Comet Lemmon’s Return: A Celestial Sign for Islamic and Christian End-Times Beliefs?

By Nathan Cross

This October, a rare celestial visitor will light up our skies: Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), discovered in January by Arizona’s Mount Lemmon Observatory. Visible to the naked eye at its peak, it will glow low in the western sky after sunset, tracing a path through constellations like Ophiuchus and Scorpius, closest to Earth on October 21 and nearest the sun on November 8. For stargazers, it’s a breathtaking event, but its deeper significance lies in its history: last seen around 629 CE, during the Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime, this comet may echo a “long-haired star” noted by chroniclers of that era. For the Islamic world, its return could stir expectations of the Mahdi, a messianic figure tied to end-times prophecies. For Christians, it raises questions about parallels to biblical warnings of the Antichrist. These insights invite reflection for readers of all backgrounds.

A Star from Muhammad’s Era

In 616–617 CE, as Muhammad faced persecution in Mecca, a “long-haired star” (kawkab dhū dhawāʾib) appeared in the eastern sky, according to Islamic historian al-Tabari (839–923 CE). Seen as a divine sign by some and an omen of turmoil by others, it marked a turbulent time just before Muhammad’s migration to Medina in 622 CE, a pivotal moment in early Islam. This celestial event coincided with the Year of Sorrow (619 CE), when Muhammad lost his wife Khadijah and uncle Abu Talib, deepening the stakes of his mission. Beyond Arabia, the comet left its mark elsewhere. Byzantine chronicler Theophanes the Confessor records a “blazing star” in 616 CE, amid Emperor Heraclius’s desperate wars against the Sassanid Persians, interpreting it as a sign of imperial decline. Similarly, Chinese annals from the Sui Dynasty (589–618 CE) note a “broom star” visible for over a month, linked to dynastic strife and political upheaval. These diverse accounts suggest a single, striking comet that captivated observers across continents.

Comet Lemmon’s orbital period, estimated at approximately 1,350–1,400 years, aligns its last appearance with 629 CE—within Muhammad’s lifetime (570–632 CE). This timing places it close to the earlier sighting, though exact orbital perturbations over centuries make a precise match uncertain. Its return in 2025, after 14 centuries of silence, comes at a time of global tension, prompting speculation about its role as a prophetic marker. Whether it is the same comet or a cosmic cousin, its historical echo invites exploration of its potential significance in religious traditions.

Islamic Eschatology: The Mahdi and the Tailed Star

Islamic eschatology, rooted in the Quran and hadiths (sayings of Muhammad), outlines a series of signs preceding the end times (Qiyamah), including moral decay, widespread conflict, and celestial phenomena. The Quran speaks of stars falling and skies splitting (Surah Al-Takwir 81:1–2), setting a tone of cosmic upheaval. A specific prophecy, particularly prominent in Shia traditions like Bihar al-Anwar, describes a “star with a luminous tail” rising from the east as a harbinger of the Mahdi. This messianic figure, believed to descend from Muhammad’s lineage, is expected to emerge from Mecca or Medina to unite the Muslim world, restore justice, rule for seven to nine years, and conquer Jerusalem. Sunni sources, such as Ibn Hajar al-Haythami’s Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, echo this expectation, though details vary. The comet is often associated with other signs, such as rare Ramadan eclipses or regional conflicts involving figures like the Sufyani in Syria, creating a complex tapestry of prophetic events.

Comet Lemmon’s trajectory—rising northeast in late September and shifting west by October—closely resembles the “luminous tail” imagery of these prophecies. Its appearance in Hijri 1447, amid a volatile geopolitical landscape, could significantly amplify its prophetic weight. The Middle East, a region steeped in eschatological anticipation, is currently marked by Syria’s protracted civil war, Iran’s aggressive expansion through proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis, and escalating tensions with Israel, including recent skirmishes along the Gaza and Lebanon borders. Globally, the world grapples with economic instability and superpower rivalries—Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, and U.S. diplomatic strains—all of which align with the hadith-predicted chaos preceding the Mahdi. In this context, Lemmon’s glow might be seized upon by influential figures, particularly in Shia-dominated Iran or Iraq, where the Twelfth Imam’s return is a central hope, to declare the Mahdi’s imminent arrival. Such a move could unify disparate factions under a messianic banner, potentially igniting a broader Islamic revival or caliphate movement. However, this could also deepen Sunni-Shia divides, as interpretations of the Mahdi differ, or embolden extremist groups like ISIS remnants to exploit the sign for recruitment and violence. Historical parallels, such as Halley’s Comet in 1986 following 1981–82 eclipses, which some linked to Mahdi expectations, suggest that Lemmon could similarly galvanize the Islamic world, reshaping its eschatological narrative and influencing global perceptions of Islamic resurgence. For some, Lemmon may be a call to faith and unity; for others, a spark for division or extremism, highlighting the varied responses it might evoke across the Islamic world.

Christian Eschatology: Echoes of the Antichrist

For Christians, Comet Lemmon’s return prompts a different perspective, rooted in biblical end-times prophecy. Scripture warns of the Antichrist, a deceptive figure who emerges amid chaos, brokers a false peace (Daniel 9:27), rules for a short period, and targets Jerusalem (Revelation 13:1–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4). The Mahdi’s profile—unifying the world under Islam, reigning seven years, conquering Jerusalem, and partnering with a “false Jesus” (Isa) who denies Christ’s divinity—bears striking similarities. In Islamic tradition, Isa defeats the Dajjal (a one-eyed deceiver akin to the Antichrist), but his role as the Mahdi’s enforcer echoes the biblical false prophet’s miracles (Revelation 13:13). This parallel suggests a potential overlap between Islamic and Christian eschatological narratives.

Lemmon’s timing adds intrigue. Appearing 1,400 years after Islam’s founding and within a generation of Israel’s 1948 rebirth (Matthew 24:34), it coincides with global crises—wars, economic instability, and Middle East volatility. A Mahdi figure might leverage the comet as a divine sign, uniting factions and offering a deceptive peace with Israel, aligning with the Antichrist’s early role. The comet’s historical tie to Muhammad’s era could enhance its symbolic weight, drawing attention to prophetic convergence. However, Christian theology cautions against over-interpretation. Not every celestial event signals the end; comets like Hale-Bopp (1997) sparked speculation without fulfillment. Believers are urged to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and avoid date-setting, focusing instead on discernment and readiness. For Christians, Lemmon’s glow serves as a reminder to study Scripture and pray, especially for those drawn to messianic hopes apart from Christ.