Yusuf Taiwo, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana
Nowadays, the risk of nuclear war is ever-increasing, with the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists stating that the Doomsday Clock, which illustrates how close we are to a nuclear war, is 89 seconds to midnight, i.e., the apocalypse.
US President Donald Trump announced on 30 October 2025 that the US would “immediately” resume testing nuclear weapons, citing other countries’ testing programs as the reason. This decision comes after a 33-year gap since the US last conducted nuclear testing in 1992.
The type of testing Trump ordered is somewhat unclear, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright stating that the tests will likely involve system tests to ensure the functionality of nuclear weapons, rather than nuclear explosions. Wright mentioned that the tests will be carried out on new systems to help ensure replacement nuclear weapons are better than previous ones.
The announcement has sparked reactions among experts and world leaders, with some warning of a potential arms race and increased nuclear tensions.
Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, argues that the US has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing. The move has also drawn criticism from Representative Dina Titus, a Democrat from Nevada, who has pledged to introduce legislation to block the plan and prohibit funding for nuclear testing.
Regrettably, the action-reaction cycle of nuclear rivalries may lead other countries, like Russia and China to resume nuclear tests, driven by an inordinate desire to outstrip others in wealth, power and prestige. The Holy Quran warns about the dangers of such rivalry, stating:
أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ حَتَّى زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ
“Mutual rivalry in [seeking worldly] increase diverts you [from God]. Till you reach the graves.” (Surah at-Takathur, Ch.102: V.2-3)
This verse highlights the destructive consequences of unchecked competition and pursuit of power.
Quranic prophecy about the nuclear bomb
Since the last century, the unimaginable force of nuclear weapons has replaced the destructive power of a single bullet. 1,400 years ago, the Holy Quran made a striking prophecy that appears to foreshadow this unimaginable advancement in warfare.
“Woe to every backbiter, slanderer, who amasses wealth and counts it time after time. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. Nay! he shall surely be cast into the crushing punishment. And what should make thee know what the crushing punishment is? [It is] Allah’s kindled fire, which rises over the hearts. It will be closed in on them in [the form] of extended columns.” (Surah al-Humazah, Ch.104: V.2-8)
While explaining these verses, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, Khalifatul Masih IV, provided two meanings of hutamah: to “pulverize into extremely small particles” or “the smallest insignificant particle”. (Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth, 1998, pp. 613-614)
Although hutamah is described as a particle that exists in its most minute form, it is said to contain the potential of a raging fire within it; a fire which will directly seize the heart before even burning the exterior flesh, muscle and bone.
These verses give a perfect description of modern-day atomic bombs which are locked up in outstretched columns called the nuclear warheads.
Lastly, another sublime feature of this great prophecy is with regard to the people who will be subjected to this fire, describing them as those who amass their wealth and are immersed in material gains. Considering the fact that 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads are currently owned by the USA and Russia, with others including China, France and the UK, it is hardly a coincidence that these are the very nations devoid of spirituality and completely blind in their pursuit of wealth that it has ultimately brought the world to the brink of nuclear destruction.
Chekhov’s Law
Although nuclear warfare introduces new means of destruction, it does not necessarily add new incentives to use them. Over the last seventy years, mankind has broken Chekhov’s Law.
The Russian playwright Anton Pavlovich Chekhov famously said that a gun appearing in the first act of a play will inevitably be fired in the third.
Throughout history, we see that if kings and emperors acquired some new weapon, sooner or later they were tempted to use it. Since 1945, however, humankind has learned to resist this temptation. The gun that appeared in the first act of the Cold War was never fired.
By now we are accustomed to living in a world full of undropped bombs and unlaunched missiles, and have become experts in breaking the Chekhov Law. If these laws ever do catch up with us, it will be our own fault – not our inescapable destiny.
Five terrible catastrophes and World War III
The Promised Messiahas had received divine revelations about the major calamities that were to occur in the world. Five terrifying catastrophes have been especially mentioned among them. Hence, the Promised Messiahas stated:
“The Prophecy of the Almighty God Regarding the Coming of Five Earthquakes
“The Words of Which are ‘Five times shall I show you the dazzling manifestation of this Sign.’
“The meaning of this Divine revelation is that God Almighty says that, in order to bear witness to the truth of my claim, and so that people may realize that I am from Him, God Almighty will cause five terrifying earthquakes to appear, one following the other, at short intervals. They will bear witness to the truth of my claim, and each of them will display such radiance that the beholder will at once be reminded of God. Such a terrifying effect will they have on people’s hearts, and so extraordinary will be their power, intensity and devastation, that people beholding them will lose their very senses.” (Divine Manifestations [Tajalliyyat-e-Ilahiyyah], 2006, p. 1-2)
Describing the horror and intensity of these calamities, the Promised Messiahas stated:
“So know it with certainty that just as, in keeping with the prophecy, there have been earthquakes in America and also in Europe, so will they occur in different parts of Asia, and some of them will be like the Doomsday. There will be death on such a large scale that streams of blood will flow. Even birds and grazing animals will not escape this death. Such destruction will overtake the earth as has not happened since man was created. Most places will be turned upside down as if they had never been inhabited […] O Europe! You are not safe! And O Asia! Neither are you secure! And O the dwellers of Islands! No artificial ‘God’ will come to your aid. I see cities falling and habitations in ruin.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [Haqiqatul-Wahi], 2023, pp. 326-328)
It should not be assumed from the mention of earthquakes in these warning prophecies that these calamities will only manifest in the form of earthquakes. Rather, it can also mean other disasters that may spread destruction in a similar way to earthquakes. Clarifying this, the Promised Messiahas stated:
“And yet it is true that God’s words are often in the form of metaphors, as, for example, He says:
مَنْ كَانَ فِي هَذِهِ أَعْمَى فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى
“Whoso is blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter […]” (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch. 17: V.73)]
“Thus, even if there were no specific mention of the earthquake in any part of this prophecy, it would still constitute a very great sign; for, the crux of the prophecy is the extraordinary and unparalleled destruction and places, regardless of whether it comes about through an earthquake or other means.” (Appendix to Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V [English], 2018, p. 232)
With regard to these prophecies, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa states:
“In exact accordance with the news of the unseen that was revealed to the Promised Messiahas by Allah the Exalted, the world has witnessed the fulfilment of the four signs in the form of two world wars, a plague epidemic, and extraordinary earthquakes that have occurred in most parts of the world, causing unprecedented damage to human and animal lives, birds, and infrastructure.
“Allah the Exalted had informed the Promised Messiahas about the manifestation of five signs in particular. Allah knows best how the fifth sign will manifest itself and cause destruction in the world; whether it will be in the form of an extraordinary earthquake, a global pandemic, or a third world war.
“However, it is clear as day that if the world does not use its wisdom and does not turn to its Creator, then, just as the first four signs have been fulfilled, the fifth sign will also be fulfilled, and then, as Allah the Exalted has promised through these prophecies, Islam will prevail with an extraordinary triumph. Insha-Allah.” (“Answers to Everyday Issues – Part 50: World War III, Jinn, Hur al-‘Ayn, adopting husband’s surname”, alhakam.org, 10 March 2023)
Devastating consequences of nuclear warfare
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has continuously warned world leaders about the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare and the possible outbreak of another world war. Hence, Huzooraa stated:
“In today’s world, one terrifying manifestation of God’s Decree could be in the shape of another world war. There is no doubt that the effects of such a war and its destruction will not be limited to the war itself or even to this generation. In fact, its horrific consequences will be exhibited for many generations to come.
“Just one tragic consequence of such a war will be the effect it will have on new-born children, both now and in the future. The weapons available today are so destructive that they could lead to generation after generation of children being born with severe genetic or physical defects.” (World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, 2017, pp. 50-51)
Recounting the horrific devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which occurred in 1945, Huzooraa states:
“Even today when you visit Japan and meet its people, you see an absolute fear and hatred of war visible in their eyes and from what they say. Yet the nuclear bombs that were used at that time and which caused widespread devastation, were much less powerful than the atomic weapons that are possessed by even very small nations today.” (Ibid.)
Similarly, he stated:
“Whilst perhaps the major powers keep nuclear weapons as a deterrent, there is no guarantee that the smaller countries will show such restraint. We cannot take it for granted that they will never use nuclear weapons. Thus, it is clear that the world stands on the brink of disaster.” (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivers historic address in Tokyo, Japan”, pressahmadiyya.com, 25 November 2015)
Furthermore, aside from heightening tensions and a greater risk of nuclear conflict, nuclear weapons testing can have devastating environmental impacts, including radioactive fallout and contamination.
We have already witnessed such catastrophes, such as the nuclear accident that occurred in 1986 in Chernobyl, in what is now Ukraine. When such events happen, then it is also very difficult to repopulate the affected regions.
With nuclear-armed nations on the rise, the world is teetering on the brink of disaster. Will nations prioritise power and prestige over human lives? Will they learn from history and heed to warnings given by the Khalifa?
There are only so many mistakes the world can make before things turn fatal.