Introduction
Islamic eschatology is filled with mysterious and dramatic signs of the end times, and among the most ominous figures are Gog and Magog—or Ya’juj and Ma’juj. The Qur’an and Hadith describe them as corruptive forces that will be released near the Day of Judgment, spreading destruction and chaos. One modern Islamic scholar who has given significant attention to these figures is Sheikh Imran N. Hosein, a Trinidadian Islamic thinker known for his unique interpretations of geopolitical events through a Qur'anic and eschatological lens.
In a widely discussed and controversial claim, Sheikh Imran Hosein asserts that Gog and Magog are today manifest in the form of Ashkenazic European Jews, who, according to him, play a central role in the unfolding of end-times events. This article explores his views, the theological basis he cites, and the wider religious, political, and ethical implications of such a claim.
Gog and Magog in the Qur’an and Hadith
In Islamic scripture, Ya’juj and Ma’juj are mentioned in two key places:
-
Surah Al-Kahf (18:93–99) — The story of Dhul-Qarnayn, a righteous ruler who constructed a barrier to contain these two tribes due to their corruptive influence. The Qur’an says they will one day break free.
-
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:96) — Their reemergence is described as one of the major signs of the Last Day.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also mentioned them in Hadith, portraying them as a massive, destructive force that will swarm across the earth, overwhelming human defenses.
Imran Hosein’s Thesis: Who Are Gog and Magog Today?
Sheikh Imran Hosein builds his theory on a synthesis of Islamic scripture, historical migration patterns, and geopolitical analysis. According to his interpretation:
-
The barrier built by Dhul-Qarnayn was located in the Caucasus Mountains, possibly between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
-
He identifies the people trapped behind this barrier with tribes of Turkic and nomadic origin, particularly the Khazars, a group that historically converted to Judaism in the 8th century.
-
Many Khazar descendants, he argues, later migrated into Europe and became what are now called Ashkenazic Jews—the majority of today’s Jewish population in Europe and North America.
From this point, Hosein posits that Gog and Magog have already been released, and their modern manifestation is through Western imperial powers, global finance, and Zionist political movements, all of which he believes are heavily influenced by Ashkenazi elites.
The Link to Ashkenaz and Biblical Geography
Part of Sheikh Imran Hosein’s argument relies on a linguistic and biblical reference:
-
In Genesis 10:2–3, the Bible lists Ashkenaz as a descendant of Japheth, who settled in regions around the Black Sea.
-
He connects the term “Ashkenazi” with Ashkenaz, suggesting that modern Ashkenazi Jews are ethnically distinct from Semitic Jews and have historical ties to the lands where Gog and Magog were confined.
This interpretation is controversial not only within academic circles but also among Islamic scholars, many of whom reject it due to a lack of strong evidence in Qur’anic tafsir (exegesis) or sound hadith.
Zionism, the State of Israel, and End-Times Deception
A major part of Sheikh Imran Hosein’s eschatological framework includes the belief that:
-
The Zionist project to create a Jewish state in the Holy Land is a false fulfillment of biblical and Qur’anic prophecy.
-
This project, he argues, is backed by Gog and Magog (in their modern form), and is designed to deceive the world into accepting a false messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal).
-
The Western alliance with Israel and the imposition of a secular, nationalist Jewish state is seen as a form of spiritual corruption, undermining both Christian and Islamic expectations of the end times.
According to Hosein, Gog and Magog’s reappearance is not in the form of mythical creatures, but as geopolitical agents of chaos and moral decay.
Critiques and Controversies
Sheikh Imran Hosein’s thesis has been criticized on multiple fronts:
-
Historical oversimplification – Historians caution against conflating Khazar ancestry with all Ashkenazic Jews. Modern genetics and migration patterns are complex and not easily mapped onto prophetic figures.
-
Sectarian and ethnic targeting – Linking eschatological villains with a specific ethnic group—even under religious justification—can fuel antisemitic sentiment, whether or not that is the scholar’s intention.
-
Non-traditional tafsir – Most Islamic scholars do not identify Gog and Magog with specific modern ethnic groups. Traditional interpretations see them as tribes whose true identity is unknown until they reappear.
-
Danger of conspiracy thinking – Critics argue that Hosein’s framework sometimes veers into conspiratorial territory, especially when connecting global institutions, finance, and media to an alleged Gog-Magog agenda.
Defending the Interpretation: Hosein’s Justifications
To his supporters, Sheikh Imran Hosein offers a compelling counter-narrative to the prevailing Western-centric reading of world affairs. They argue:
-
His framework is rooted in a consistent Qur’anic worldview, where symbolism and historical geography are used to decode current events.
-
He is not targeting Jews as a religious group, but rather pointing to a political elite with a specific history tied to false messianism.
-
His warnings about Western imperialism, moral decay, and global control resonate with growing concerns among many Muslims worldwide.
For them, Hosein offers clarity and a call to spiritual vigilance in an age of deception.
The Need for Responsible Discourse
Whether one agrees with Sheikh Imran Hosein or not, the sensitive nature of his thesis demands careful engagement. Using religious prophecy to label entire groups as harbingers of destruction carries real-world consequences. History shows that such ideas have been used to justify exclusion, violence, and systemic discrimination.
As such, any examination of eschatological figures like Gog and Magog must:
-
Avoid ethnically or religiously deterministic claims.
-
Distinguish between theological metaphor and literal identification.
-
Be guided by ethical responsibility and scholarly integrity.
Conclusion: Interpretive Freedom vs Ethical Boundaries
Sheikh Imran Hosein’s identification of Gog and Magog with Ashkenazic Jews remains one of the most debated and provocative claims in modern Islamic eschatology. While it draws from historical threads and geopolitical critique, its conclusions are far from universally accepted—either among Islamic scholars or historians.
The deeper message, however, that the end times will be marked by deception, global oppression, and false appearances of truth, is one shared across Abrahamic faiths. Whether Gog and Magog are political systems, ideologies, or ethnic groups is ultimately secondary to the core spiritual warning: to remain vigilant, morally upright, and faithful in a world increasingly shaped by materialism, injustice, and confusion.