Ad-Dajjaal is derived from the Arabic word “Dajal”, which means “lying”, and it is the proper name of a person who will come out near the end of time. Allah The Exalted Will Give him supernatural powers, and He Will Make him a trial and affliction for people. He will claim divinity and will ask people to worship him instead of Allah The Almighty. He will be a great trial for humankind, because his emergence will shake people’s beliefs and raise serious doubts as to the creed. Consequently, he will persuade some people to believe in him, while others will follow him in hope or out of fear. On the other hand, some people will realize that he is a liar and they will either escape from him or even defy and resist him.
All the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, have warned their nations from him generally, but the Prophet spoke in detail about the dire threat he poses to people’s creed and religion, as well as his physical description, supernatural abilities and deceptive methods. The Prophet also referred to his followers, the period that he will stay on earth, how he will die, and who is going to kill him. All these things were accurately detailed in the prophetic Hadeeths, which covered the whole life of Ad-Dajjaal; and the Prophet did so to advise his Ummah and shield its religion from doubts.
In this article, we will speak in detail about Ad-Dajjaal.
The Prophet warned his Ummah about Ad-Dajjaal:
Although Ad-Dajjaal will emerge near the end of time just prior to the coming of the Final Hour, the Prophet as well as the prophets who preceded him, warned their nations about him strongly to the extent that the Prophet sought refuge in Allah The Exalted from him along with the torment of the grave. Certainly, this confirms that his danger and evil are mortal because he will suggest doubts to people’s religion and make them mistrust their Lord The Almighty. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet used to supplicate saying, “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave, the torment of the Fire, the trials and tribulations of life and death, and the evil affliction of Al-Maseeh Ad-Dajjaal.” [Al-Bukhari]
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, also reported that the Prophet stood up amongst the people and then praised and glorified Allah The Almighty as He Deserves and then he mentioned Ad-Dajjaal, saying, "I warn you about him, and there was no prophet but he warned his followers about him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet stated that Ad-Dajjaal is the greatest trial that people would ever face since the creation of Aadam, may Allah exalt his mention, until the Day of Judgment. ‘Imraan ibn Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet said, "There is nothing between the creation of Aadam and the Day of Judgment greater than the Antichrist." [Muslim]
When and where will Ad-Dajjaal emerge?
According to the Hadeeth of Tameem Ad-Daari, may Allah be pleased with him, that was narrated in Saheeh Muslim, Ad-Dajjaal has existed since the time of the Prophet and probably before that, and he is imprisoned in an island somewhere in the sea. The same Hadeeth also states that Ad-Dajjaal will remain on this island until Allah The Exalted Gives him permission to emerge near the end of time, when wars and trials would be rampant, and when people would suffer from infirm belief and lack of knowledge.
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet told his companions that “the Muslims would conquer a city, with one side in the land and the other in the sea, and that Allah The Almighty Would Give them victory. Then, while they would be collecting and distributing the spoils of war, a voice would be heard crying out that: Verily, Ad-Dajjaal has emerged. Thus, they would leave everything and return.” [Muslim]
In addition, the Hadeeth of Huthayfah ibn Usayd, may Allah be pleased with him, proves that the emergence of Ad-Dajjaal would be one of the greatest events that indicate that the Final Hour has become so close. He said: The Messenger of Allah came upon us while we were busy in a discussion. He said: What are you talking about? They (the Companions) said: We are talking about the Last Hour. Thereupon he said: It will not come until you see ten signs before. He mentioned the smoke, Ad-Dajjaal, the Beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the descent of ‘Eesa, son of Mary, may Allah exalt his mention, the [emergence of] Gog and Magog, and landslides in three places, one in the east, one in the west and one in Arabia, at the end of which a fire that would burn forth from the Yemen, and would drive people to the place of their assembly.” [Muslim]
Scholars disagreed over the sequence of the occurrence of these signs; however, some scholars confirmed that the emergence of Ad-Dajjaal will occur first, as stated by Al-Qurtubi in his book At-Tathkirah.
As for the place where Ad-Dajjaal will emerge, Hadeeths stated that Ad-Dajjaal would come out from the East in a land called Khuraasaan, and precisely in the city of Yahoodiyyah in Asbahaan (currently Iran).
Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet said, “Ad-Dajjaal emerge from the East in a land called Khuraasaan." [At-Tirmithi]
In a Hadeeth on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet said, “Ad-Dajjaal will emerge from [the city of] Yahoodiyyah [in] Asbahaan, accompanied by seventy thousand Jews.” [Ahmad]
Yahoodiyyah (meaning the Jewish city) was known by this name because its population was mainly Jews. However, the Muslims later lived in it and the Jews lived together in a separate part of it.
The physical description of Ad-Dajjaal:
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) accurately mentioned the physical description of Ad-Dajjaal referring to his unique physical characteristics and even likened him to some people whom the Companions knew so that people would know him for sure without any ambiguity. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said that he is one-eyed and that his right eye is protruding like a floating grape.
In a Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “Ad-Dajjaal is blind in the right eye and his eye looks like a floating grape." [Al-Bukhari]
As for his left eye, Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “Ad-Dajjaal has a leveled left eye, with a Thafirah on it (a tumor-like piece of skin that grows near the inner corner of the eyes),and ‘Kaafir’ is written between his eyes.” [Ahmad in Al-Musnad]
Another narration about the physical description of Ad-Dajjaal reads, “It is written between his eyes “Kaafir” (i.e. disbeliever) that could be read by every Muslim.” [Al-Bukhari]
Imaam An-Nawawi may Allah have mercy upon him said, “The sound opinion that was adopted by the senior scholars is that this word is actually not metaphorically written, and that Allah The Almighty Made it one of the definite and unmistakable signs of his Kufr, lying and invalid claims. Allah The Almighty Will Make this word legible to every Muslim whether literate or illiterate, while it will be illegible to those whom Allah The Exalted Wanted to put to trial and affliction.”
He was also described as being fleshy, with a red complexion (i.e. white in the Arabic culture) and curled hair. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “…a man with a huge body, red complexion and curly hair …. the man he resembled most is Ibn Qatan, a man from Banu Al-Mustaliq from the tribe of Khuzaa‘ah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) also said that his head looks like an ’Asalah (a kind of snake that is short with a very large head. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) likened the head of Ad-Dajjaal to this kind of snake due to its large size and rounded shape). [Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan]
According to Hadeeths, Ad-Dajjaal is also “short and bowlegged.” [Abu Daawood]
Hence, we can sum up all the pervious physical characteristics to say that Ad-Dajjaal is a stumpy man with a large head. His eyes are both defective, because the right one is blind and looks like a floating grape, and the left one is leveled, with a tumor-like piece of skin covering it. His hair is thick and curly and he is white and bowlegged. The word “Kaafir” is written between his eyes.
Ad-Dajjaal cannot enter Makkah or Al-Madeenah:
Allah The Almighty Shielded both Makkah and Al-Madeenah against Ad-Dajjaal to re-affirm their sanctity, prove the validity of the Muslims’ religion, expose the inability of Ad-Dajjaal, and refute his Kufr. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “There are at the approaches of Al-Madeenah angels so that plague and Ad-Dajjaal shall not penetrate into it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Faatimah bint Qays, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that Tameem Ad-Daari told the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) that Ad-Dajjaal told him, “…I shall leave and travel in the land, and will not spare any town where I would not stay for forty nights except Makkah and Taybah (Al-Madeenah) as these two (places) are prohibited (areas) for me…” [Muslim]
Furthermore, even the terror caused by Ad-Dajjaal cannot enter Al-Madeenah, as Abu Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “The terror caused by Ad-Dajjaal will not enter Al-Madeenah and at that time Al-Madeenah will have seven gates and there will be two angels at each gate (guarding them).” [Al-Bukhari]
When Ad-Dajjaal would approach Al-Madeenah, one of its believers would get out to refute his claim and expose his fraud and lying. Abu Sa‘eed, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “Ad-Dajjaal will come and will be forbidden to enter the mountain passes of Al-Madeenah. He will encamp in one of the salt areas neighboring Al-Madeenah and there will appear to him a man who will be the best or one of the best of the people. He will say 'I testify that you are Ad-Dajjaal whose story the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) has told us.' Ad-Dajjaal will say (to his audience), 'Look, if I kill this man and then give him life, will you have any doubt about my claim?' They will reply, 'No,' Then Ad-Dajjaal will kill that man and then will make him alive. The man will say, 'By Allah, now I recognize you more than ever!' Ad-Dajjaal will then try to kill him (again) but he will not be given the power to do so.” [Al-Bukhari]
With regard to the hypocrites of Al-Madeenah and its disbelieving residents, the city will be shaken thrice spitting them out to follow Ad-Dajjaal.
Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “…then he (Ad-Dajjaal) would appear in a barren place adjacent to Al-Madeenah and it would rock three times so that every unbeliever and hypocrite would leave it towards him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Ad-Dajjaal is also prohibited from entering Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and Masjid At-Toor, as the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “Ad-Dajjaal will not approach four Masjids: Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, Masjid Al-Madeenah, Masjid At-Toor and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa.” [Al-Haythami in Al-Majma‘ and Ahmad on the authority of the narrators who are approved by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The supernatural abilities of Ad-Dajjaal:
The trial of Ad-Dajjaal is not related to his appearance or speech, but rather in the supernatural abilities and events that occur at his hands. These abilities deceive people and make them believe in Ad-Dajjaal and follow him. For example, he has water that appears to people as having the ability to quench thirst, and a fire that appears to people as having the ability to burn. However, this is unreal, because his fire is actually water and his water is actually fire. Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “He [Ad-Dajjaal] will appear, and with him will be water and fire, but his water will in fact be a burning fire, and his fire will in fact be cool water.” [Al-Bukhari]
Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “I am more knowledgeable about what there would be with Ad-Dajjaal than he does. There would be with him two rivers; one of them the eye will perceive it to be flowing with clear water and the other the eye will perceive it to be a burning fire. He who witnesses this amongst you should go to the river that he perceives to be fire and close his eyes and lower his head and drink from it, for it is cool water.” [Muslim]
He will be accompanied by mountains of bread and his supernatural powers include the ability to command the sky to rain and the earth to grow plants and he also orders the earth to extract its hidden treasures, and they will come out and follow him. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “He will be accompanied by rivers of water and mountains of bread.” [Ahmad]
An-Nawwaas ibn Sam‘aan, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) mentioned the trial of Ad-Dajjaal and said, “Then he will go to other people and ask them to follow him but they will reject him and refuse his talk; then he will leave them and their possessions will follow him. They will wake up to find themselves possessing nothing of their money. Then, he will go to some people and ask them to follow him and they will believe in him and obey him. He will then order the sky to rain and it will rain, and order the land to produce plants and it will produce. Hence, their pastures will be more productive, the udders of the cattle will have plenty of milk, and their flocks will multiply. He will pass by a ruin and say to it, ‘Get out your treasures [the metals buried inside you].’ Then its treasures will follow him just as bees follow their leader. He will call a youthful man and he will strike him with the sword and cut him into two pieces. Then he will call him and the man will come to him with a smiling cheerful face.” [Muslim]
Undoubtedly, this is a great trial that tempts whoever does not know the reality of Ad-Dajjaal, but those who read the Hadeeths of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) and believe in them, would be steadfast, because the reality of Ad-Dajjaal would be clear for them like the sun at noon.
How long will Ad-Dajjaal stay?
Out of His Mercy, Allah The Almighty Will Make the stay of Ad-Dajjaal short. According to a prophetic Hadeeth, “He (Ad-Dajjaal) will stay on earth for forty days.” [Al-Haythami in Al-Majma‘ and Ahmad on the authority of narrators who are approved by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
These days are not equal in length, as the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, asked the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ): how long would he stay on earth? He said, “For forty days, one day like a year and one day like a month and one day like a week and the rest of the days would be like your days.” We said: O Messenger of Allah, would one day's prayer suffice for the prayers of the day equal to one year? Thereupon he said: No, but you must make an estimate of time (and then observe prayer). We said: O Messenger of Allah, how quickly would he walk upon the earth? Thereupon he said: Like cloud driven by the wind.” [Muslim]
This Hadeeth indicates that the time of Ad-Dajjaal will pass quickly and that his trial will not last long. Hence, the Muslim is only required to be patient, because this trial should end soon. Of course, this is out of the Mercy of Allah The Exalted upon His slaves; otherwise, if the stay of Ad-Dajjaal were long, this would be extremely difficult for people, and many of them would follow him including some of those who initially resisted him. It is known that a long time can establish many invalid claims.
Protection against Ad-Dajjaal:
Although the trial of Ad-Dajjaal is very difficult, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) taught us how to protect ourselves from it. In light of the Sunnah, the most important ways to protect us against the great trial of Ad-Dajjaal are:
1- Committing the physical description of Ad-Dajjaal to memory: The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) was very keen on telling the Muslims about the unique physical characteristics of Ad-Dajjaal, so that when he emerges people would know him for sure. That is why scholars stressed the importance of spreading the prophetic Hadeeths that speak about Ad-Dajjaal to urge the Ummah to know him and memorize these Hadeeths.
2- Ask for the protection of Allah The Exalted against Ad-Dajjaal, especially in the Prayers, as the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) used to supplicate in his prayers, “Oh Allah! I seek Your Protection against the torment of the grave and against the trial of Ad-Dajjaal.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) also urged us to make this supplication always after the Tashahhud in prayer. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “When anyone of you is finished with saying Tashahhud [in Prayers], he should ask for the Protection of Allah against four things saying: ‘Oh my Lord! I seek Your Protection against the torment of Hell, the torment of the grave, the trial of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of Ad-Dajjaal.” [Muslim]
3- Learn by heart and recite the first ten verses of the Soorah of Al-Kahf. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Ad-Dardaa’, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “The one who has memorized the first ten verses of the Soorah of Al-Kahf will be protected from Ad-Dajjaal (from his trials).” [Muslim] Imaam An-Nawawi may Allah have mercy upon him commented, “These ten verses speak about miracles and signs, so whoever contemplates them will not be affected by the trial of Ad-Dajjaal.”
4- Flee from Ad-Dajjaal and keep far away from him when he emerges: The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “Whoever hears of Ad-Dajjaal, let him keep far away from him, for by Allah, a man will come to him thinking himself to be a believer but will follow him because of the doubts that he will raise.” [Abu Daawood]
5- Doing good deeds and busying oneself in worship: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: The rising of the sun from the west, the smoke, Ad-Dajjaal, the Beast and (the death) of one of you, or public turmoil.” [Muslim]
The end of Ad-Dajjaal:
Out of His Mercy, Allah The Almighty Would Make the end of Ad-Dajjaal at the hand of ‘Eesa (Jesus), may Allah exalt his mention. The coincidence between the descent of ‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention, and the emergence of Ad-Dajjaal would strengthen the Muslims, as they would take him as a role model. In addition, ‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention, would refute the deceptive claims of Ad-Dajjaal with the signs of guidance. Hence, Allah The Exalted Would Give ‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention, the power to chase and kill Ad-Dajjaal at Baab Ludd (a mountain in Ash-Shaam region) saving people from his evils.
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “…and then ‘Eesa son of Maryam would descend …. when the enemy of Allah would see him, he would dissolve just as salt dissolves in water and if he (‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention) were not to confront him at all, he would dissolve until he perishes, but Allah would kill him by his (‘Eesa’s) hand and he would show them their blood on his lance (the lance of ‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention).” [Muslim]
An-Nawwaas ibn Sam‘aan, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “…then ‘Eesa, son of Maryam, will descend at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus. He will then search for Ad-Dajjaal until he will catch hold of him at the Gate of Ludd, and will kill him.” [Abu Daawood]
Following the death of Ad-Dajjaal and what follows of the destruction of Gog and Magog, peace would reign on earth and people would lead a luxurious life safe from Fitnahs. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, “The Prophets are paternal brothers and their mothers are different. I, more than any of humankind, have more right to ‘Eesa, son of Maryam. He will descend, and if you see him, know him. He is a well-built man, (the color of his skin) between red and white. His head appears to be dripping water, even though no moisture touched it. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and banish the Jizyah and will call the people to Islam. During his time, Allah Will Destroy all religions except Islam and Allah will destroy the one-eyed and liar Al-Maseeh Ad-Dajjaal. Allah The Almighty Will then Send safety on the earth, so much so that lions will mingle with camels, tigers with cattle and wolves with sheep. Children will play with snakes, and they will not harm them.” [At-Tayaalisi and Ibn Hibbaan]
This is the accursed Ad-Dajjaal, whom Allah The Almighty Would Make a trial for His servants to test the strength of their faith, certitude and adherence to their religion. No one would be saved from this trial except those who sought shelter in adherence to the Book of Allah and Sunnah of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ).
