Gog and Magog are mentioned in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and while folklore has attached many imaginative tales to their story, only the accounts found in the Quran and the Sunnah hold authoritative value in Islamic tradition. Despite some claims that Gog and Magog are not human, Islamic narrations clearly affirm that they are from the descendants of Adam, belonging to the progeny of Japheth, the father of the Turks. Japheth was one of the sons of Prophet Noah, but it appears that these two tribes were known for their might and tyranny.
The Meaning Behind the Names “Gog and Magog”
The name “Gog and Magog” derives from “Ajeej”, meaning the blazing of fire, which, when ignited, causes its flames to interlock and spread chaotically. According to Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad bin Qasim Al-Asimi Al-Hanbali, in his book Hashiyat Al-Durra Al-Mudhiya fi ‘Aqd Al-Firqah Al-Mardhiyya (p. 81), the names may indicate their vast numbers and intense power. Some scholars suggest that the names derive from “Ujaj”, meaning extremely salty water, while others argue that they are foreign names. However, genealogists unanimously agree that they are descendants of Japheth, the son of Noah.
Physical Descriptions: “Broad Faces” and “Small Eyes”
The Islamic descriptions of Gog and Magog’s physical traits align with the theory of researcher Abdullah Sharabji. In his book Majma’ Al-Zawa’id wa Manba’ Al-Fawa’id, Al-Haythami (735-807 AH), a scholar of Hadith, narrates from Ahmad and Al-Tabarani that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“You claim there is no enemy, but you will continue to fight until Gog and Magog emerge: they have broad faces, small eyes, reddish hair, and will descend from every height. Their faces resemble shields hammered flat.”
The word “mujann al-matraqa” (hammered shields) refers to the roundness and flatness of their faces, as well as their thickness and abundant flesh.
When we compare these descriptions—broad faces, small eyes, and flat facial structure—to the Chinese term “The Continent of the Horse People” (a reference to Central Asia, particularly Kyrgyzstan, where horses are abundant), it becomes easier to support Sharabji’s theory that Gog and Magog share characteristics with the peoples of Central Asia.
The Barrier of Dhul-Qarnayn: Between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Following the expedition of Dhul-Qarnayn, who built a barrier to block the incursion of Gog and Magog, Abdullah Sharabji suggests in his book The Journey of Dhul-Qarnayn to the East that this barrier is located in the mountainous regions between western Kyrgyzstan and eastern Uzbekistan. This region is home to Turkic peoples, including Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Turkmens, and Uighurs (who live in western China), extending to Azerbaijan, northern Iran (Azeri-Turkic provinces), and Turkey.
The Abbasid Caliph Al-Wathiq Billah and the Search for Gog and Magog
An intriguing historical account narrates that Caliph Al-Wathiq Billah (d. 232 AH / 722 CE) sent an emissary named Salam Al-Tarjuman to search for the land of Gog and Magog. The caliph had a dream in which he saw the barrier of Dhul-Qarnayn opening, causing him great distress.
Salam Al-Tarjuman embarked on a journey to northern Asia in search of the barrier. His account is documented in Al-Idrisi’s Nuzhat Al-Mushtaq fi Ikhtiraq Al-Afaq and Ibn Khordadbeh’s Al-Masalik wa Al-Mamalik. The Dutch orientalist De Goeje deemed this a historical event worthy of study, supported by the historian Tomaschek and the Byzantinist Vasilyev, who believed Salam accurately described the barrier and reassured the Abbasid Caliph that Gog and Magog had not breached it.
Where Are Gog and Magog Located?
Despite modern advancements in technology and exploration, humanity has yet to pinpoint the exact location of Gog and Magog or the barrier built by Dhul-Qarnayn. Allah has veiled their location from human sight. However, there are several prevailing theories regarding their whereabouts:
1. Somewhere on the Earth’s Surface
Some scholars suggest that Gog and Magog are confined in a specific earthly location. Some have speculated their whereabouts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while others linked their barrier to the Great Wall of China, though this is historically inaccurate since iron and copper were not used in the construction of the Great Wall. Another hypothesis suggests they are hidden at the North or South Pole. Notably, Al-Idrisi’s map, drawn a thousand years ago, places them in northern Siberia.
2. Beneath the Earth – The Hollow Earth Theory
Some Muslim thinkers support the Hollow Earth Theory, which posits that the Earth is hollow, containing another world within it, much like a football’s interior. This theory aligns with the Islamic concept of the seven Earths. Its proponents argue that the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is evidence of this internal world.
3. In the Eastern Lands – Beyond the Barrier
Another perspective is that Gog and Magog are situated in the easternmost regions. The Turkic peoples were outside the barrier, while Gog and Magog remained confined behind it. Many scholars believe they are located in China and surrounding areas, as they were left there when Dhul-Qarnayn built the barrier. They will remain hidden until Allah decrees their emergence, at which point they will spread across the Earth in a wave of corruption.
Conclusion
The mystery surrounding Gog and Magog’s exact location continues to intrigue scholars and researchers. Islamic sources affirm their existence, yet their precise whereabouts remain concealed by divine wisdom. Whether they reside on the Earth’s surface, underground, or in the easternmost lands, their emergence at the end of times will be a monumental event that unfolds as decreed in divine prophecy.
Until then, the story of Gog and Magog remains one of the greatest mysteries in Islamic eschatology, reinforcing the depth of Allah’s unseen knowledge and His supreme control over creation.
