How will the wind that will take the spirits of the believers spread across the earth?

I have a question regarding how a wind, reportedly originating from Yemen, will take the spirits of believers living on different continents and in distant countries. After all, there is a natural limit to the distance a wind from Yemen can reach.
So, how will the wind from Yemen take the spirits of believers living in different parts of the world? How should this matter be understood?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The hadith about a wind originating from Yemen that will take the spirits of believers may, at first glance, raise this question: “How can a wind blowing from Yemen reach the other side of the world?” However, this hadith foretells one of the unknown events that will occur near the end of time. Therefore, it is not appropriate to evaluate the matter solely according to the meteorological rules we know today.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“Undoubtedly, Allah will send a wind that is softer than silk from Yemen. It will not leave anyone whose heart contains even a mustard seed’s worth (or a speck) of belief; it will take the spirits of all of them.” (Muslim, Iman, 185)

In another hadith, without specifying the origin of the wind, he said:

“Allah will send a pleasant wind. By its effect, the spirits of everyone who has even a speck of faith in their hearts will be taken. Only those who are of no good will remain, and they will return to the religion of their forefathers.” (Muslim, Fitan, 52)

Having considered these hadiths together, Imam Nawawi states that there is no contradiction between them and other narrations indicating that the Day of Judgment will not befall believers. According to this, after the signs of the Day of Judgment are completed, Allah will send this gentle wind; the spirits of all believers on earth will be taken, and the Day of Judgment will befall only the worst of people. (Nawawi, Sharh Muslim, the explanation of the hadith in question)

The phrase “a wind softer than silk” in the hadith has been interpreted as an indication that the spirits of believers will be taken easily. However, some scholars have also stated that whether death is easy or difficult alone does not indicate a person’s rank in the sight of Allah. Indeed, some righteous servants may experience severe agony in death, while some sinners may pass away more easily. Therefore, the main emphasis of the hadith is not on how the wind blows, but rather on Allah’s mercy in taking His believing servants to His presence before the horrors of the Day of Judgment.

Indeed, another manifestation of Allah’s infinite mercy is seen in this narration. The coming of the Day of Judgment is a great manifestation of Allah’s name “al-Qahhar “ (The Subduer) and a terrifying event in which life in the universe comes to an end.

Nevertheless, Allah Almighty does not allow His believing servants to witness that dreadful scene; instead, He takes their spirits by sending them a wind softer than silk. In this respect, the hadith not only foretells a future event but also demonstrates Allah’s mercy toward His believing servants. Reflecting on this divine mercy is a great source of comfort, joy, and gratitude for the believer.

So how will this wind, originating in Yemen, reach every corner of the world?

Imam Nawawi mentions two possibilities regarding this matter:

Firstly, there will be two separate winds, one blowing from Yemen and the other from Damascus.

Secondly, the wind starts from Yemen, then moves toward Damascus, and from there spreads across the entire earth. (Nawawi, ibid.)

Therefore, the statement in the hadith that “it will come from Yemen” does not mean that its effect will only be in the vicinity of Yemen. This expression indicates the direction from which the wind will come; it does not limit its area of influence.

In fact, the crucial point here is that this event is one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment and will occur through the power of Allah. Just as the sun rising from the west and the emergence of Dabbatul-Ard (the Beast of the Earth) are not explained by the laws of nature, it is not appropriate to consider this wind, which will take the spirits of the believers, as a mere weather phenomenon.

If Allah Almighty wills, He is certainly able to send a wind across the entire earth and, through it, take the spirits of whomever He wishes.

Is there a reason behind the wind’s blowing from Yemen?

The fact that the hadiths mention that the wind will come specifically from Yemen raises the question, “Why Yemen and not somewhere else?”

There is no sound narration that provides a definitive explanation on this matter. Therefore, it would not be correct to make a definitive statement such as “this is the wisdom behind it.” However, there are some points that scholars have indicated.

Firstly, the mention of direction in the hadiths often indicates the starting point of an event; however, Allah may not have specified why it would begin from that particular place. Indeed, the same signs of the Day of Judgment foretell the emergence of the Dajjal from the east, the coming of Gog (Yajuj) and Magog (Majuj) from a specific region, or the sun rising from the west. They are starting points determined by divine decree.

However, Yemen holds a special place in Islamic history and hadith. In his hadiths praising the people of Yemen, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:

“The people of Yemen have come to you. Their hearts are softer and more tender. Belief is from Yemen; wisdom is from Yemen.” (Bukhari, Manaqib 28; Muslim, Iman 84)

This hadith points to the virtue of Yemen, and there may be a reason why the wind that will take the spirits of believers specifically originates from there.

Some scholars have suggested that the frequent mention of Yemen in hadiths about the signs of the Day of Judgment indicates that it may be one of the starting points for some major events that will occur during that period.

For a believer, what matters more than the origin of the wind is the good news it brings because these narrations reveal a very subtle manifestation of Allah’s mercy. Although the Day of Judgment is a manifestation of divine wrath and majesty, Allah does not expose His believing servants to this great terror; instead, He takes their spirits beforehand by sending a wind softer than silk.

Thus, only those who remain in unbelief and wickedness will experience all the terrifying stages of the Day of Judgment. In this respect, the hadith should be understood as a great piece of good news showing Allah’s mercy and compassion toward His believing servants.

In conclusion, the phrase “wind coming from Yemen” in the hadith indicates the direction from which the wind will originate; it is not an expression that limits its area of influence.

Therefore, there is no contradiction regarding the taking of the spirits of believers living on different continents of the world.

The hadith informs us that just before the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty will cause all believers to die with His mercy, protecting them from the horrors of the Day of Judgment, and that the Day of Judgment will only befall those who remain in denial and wickedness.

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