SAEDNEWS: In Arabic, the word Dajjal refers to a liar and a great deceiver. According to Islamic belief, Dajjal will appear before the emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS) and deceive many people.
According to Saednews, Dajjal is a figure believed to emerge near the end of time, before the appearance of Imam Mahdi (AS). According to Islamic traditions, he possesses extraordinary abilities and performs astonishing acts that deceive large numbers of people. Ultimately, he will be defeated by Jesus Christ (Prophet Isa, AS) near the Gate of Lydda (Lod) in the region of Syria (the Levant).
Several interpretations of Dajjal exist. Some scholars consider him an actual individual, while others interpret him as a movement, an ideology, or a widespread system of deception rather than a single person.
According to Islamic narrations, Dajjal will emerge before the appearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), possibly from the region of Khorasan. Through extraordinary and deceptive displays, he will mislead many people and attract a large following.
Dajjal is believed to appear in Jerusalem, where he will claim to possess divine authority. After ruling for either 40 days or 40 years, according to different narrations, he will eventually be destroyed by Prophet Jesus (Isa, AS), alongside Imam Mahdi (AS).
The Arabic expression Al-Masih al-Dajjal means "The False Messiah." It is believed to have been used approximately 400 years before Islam as an Arabic translation of the Syriac expression Mšīḥā Daggālā. In Persian, the term is associated with the Antichrist, while its Greek equivalent is Antichristos.
According to a narration attributed to Imam Ali (AS), Dajjal has no right eye, while his other eye is located on his forehead and shines like the morning star. His eye is described as appearing bloodshot.
He is said to emerge during a severe famine and ride a white donkey. Dajjal will reportedly shout so loudly that his voice can be heard across the East and West by humans, jinn, and devils. He will call out:
"O my followers! Come to me!"
He will claim divine authority and invite people to worship him, declaring:
"I am your supreme Lord."
In Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) describes Dajjal as a stout, reddish-complexioned man with curly hair and one defective eye. His eye is compared to a floating grape.
Some accounts identify Dajjal as "Sa'id ibn Sayd" or "Ibn Sayyad," although other scholars disagree with this identification.
Dajjal is mentioned in Islamic traditions, with numerous narrations concerning him found in both Sunni and Shia sources. Many Shia narrations about Dajjal are derived from or share similarities with Sunni hadith collections.
References to the Antichrist also appear in Christian scripture, where the concept is associated with deception, falsehood, and misleading people. Beliefs concerning the emergence of an Antichrist figure were also present among early Christian communities.
In several Islamic narrations, the appearance of Dajjal is considered one of the significant signs preceding the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS). He is portrayed as a cunning deceiver who will attract many followers through lies and manipulation.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reportedly said:
"Every prophet after Noah warned his people about the trial of Dajjal, and I too warn you against him."
According to narrations attributed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the emergence of Dajjal is among the signs of the End Times and the appearance of Imam Mahdi (AS).
Dajjal is described as a one-eyed individual with an unpleasant appearance and curly hair.
Some narrations state that before his emergence and eventual rule over humanity, Dajjal lives on an island in the Indian Ocean, where mysterious music can reportedly be heard and evil spirits provide him with food.
Shia narrations contain various accounts concerning Dajjal. According to these traditions, he will emerge during a period when corruption and sin become widespread, and people begin to regard good as evil and evil as good.
Numerous narrations concerning Dajjal have been recorded by prominent Sunni scholars and hadith collectors, including:
Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj in Sahih Muslim
Ibn Majah in Sunan Ibn Majah
Ahmad ibn Hanbal in Musnad Ahmad
Al-Tirmidhi in his hadith collection
Ibn al-Athir in Al-Nihayah
These narrations are attributed to companions and transmitters such as Abdullah ibn Umar, Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, and Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari.
One controversial figure associated with Dajjal is Sa'id ibn Sayyad, also known as Ibn Sayyad, who lived during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Prophet reportedly questioned him about his identity and discussed the possibility of his connection to Dajjal.
Because the Prophet also foretold the emergence of Dajjal in the End Times, some people believed that Ibn Sayyad was the very individual destined to become Dajjal. This led to speculation about his extraordinary longevity and continued existence.
Some Islamic writers, however, interpret Dajjal symbolically rather than identifying him as one particular individual. According to this interpretation, the term represents deceptive and manipulative individuals or forces that use every possible means to mislead humanity.
In this broader understanding, Dajjal represents the blending of truth and falsehood to advance evil and destructive objectives.
Numerous Islamic narrations emphasize that the emergence of Dajjal is an inevitable event associated with the End Times.
Imam Ali (AS), narrating from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), reportedly mentioned:
"Before the Hour (the Day of Judgment), ten inevitable events will occur, including the emergence of the Sufyani and the appearance of Dajjal..."
The trial of Dajjal is described as an extraordinary and unparalleled tribulation. Its influence will be so extensive and destructive that all the prophets warned their followers against it.
In a narration attributed to the final Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), he stated:
"Every prophet who came after Noah warned his people about Dajjal, and I too warn you against him."
He then added that some people who were present to see or hear him might live long enough to witness Dajjal's emergence.
His companions asked:
"O Messenger of Allah, what will our hearts be like on that day?"
He replied that their hearts would remain as they were, or even stronger and more steadfast.
According to a narration attributed to Imam Ali (AS):
"He will emerge from a city beyond the region of Transoxiana and from a village known as Yahudiyah."
Other narrations identify different possible places of origin, including:
Isfahan
Khorasan
Sistan (Sijistan)
These differing geographical accounts reflect the variety of traditions concerning Dajjal's emergence.
A significant number of narrations about Dajjal appear in the hadith collections of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, and Ibn al-Athir.
One recurring subject is Sa'id ibn Sayyad, who lived during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Some people believed that he might be the prophesied Dajjal because of the Prophet's discussions and warnings concerning him.
Other Muslim writers interpret the word Dajjal more broadly, suggesting that it does not necessarily refer to one specific person. Instead, they understand it as a general designation for individuals or forces characterized by extreme deception, manipulation, and fraud.
From this perspective, Dajjal represents the manipulation of truth through falsehood and the use of apparently truthful claims to achieve evil objectives.
Shia narrations also contain numerous accounts concerning Dajjal. According to these traditions, he will emerge at a time when wrongdoing becomes widespread, people commit numerous sins, and moral values are reversed.
One narration attributed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states:
"Allah did not send any prophet without warning his people about Dajjal. Allah has postponed his emergence until this time. If his identity becomes confusing to you, remember that your Lord is not one-eyed.
Dajjal will emerge riding a donkey whose distance between its ears is one mile. Along with him will be what appears to be Paradise and Hell, a mountain of bread, and a river of water.
Most of his followers will reportedly be Jews, women, and Arabs. He will travel to nearly every part of the world except Mecca and Medina and their surrounding areas."
These narrations portray Dajjal as a major source of deception and spiritual corruption whose emergence will test the faith and judgment of humanity before the Day of Judgment.
