The Fire of Hijaz: A Fulfilled Prophecy and Sign of the Hour

Introduction

The land of Hijaz, blessed by Allah, is home to the holiest sites in Islam—Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. These sacred cities not only witnessed the birth of the Islamic message but also continue to stand as living signs of its truth. Among the many Prophecies of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the emergence of a fire from the land of Hijaz—a stunning and historically verified event that fulfills one of the Minor Signs of the Hour.

This prophecy, deeply rooted in Islamic eschatology, was fulfilled in the year 654 AH (1256 CE) through a massive volcano near Madinah, known as the Harrat Rahat eruption. This article explores the Fire of Hijaz, its prophetic origin, historical reality, eyewitness accounts, and its relevance as one of the signs of the Day of Resurrection.

The Prophetic Foretelling

The foundation of this event lies in authentic hadith, among them the narration by Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:

“The Hour will not be established till a fire will come out of the land of Hijaz, and it will throw light on the necks of the camels at Busra.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari

Busra, a town in al-Sham (modern-day southern Syria), is a significant distance from Madinah—making this a remarkable prophecy.

The Historical Fulfillment (654 AH / 1256 CE)

In 654 AH (1256 CE), a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy occurred with the eruption of a volcano in the Harrat Rahat volcanic field, situated on the eastern side of Madinah.

Eruption of Harrat Rahat: The volcanic eruption in Harrat Rahat, near Madinah, lasted for approximately 52 days.

Effects:

- The eruption was accompanied by a series of violent earthquakes and explosive activity.
- Lava flowed across a distance of about 23 kilometers, reaching as far as the southern boundary of what is now the modern airport of Madinah.
- Rivers of fire were visible from within the city of Madinah itself.

Eyewitness Accounts

Abu Shaamah said, “On the night before Wednesday, the 3rd of Jumaada Al-Aakhirah, 654 AH (29th May 1256 CE), a massive boom resounded in Al-Madeenah Al-Munawwarah. The ground, walls, roofs, beams, and doors shook, hour after hour, until Friday. Then, a great fire appeared in the Harrah (a volcanic area in Madinah), near the land of Banu Qurayzah. It could be seen from our houses and from within the city. Rivers of fire were flowing into the valley of Shazaa like streams. It blocked the stream of Shazaa, which no longer flowed. By Allah, a group of us went out to look at it, and the mountain was flowing with fire.”

And what the Prophet — peace and blessings be upon him — foretold did indeed occur: those fires lit up the necks of camels in Busra, just as stated in the agreed-upon hadith. The Chief Judge Ṣadr al-Dīn ʿAlī ibn Abī al-Qāsim al-Tamīmī al-Ḥanafī, who was the judge in Damascus, reported: “I heard a Bedouin man telling my father in Busra during those nights that they saw the necks of camels in the light of that fire which appeared in the land of the Hijaz.”

Spiritual Impact and Community Response

As a result of this fire, people abandoned sinful acts and turned to Allah Almighty through acts of obedience. The governor of Madinah relinquished many injustices against its people, freed all his slaves, and returned money to several individuals. The people of Madinah entered the mosque of their Prophet — peace be upon him — seeking forgiveness and repenting to their Lord, the Almighty. People spent the night in prayer, reciting the Qur’an, bowing and prostrating, calling upon Allah the Exalted, renouncing their sins, and hoping for their Lord’s pardon.

It became a moment of deep reflection on the minor signs of Day of Judgement, bringing the community together in fear and hope.

Conclusion

The Fire of Hijaz stands as an awe-inspiring fulfillment of one of the Minor Signs of the Hour. Its occurrence serves as a monumental proof of the truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, echoing the urgency of preparing for the Hour.

This event seamlessly connects divine revelation, historical documentation, Islamic eschatology, and geological evidence. It remains one of the most striking signs of the Hour, etched in both history and the hearts of believers.

With the unfolding of numerous minor signs foretold in authentic narrations—signs that were once distant, but are now manifest—the reality of the Final Hour grows ever nearer. The warnings have been many, and the reminders continuous, yet heedlessness remains widespread.

Today, we find ourselves witnessing events that were once only spoken of in prophecy. The moral decay, widespread injustice, the inversion of truth, and the rise of falsehood—all signal a world drawing ever closer to its destined end. It is not a matter of speculation, but a matter of Divine Promise, inching closer with each passing day.

Let every heart reflect, and every soul take heed. For when the promise unfolds, it will come suddenly and with certainty. And on that Day, regret will not avail those who turned away.

وَٱقْتَرَبَ ٱلْوَعْدُ ٱلْحَقُّ فَإِذَا هِىَ شَـٰخِصَةٌ أَبْصَـٰرُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَا قَدْ كُنَّا فِى غَفْلَةٍۢ مِّنْ هَـٰذَا بَلْ كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ
And the true promise (Day of Resurrection) shall draw near (of fulfillment). Then (when mankind is resurrected from their graves), you shall see the eyes of the disbelievers fixedly staring in horror. (They will say): “Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this – nay, but we were Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers).”

(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:97)

May this be a moment of reflection before the veil is lifted and the truth stands undeniable.