The Anti-Christ and the Boundaries of Revelation

Matters of the Unseen and the Boundaries Set by Revelation

When dealing with matters that belong to the unseen (al-ghayb), it is absolutely essential that a believer restrains themselves to the Book of Allah ﷻ and the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ. The unseen is, by definition, beyond human perception, experimentation, logic, and independent reasoning.

It includes realities that cannot be accessed through intellect, science, emotions, visions, political analysis, or personal experiences. Examples of the unseen include what happens in the grave, the stages of the Day of Judgment, the nature of Paradise and Hellfire, the appearance of major signs of the Hour, and the trials that will unfold at the end of time.

None of these realities can be known accurately unless Allah ﷻ informs us of them through revelation. Any attempt to speak about these matters outside of revelation is speculation and conjecture. This is why Allah ﷻ repeatedly connects guidance to revelation and warns against speaking about Him without knowledge. When people move beyond the Qur’an and Sunnah in matters of the unseen, they inevitably fall into exaggeration, distortion, and misguidance, even if their intentions appear sincere.

The Dajjal as a Matter of the Unseen and the Problem of Storytelling

Among the most serious matters of the unseen is the reality of al-Masih ad-Dajjal. Allah ﷻ revealed knowledge of the Dajjal to His Messenger ﷺ, and the Prophet ﷺ conveyed that knowledge faithfully and clearly to his Ummah. This knowledge is not open to interpretation through imagination or modern events.

However, when people discuss the Dajjal today, many do not restrict themselves to revelation. Instead, they embellish the story with dramatic additions, emotional storytelling, speculative symbolism, and political reinterpretations. These additions often sound compelling, frightening, or exciting, which is why they spread quickly, especially on social media and video platforms.

But despite how engaging such narratives may be, there is no goodness in adding to what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have already explained. These embellishments dilute clarity, create confusion, and can mislead people into misunderstanding the actual nature of the trial.

Misinterpretations and Modern Reframing of the Dajjal

In modern times, some people have attempted to interpret the Dajjal as a metaphor rather than a real individual. Others have identified him with specific countries, political systems, technologies, or global powers. While these interpretations may feel relevant to current events, they are not rooted in the textual descriptions provided by the Prophet ﷺ.

When one listens carefully to the words of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it becomes very clear that the Dajjal is a real human being, with a physical form, specific attributes, and a defined sequence of actions. The Prophet ﷺ did not leave this matter vague or symbolic. For this reason, much of what is circulated today in lectures, podcasts, and YouTube videos about the Dajjal is, for the most part, incorrect. It often reflects people projecting contemporary fears onto prophecy rather than understanding prophecy on its own terms.

The Greatest Trial in Human History

The Prophet ﷺ emphasized repeatedly that the trial of the Dajjal is unparalleled. He stated that since Allah ﷻ created Adam and his offspring, no trial has ever occurred on the face of the earth greater than the trial of the Dajjal, and no trial will ever occur greater than it until the Day of Judgment.

This statement alone shows the severity of what humanity will face. Wars, plagues, famines, oppression, and disasters—all of them combined do not equal the trial of the Dajjal. His trial targets faith itself, not merely physical safety or worldly comfort. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ further explained that whoever is able to remain firm through the earlier trials that precede the Dajjal—the minor signs and tribulations leading up to his emergence—will, by the permission of Allah, be protected from the Dajjal himself. This shows that spiritual resilience is built gradually, not suddenly.

Universal Prophetic Warning Against the Dajjal

Every prophet sent by Allah warned his people about the Dajjal. From the earliest nations to the final Ummah, the Dajjal was mentioned as a future danger. However, as the end of time drew nearer, Allah revealed increasingly detailed information to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Because the Prophet ﷺ is the final messenger and his Ummah will witness the final stages of history, he was given the most comprehensive description of the Dajjal.

The Prophet ﷺ spoke about him so often and in such detail that the Companions feared he might appear during their own lifetime. This repetition was intentional. The Prophet ﷺ wanted to ensure that there would be no confusion about who the Dajjal is, how he will appear, and how believers can protect themselves from him.

The First False Claim: Prophethood

The Dajjal will begin his deception by claiming that he is a prophet. This claim alone is sufficient to expose his falsehood to anyone firmly grounded in Islamic belief. One of the most fundamental principles of Islam is that there is no prophet after Muhammad ﷺ. This is not a minor detail; it is a cornerstone of faith.

Anyone who claims prophethood after the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is automatically a liar, regardless of miracles, charisma, or apparent success. The Prophet ﷺ warned that the Dajjal will use deception, persuasion, and confusion to attract followers, which is why believers must internalize this principle long before the Dajjal appears.

The Second False Claim: Lordship

After failing to deceive everyone with the claim of prophethood, the Dajjal will escalate his deception and claim, “I am your Lord.” At this stage, the trial will intensify dramatically. Believers must remember the second foundational truth: Allah cannot be seen in this worldly life. The true vision of Allah will only occur after death, and it will be granted as an honor to the believers in the Hereafter. The Dajjal’s claim to divinity will contradict this absolute truth. No matter what he displays or performs, he cannot be Allah ﷻ.

The Physical Defect That Exposes the Dajjal

The Prophet ﷺ gave a precise physical description of the Dajjal to remove all ambiguity. He described him as being blind in his right eye. Although he will have two eyes, one will be defective and nonfunctional. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ emphasized repeatedly that Allah is not one-eyed.

He repeated this statement so frequently that the Companions feared he might never stop. This repetition shows the seriousness of the warning and the ease with which people may be deceived under pressure. This physical defect alone distinguishes the Dajjal clearly from the Creator.

Additional Physical Features and the Written Sign

The Dajjal will have thick, twisted, curly hair. Between his eyes will be written the word “كافر” (disbeliever), or a similar form of it. This inscription will not require literacy to recognize. Every believer—or in some narrations, every Muslim—will be able to read it, whether they know how to read or not. This is a mercy from Allah ﷻ, allowing faith itself to become a means of recognition.

The Lesser Dajjals and the Ultimate Deceiver

Before the appearance of al-Masih ad-Dajjal, the Prophet ﷺ informed us that around thirty lesser dajjals will appear. Each will claim to be a messenger of Allah. The term “Dajjal” linguistically comes from deception, covering truth with falsehood. These lesser deceivers prepare the world psychologically and spiritually for the arrival of the greatest deceiver. Al-Masih ad-Dajjal is not merely one liar among many—he is the ultimate embodiment of deception.

The Illusion of Paradise and Hell

One of the most terrifying aspects of the Dajjal’s trial is that he will appear to carry Paradise and Hell with him. He will show people what looks like flowing rivers, lush gardens, and comfort, as well as blazing fire and torment. In reality, none of it is real. Everything associated with the Dajjal is deception layered upon deception. His “Paradise” is actually Hell, and his “Hell” is actually Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ warned believers that choosing apparent suffering over apparent comfort may be the very thing that saves their faith.

Modern Political Events and End-Times Speculation

In December 2017, President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel caused global shock. Jerusalem, particularly the Temple Mount, holds immense religious significance. It is the historical site of the First and Second Jewish temples and has been home to the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock for centuries.

Certain Jewish groups openly advocate for rebuilding a Third Temple. Following Trump’s election, some Israeli rabbis publicly appealed to Trump and Vladimir Putin to use their influence to facilitate this goal. Statements emerged describing Trump’s unexpected victory as divinely ordained to begin a messianic process.

The Awaited Messiah and the False Hope

In Jewish belief, the Messiah is understood primarily as a political and national leader—an anointed king. This concept traces back to ancient practices of anointing rulers. Many believe this Messiah is about to appear. From an Islamic perspective, however, this awaited figure aligns not with salvation, but with deception. The figure they await will be al-Masih ad-Dajjal, the false messiah, not the true savior. Allah ﷻ has warned humanity about him, and the Messenger ﷺ has given the Ummah every tool needed to recognize and resist him.