to sin, remember this hadith. Say out loud if needed: “I fear Allah,” based on what that man in the hadith said. Let that fear, overpower your desire. Make it your habit. Because according to that hadith, resisting for Allah’s sake gets the shade.
Give charity secretly starting today. According to that sixth category, give something in charity right now—but tell absolutely no one, based on this secrecy requirement. Not your spouse. Not your parents. Not your best friend. Just you and Allah ﷻ, according to this pure sincerity. Make it a habit, based on consistent practice. Weekly. Monthly. However often you can, according to your ability. In complete secret. Because according to prophetic promise, secret charity gets the shade.
Cry for Allah in private. According to that seventh category, sit alone tonight. Turn off all distractions, based on proper focus. Think about your sins, according to what this reflection requires. Think about Judgment Day. Think about Allah’s mercy that you’ve wasted, according to opportunities you’ve squandered. Think about the grave waiting for you. And let yourself cry. Beg Allah ﷻ for forgiveness. Beg Him for the shade on that Day. Because according to that hadith, crying for Allah gets the shade.
The Reality That Should Terrify You
The Day of Judgment isn’t theory. It’s not metaphor. It’s not “maybe”. It will happen.
That sun, will be brought one mile from your head. That heat, will be unbearable. That sweat, will rise according to your deeds. And you’ll stand there, for what disbelievers will experience as 50,000 years.
Unless according to that hadith about the seven categories, you qualify for the shade. Unless based on your deeds and character, you’re among those Allah ﷻ protects. Unless according to how you lived, you earned that mercy.
The choice, according to Islamic teachings on free will, is yours right now. The opportunity, based on you being alive, is still available. But according to Islamic reality about death, you don’t know how much time you have left.
You could die tonight. Tomorrow. Next week. And the moment you die, your deeds are locked. Whatever level you built—ankle, knee, waist, mouth, or shade—that’s what you get.
Make sure, that when that Day comes—when you’re standing there, when that sun is brought close, when the sweat starts rising—you’re among those under Allah’s shade, based on earning it through these seven categories.
Because nothing—absolutely nothing—is worse than standing for 50,000 years, drowning in your own sweat up to your mouth, unable to breathe, unable to move, unable to escape, regretting every sin, mourning every wasted prayer, wishing you had one more chance—while watching others standing comfortably in the shade, according to what their deeds earned them.
Don’t be the one drowning. Be the one under the shade, according to these seven categories. Because that Day is coming. That sun is coming. That sweat is coming. And according to how you’re living right now—your destination is being determined.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in presenting Islamic teachings based on authentic Quranic verses, hadith collections, and scholarly interpretations preserved across centuries of Islamic tradition, readers are strongly advised to consult qualified Islamic scholars in their local area for specific religious rulings, detailed interpretations, and matters requiring expert guidance. The content reflects understanding drawn from classical and contemporary Islamic scholarship regarding the Day of Judgment, its duration, conditions, and the categories of people who will be protected, and should not replace personal consultation with knowledgeable religious authorities for individual circumstances.