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Dhul-Suwayqatayn
Dhul-Suwayqatayn
Dhul-Suwayqatayn
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Dhul-Suwayqatayn (Arabic: ذو السويقتين, lit. 'the man with two thin legs',[1][2] Amharic: ዱል-ሱወይቃታይን) is a figure mentioned in many hadith of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[1]

These describe an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) destined to permanently destroy the Ka‘aba brick by brick and remove its treasure.[3][2] At this time faith in God will have disappeared, so the destruction will go unnoticed.[1] in several Hadith, Mohammed specifically warns his followers not to attack Abyssinia[2] without provocation because of this prophecy.

Dhul-Suwayqatayn is described in the hadiths[2] as being black,[3] short,[2] bald[4] and with "thin legs",[5] which is often interpreted as meaning they are deformed[4][6]

Hadiths

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References to this are recorded in all six traditional Sunni compilations of hadith, the Kutub al-Sitta, including the earliest and the most revered ones, namely Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.[7] The tradition is likely related to the Year of the Elephant, when the Axumite general Abraha is said to have attacked Mecca.[8]

Hadith describing Dhul-Suwayqatayn and destruction of Ka'abah

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The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "As if I were looking at him, a black person with thin legs plucking the stones of the Ka`ba one after another. "[9]

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Dhus-Suwaiqatain (the thin legged man) from Ethiopia will demolish the Ka`ba."[10]

The Ka'ba would be destroyed by an Abyssinian having two small shanks.[11]

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'The Kabah will be destroyed by Dhul-Suwaiqatan (one with thin legs) from Ethiopia.'"[12]

It would be an Abyssinian having two small shanks who would destroy the House ol Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.[13]

The Prophet;; said, "Dhus-Suwaiqa-tain (literally: One with two lean legs) from Ethiopia will demolish the Ka`ba."[5]

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “An Abyssinian with short legs will destroy the Ka'ba.”[14]

Hadith warning muslims not to attack Abyssinia

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The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Leave the Abyssinians alone as long as they leave you alone, for it is only the Abyssinian with short legs who will seek to take out the treasure of the Ka'bah.[2]

`Abdallah b. `Amr reported the Prophet as saying, "Leave the Abyssinians alone as long as they leave you alone, for it is only the Abyssinian with short legs who will seek to take out the treasure of the Ka'ba." Abu Dawud transmitted it.[15]

End time hadith

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The people of Makkah will leave and no one will come to it-or no one will come to it except a few-then it will be filled and built up, then they will leave it and never return to it.`[16]

Interpretation

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Abd Allah ibn Amr ibn al-As and Ibn Kathir interpreted that this will occur after the second coming of Yeshua (Isa) (AKA Jesus Christ),[17] in the end times.[18][19]

In other religions

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Following the Fifth Crusade (1217–1221), this tradition was transferred to Europe when Bishop Oliver of Paderborn's Historia Damiatina described a Nubian king as an omen indicating the end of Islam.[20]

Pierre d'Avity's "The Estate of the Empire of Presbyter Iohn" similarly describes a prophecy of a new Reformer rising from the Church of Rome around the year 1520, with the Franks supposedly conquering Tours, Ziden, Mecca, and Egypt.[21] It also mentions the prophecy of Dhul-Suwayqatayn and the Abyssinian destruction of the Islamic holy sites, including the sepulchre of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[21]

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dhul-Suwayqatayn

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Dhul-Suwayqatayn (: ذو السويقتين, meaning "the one with two thin shanks") is a prophesied figure in , described in authentic s as an Abyssinian man who will demolish the Ka'ba toward the end of time. His appearance is regarded as one of the minor signs of the Day of Judgment, occurring after the decline of in and the cessation of . The primary narrations concerning Dhul-Suwayqatayn are reported from Abu Hurairah, in which the Prophet Muhammad stated: "The Ka'ba will be destroyed by Dhul-Suwayqatayn from ." This is classified as sahih (authentic) and appears in major collections, including (hadith 1591) and . The name "Dhul-Suwayqatayn" derives from his physical description as a man with slender, weak legs, emphasizing his unassuming yet divinely ordained role in this event. Scholars interpret this destruction as a symbolic culmination of worldly trials, where Dhul-Suwayqatayn will dismantle the Ka'ba stone by stone to access its hidden treasures, after which no further rebuilding or pilgrimage will occur until the Day of Judgment. Some narrations suggest he may lead a small group, but the core prophecy centers on this individual act as a harbinger of the Hour's approach. This event underscores the transient nature of earthly sanctuaries in Islamic theology, contrasting with the permanence of divine judgment.

Etymology and Description

Name Origin

The name "Dhul-Suwayqatayn" derives from the "dhū" (ذو), signifying "possessor of" or "one endowed with," a common prefix in to indicate ownership or characteristic attributes. This is compounded with "suwayqatayn" (السويقتين), the dual form of "suwayqah" (سويقة), which is the of "saq" (ساق) meaning "" or "shank," literally rendering the as "the one with two thin (or slender) shanks/legs." The form "suwayqah" specifically connotes smallness or thinness, often applied to describe slender limbs, as noted in classical lexicographical works explaining its use in reference to physical traits prevalent among certain groups like . In prophetic traditions, this highlights the figure's distinctive physical characteristic of thin legs as a primary identifier. Such compound constructions using "dhū" followed by a descriptive noun were a longstanding feature of pre-Islamic and early Islamic , serving to denote personal attributes or tribal affiliations rather than formal given names, as seen in examples like Dhū al-Qarnayn ("possessor of two horns") in ancient lore. This usage underscores the epithet's role in vivid, attribute-based identification within oral and literary traditions.

Physical Characteristics

Dhul-Suwayqatayn is depicted in prophetic traditions as an individual originating from , corresponding to the region of modern-day and , serving as a key identifier in end-time prophecies. His most distinctive physical feature is his thin, slender legs, known as suwayqatayn in . This trait is emphasized in narrations where he is explicitly called "the thin-legged man from ." Additional descriptions portray him as a bald-headed man from with thin shins. Some accounts further note a in his wrists, adding to the specificity of his prophesied appearance.

Hadith Sources

Primary Narrations

The primary narrations concerning Dhul-Suwayqatayn originate from authentic Hadith collections, where the Prophet Muhammad describes an Abyssinian figure destined to demolish the Ka'ba. One of the key reports is found in Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Dhus-Suwaiqatain (the thin-legged man) from Ethiopia will demolish the Ka`ba." The Arabic text reads: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم "يُخَرِّبُ الْكَعْبَةَ ذُو السُّوَيْقَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْحَبَشَةِ". A parallel narration appears in , also from Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The Ka'ba would be destroyed by an Abyssinian having two small shanks." The phrasing specifies ذُو السُّوَيْقَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْحَبَشَةِ, emphasizing the physical trait of thin or small shanks as a distinguishing feature. Supporting narrations provide additional details on his emergence and actions. In , narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr, the Prophet (ﷺ) stated: "Leave the Abyssinians alone as long as they leave you alone, for it is only the Abyssinian with short legs who will seek to take out the of the Ka'ba." This implies his role in accessing and removing the Ka'ba's contents during the demolition. Further details in related reports describe him wielding a shovel and pickaxe to dismantle the structure stone by stone, highlighting the methodical nature of the act.

Authenticity Discussions

The hadiths concerning Dhul-Suwayqatayn are classified as sahih (authentic) in the major collections of Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, owing to their robust chains of transmission (isnad) tracing back to the Companion Abu Hurairah. In Sahih al-Bukhari (hadith 1596), the narration proceeds through Yahya ibn Bukayr → Al-Layth → Yunus → Ibn Shihab → Sa’id ibn al-Musayyab → Abu Hurairah, with all narrators being trustworthy and the chain meeting the stringent criteria for authenticity established by Imam al-Bukhari. Similarly, in Sahih Muslim (hadith 2909a), the transmission runs via Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah and Ibn Abi Umar → Sufyan ibn Uyaynah → Ziyad ibn Sa’d → Al-Zuhri → Sa’id → Abu Hurairah, fulfilling Imam Muslim's rigorous standards for reliability, including continuous hearing (sama') among narrators. These chains demonstrate a high degree of scholarly consensus on the hadiths' validity within Sunni hadith science ('ilm al-hadith), as both collections are regarded as the most authoritative sources. Weaker (da'if) narrations exist in sources like Musnad Ahmad, often involving interrupted chains or less reliable transmitters, but these do not undermine the core authentic reports. Historical analysis of the transmission patterns reveals a common link ('illah) at Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, a pivotal early scholar who bridged second- and third-century transmitters, as identified in studies of hadith evolution. This pattern suggests the prophecy circulated widely among Medinan and Kufan scholars shortly after the Prophet's era, with multiple independent paths converging on Abu Hurairah's report. Regarding potential influences, the depiction of an Abyssinian figure in end-times narratives shows parallels with late antique Near Eastern apocalyptic traditions, where Ethiopia (al-Habash) symbolized peripheral threats in Jewish and Christian eschatology, possibly shaping early Islamic motifs without compromising the hadiths' internal authenticity.

Eschatological Role

Destruction of the Ka'ba

In , Dhul-Suwayqatayn, an individual originating from (modern-day ), is prophesied to demolish the Ka'ba as one of the terminal signs preceding the Day of . According to a narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet Muhammad stated: "The Ka'bah will be destroyed by Dhul-Suwaiqatayn (one with thin legs) from ." This figure is depicted as a man with distinctive physical traits, including thin or small shanks, emphasizing his unassuming yet pivotal role in this apocalyptic event. The method of destruction is described in narrations as methodical and manual, involving simple tools such as a (or ) and to dismantle the structure stone by stone. A detailed account in Musnad Ahmad reports that Dhul-Suwayqatayn will pick at the Ka'ba with these implements, underscoring the deliberate nature of the act rather than a swift or explosive demolition. During this process, he will strip away the —the black cloth covering the Ka'ba—and extract hidden treasures buried beneath it, driven primarily by motives of theft and plunder. This occurs in a time when has entirely vanished from the , with no remaining believers to defend or witness the sacred site. Following the demolition, the Ka'ba will lie in ruins without any attempt at reconstruction, symbolizing the complete cessation of religious observance and the finality of earthly sacred spaces as the world hurtles toward . This irreversible aftermath highlights the event's role as a marker of utter desolation in the prophetic timeline.

Connection to End-Time Events

In Islamic eschatology, Dhul-Suwayqatayn's is positioned as a late-stage event following the major signs of the Hour, including the advent of the who establishes amid global tyranny, the trials of the Dajjal, the descent of Isa ibn Maryam to slay the Dajjal, and the destructive release of Yajuj and Majuj, which ends with their annihilation through divine means. The precise position in of signs is subject to scholarly interpretation. This underscores a period of renewed after initial restoration of equity, leading toward the ultimate divine reckoning. The event aligns with the prophesied abandonment of to the Ka'ba, a key indicator that the Hour approaches, as no pilgrims will remain due to the widespread disappearance of from the . At this juncture, when believers are absent and the world is steeped in corruption, Dhul-Suwayqatayn will appear as the final desecrator, fulfilling the Prophet Muhammad's narration that "The Ka'ba will be destroyed by Dhul-Suwayqatayn (one with thin legs) from ." This act symbolizes the culmination of moral decay, occurring shortly before the trumpet blasts signaling the Day of Judgment. Dhul-Suwayqatayn's role intersects with other environmental omens of the end times, such as the drying of the River, which will reveal a mountain of gold sparking fierce conflicts among people, ninety-nine out of a hundred of whom will perish in the strife. These signs collectively highlight escalating chaos and the erosion of sacred order, with Dhul-Suwayqatayn embodying the ultimate violation against one of Islam's holiest sites amid humanity's final descent into disbelief.

Scholarly Interpretations

Sunni Perspectives

In Sunni orthodoxy, Dhul-Suwayqatayn is regarded as a literal figure prophesied in authentic hadith to emerge at the end of time and demolish the Ka'ba, an event that underscores the truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad's prophecies. Ibn Kathir, in his compilation The Signs Before the Day of Judgement, details this occurrence as one of the final portents of the Hour, interpreting it as a fulfillment of divine revelation that affirms the Prophet's mission and the inevitability of eschatological events. Similarly, al-Nawawi, in his Sharh Sahih Muslim, accepts the narration as sahih and describes Dhul-Suwayqatayn physically as an Abyssinian with thin shanks, emphasizing the hadith's reliability within the canonical collections. Sunni scholars maintain a consensus that this destruction will transpire after key end-time developments, including the descent of Jesus (Isa), rendering the Ka'ba's role in ritual worship obsolete as faith reaches its zenith before the final Hour. Ibn Kathir explicitly places the event following Jesus's return, noting that by then, no pilgrimage or prayer toward the Ka'ba will remain, symbolizing the culmination of earthly religious observances. This timing aligns with broader Sunni eschatology, where the act confirms prophethood without possibility of prevention by human means, as the hadith states no one will oppose the demolisher. Traditional interpretations remain predominantly literal, which prioritizes the hadith's plain meaning to reinforce belief in divine .

Shia Perspectives

In Twelver Shia tradition, the figure of Dhul-Suwayqatayn is associated with the final phase of eschatological events following the establishment of justice by al-Mahdi during his rule. This occurrence is placed as one of the ultimate signs heralding the Day of Judgment, emphasizing its role in concluding the period of prophetic guidance on earth. Shia hadiths portray Dhul-Suwayqatayn not as an isolated individual but as the leader of a group originating from Abyssinia (Ethiopia), who will demolish the Ka'ba brick by brick under divine decree, thereby signaling the irrevocable end of times and the cessation of pilgrimage rites. This act is depicted as permitted by God to underscore the transience of worldly symbols of worship, with the Black Stone reportedly relocated to the mosque in Kufa as a testament to the shift in sacred centers during the end times. For instance, Kitab al-Ghayba by Shaykh al-Tusi narrates that "the people of Abyssinia will demolish the Ka'ba; the Black Stone will be taken away and fixed in the Kufa Mosque," highlighting the event's integration into Shia geography and theology. Scholarly interpretations within Twelver Shia frame the prophecy of as a fulfillment of broader eschatological promises intertwined with the (ghayba) and eventual return (raj'a) of the , illustrating divine orchestration of history's conclusion beyond human intervention.

References

  1. https://www.islamweb.net/ar/fatwa/118584/%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B2%25D9%2585%25D9%2586-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B0%25D9%258A-%25D9%258A%25D8%25AE%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A8-%25D9%2581%25D9%258A%25D9%2587-%25D8%25B0%25D9%2588-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B3%25D9%2588%25D9%258A%25D9%2582%25D8%25AA%25D9%258A%25D9%2586-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2583%25D8%25B9%25D8%25A8%25D8%25A9-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2585%25D8%25B4%25D8%25B1%25D9%2581%25D8%25A9
  2. https://dorar.net/hadith/sharh/33856
  3. https://surahquran.com/Hadith-4263.html
  4. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1596
  5. https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/allah-allow-kabah-destroyed/
  6. https://islam.worldofislam.info/index.php/islam/70-signs-before-the-day-of-judgement/59-the-destruction-of-the-kaba
  7. https://sunnah.com/muslim:2909a
  8. https://sunnah.com/abudawud:4309
  9. https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/irsyad-al-hadith/3769-irsyad-al-hadith-431-the-hadith-regarding-the-demolition-of-the-ka-ba
  10. https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/91543/when-the-last-day-is-near-thus-suwayqatayn-will-demolish-the-kabah
  11. https://islam.stackexchange.com/questions/33063/can-anyone-provide-a-reference-to-the-destruction-of-kabah
  12. https://hal.science/hal-02934450v1/document
  13. https://islamqa.info/en/answers/43840/signs-of-the-judgement-day-in-order
  14. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1593
  15. https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/21784/the-frequent-attacks-on-the-kaaba-do-not-contradict-the-verse-that-reads-that-the-kaaba-is-a-secure-place
  16. https://www.islamland.com/uploads/books/en_The_Minor_Resurrection.pdf
  17. https://al-islam.org/shaykh-al-tusis-book-occultation-shaykh-tusi/signs-preceding-reappearance-imam-al-mahdi
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