Alhamdulillah, all praise belongs to Allah who made us Muslims. We ask Him to give us good endings in Islam. There is no doubt that we have been hearing the word Dajjal in Islam. The Dajjal in Islam is not just an ordinary story of a man but the greatest fitnah (trial) that this Ummah will ever face before the Final Hour. He is also called the false messiah for a reason we are still going to mention.
it is a reality confirmed by the words of the most truthful of mankind, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Prophet didn’t just mention him once or twice. He repeatedly emphasized him in gatherings, sermons, and private conversations, declaring that no Prophet was sent except that he warned his people about Dajjal, the false messiah.
This man will emerge at the end of times, having only one eye, yet the entire world will turn into turmoil and commotion by the will of Allah through this false messiah. He will command the sky, and it will rain. He will point to the earth, and crops will grow. He will enter a barren village and bring it to life. He will heal the sick ones and make the dead appear to rise and walk.
He will tell the people that he is their lord. But he is not the Lord. He is Dajjal, the false messiah. All the people will believe him except the true believers based on the power granted to him by Allah. Let that sink in, from the time of our father Prophet Adam عليه السلام until the trumpet of Judgment Day will be blown, no trial will be greater than this deceiver.
Who is Dajjal in Islam?
He is the greatest deceiver ever known to mankind, who will claim to be God. He is not just a liar. He is the greatest liar, so much so that our Prophet ﷺ called him the ultimate deceiver who will exploit every weakness in human faith, perception, and desire. Our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that all prophets who came before him warned their people of the greatest trial of this false messiah. Our Prophet ﷺ said
There will not be any tribulation on earth, since the time Allah created the offspring of Adam, that will be greater than the tribulation of Dajjal. Allah has not sent any Prophet but he warned his nation about Dajjal. (Sunan Ibn Majah 4077)
His deception is unlike anything humanity will ever see. He will perform what appear to be miracles. He will call to disbelief in Allah. He will heal the sick, raise the dead, and offer wealth to the people, but at the cost of Faith. He will twist the truth, presenting falsehood as salvation, and sadly, most will believe him. He will travel the entire earth, except for Makkah and Madinah, which are protected by angels. Our Prophet ﷺ said
“He will have Paradise and Hell with him, but his Paradise will be Hell, and his Hell will be Paradise.” Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2934)
The Prophet ﷺ didn’t warn us so much about any other trial the way he warned us about this false messiah, Al-Masih ad-Dajjal. Why? Because Dajjal’s deception is the greatest fitnah designed to pull believers into disbelief.
He won’t come with swords or armies. No, his weapon is far more dangerous: deception, packaged as miracles. He’ll raise the dead or appear to be. He’ll walk through fire, give people a lot of wealth. He will say he is your Lord, and the world will believe him. Our Prophet ﷺ was so concerned about this trial that he taught the companions and us to seek refuge from Dajjal in every prayer.
Think about that. In every salah, we are taught to ask Allah for protection from Dajjal’s fitnah. That tells you how serious this matter is.
How will Dajjal look like?
Our Prophet ﷺ has already given us detailed descriptions of Dajjal’s appearance so that believers could recognize him and avoid his deception.
1. A one-eyed deceiver
The most defining feature of Dajjal in Islam is that he will have one eye. Our Prophet ﷺ described his right eye as defective, bulging out like a floating grape, unclear and deformed. Our Prophet ﷺ said:
“Dajjal is blind in the right eye. His eye is like a floating grape.” (Bukhari)
2. “Kafir” will be written on his forehead
Another sign that distinguishes Dajjal is that he will have the word “كافر (Kafir)” which means “A Disbeliever” written on his forehead. But only true believers will be able to read it, whether they are literate or not. Our Prophet ﷺ said:
“ The Dajjal has one blind eye, with a layer of thick skin over it, and between his eyes is written “disbeliever,” which every believer will read, whether he is literate or illiterate.’ (Sahih Muslim 2934b)
3. Short, bulky, and curly-haired
The physical appearance of the Dajjal is also described in detail by our Prophet ﷺ as someone short in stature, broad-chested and heavy-built, curly-haired, and his complexion will be reddish
“He is a man with a reddish complexion, fat, with curly hair, and blind in one eye. He resembles Abdul ‘Uzza ibn Qatan.” Sahih al-Bukhari
Some of Dajjal’s claims
Dajjal is not like ordinary humans. He will not marry, have children, and will die in the hands of Prophet ‘Isa عليه السلام, who will descend near the end of time. Some of his claims will be
First, he will pretend to be a righteous reformer.
Then, he will claim to be a prophet.
Eventually, he will declare himself as god, demanding worship.
He will start to perform miracles like killing people and bringing them back to life, raising the dead from the grave, making people wealthy, and other great things. This strategy is how he will win the trust of the weak-minded and call them to kufr (disbelief). Only those who stand firm upon the Qur’an and Sunnah with sincerity will survive this deception. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There will be three years of hardship before the Dajjal appears… and then he will claim to be a prophet. Later, he will say: ‘I am your lord.’” (Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 23139), Hasan)
Life of Dajjal on Earth
To have a clear understanding of the question that “Who is Dajjal in Islam? We also need to discuss this part too. A lot of people do ask that, where is Dajjal right now? And more importantly, where will he emerge from, and how will he die?
Our Prophet ﷺ has already informed us, his Ummah, in vivid detail about Dajjal’s appearance, his location, emergence, and movement. So let’s uncover the authentic sources that tell us where Dajjal is, where he will come from, and how his arrival will spread misdeeds across the earth.
- Where will Dajjal emerge from?
In multiple authentic narrations, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us that Dajjal will appear from the East, specifically from a region known as Khurasan. Historically, Khurasan covered parts of modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Dajjal will emerge in a land in the east called Khorasan, and will be followed by people with faces like hammered shields.'” (Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith No: 4072)
- Where will Dajjal reach around the world?
Dajjal will travel the world at an unnatural speed. His movement will be rapid and supernatural. The Prophet ﷺ described it as swift like “winds driving the rain” or like “clouds scattered by the wind”.He ﷺ said:
“He will traverse the earth like rain driven by the wind. He will come to a people and call them (to himself), and they will believe in him…” Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2937)
He will go from village to village, nation to nation, spreading his lies, performing false miracles, reviving the dead (by jinn’s deception), and raining down wealth until most of humanity falls into his trap. However, there are two cities that he can never enter.
- What are the places Dajjal cannot enter
Dajjal won’t be able to enter these holy cities Makkah and Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no entrance (for Dajjal) in Madinah. It will have seven gates, with two angels at each gate guarding it.” (Bukhari)
- Where is Dajjal now?
This false messiah is currently restrained by Allah’s will now. The famous narration of Tamim ad-Dari (RA), a Christian who embraced Islam and narrated a vision he experienced on a voyage, describes to us that Dajjal is tied on a remote island, surrounded by the sea. He is heavily chained, awaiting the appointed time of his release.
In this long Hadith (found in Sahih Muslim), Tamim and his companions landed on a strange island. There, they met a beast called Al-Jassasah and eventually came face to face with a chained man in a monastery. This man began to ask Tamim and his group about the signs of the Hour, like whether a certain spring had dried up, whether the date palms of Baysan still bore fruit, and whether a Prophet had appeared in Arabia.
When they confirmed the final Prophet had arrived, the man said: As for me, I am the Messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal). Soon, I will be permitted to leave, and I will travel the earth for forty days.” (Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2942) (More on the hadith of Tameem al-Daari about the Dajjaal)
- How many days will Dajjal stay on earth for?
Dajjal, the false messiah, will stay on earth for 40 days, but the days will not be as we know them. That is, they won’t be like normal days. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“He will remain for forty days: one day like a year, one day like a month, one day like a week, and the rest of his days like your days.” Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2937)
Most scholars interpreted this as a distortion in the perception of time, not necessarily the rotation of the Earth will change. The confusion and chaos at that time will make it harder for people to know the reality of the time. May Allah save us from Fitnah. Allah says…
Fitnah (trial) is worse than killing (2:191)
The Companions were so concerned that they immediately asked:
“O Messenger of Allah, how should we pray on the day which is like a year?”He replied: “Estimate its time (and pray accordingly).”
This shows the importance of holding firmly to salah, even in the face of Dajjal’s deception. Prayer is not excluded because it is the rope that connects us to Allah in times of darkness.
- Who will follow Dajjal?
Not everyone will follow Dajjal but many will, and our Prophet ﷺ specifically warned us who his primary followers will be:
- The Jews
- Women
- People of weak faith, those who desire the dunya and the materialistic world
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Most of the followers of the Dajjal will be Jews and women.” (Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2944)
This isn’t a condemnation of women, but a warning against upon vulnerable. This is because the false messiah will appeal to emotions, desperation, and worldly needs. Also, anyone who doesn’t have a firm aqidah, tawheed, and isn’t grounded in knowledge and the remembrance of Allah will be at serious risk.
- The Signs before the emergence of Dajjal
- An increase in immorality, like adultery, alcohol, riba, murder, and shamelessness, will become widespread.
- People won’t seek Islamic knowledge anymore, and there will be a lot of deaths of true scholars, leaving ignorance.
- The appearance of false prophets claiming prophethood before Dajjal.
- The normalization of lying, deceit, and the spread of ignorance
- Appearance of drought and famine
- How will Dajjal deceive people?
The deception of this false messiah won’t just be a show of power, but a deception to attack your faith and turn you into a disbeliever.. When people ask that “Who is Dajjal in Islam?” the answer of our scholars isn’t about his appearance, but about the terrifying strategies of how he will lead people astray. Allah will make him do the following, serving as trials for the people.
1. He will have false control over nature
Dajjal will perform what appear to be divine miracles, but they are nothing more than tests from Allah. He will command the sky to rain, and it will rain. He will order the earth to grow vegetation, and it will grow.
“He will come to a people and call them, and they will believe in him. He will command the sky to rain and the earth to grow crops, and their livestock will return to them in the evening with their humps very high and udders full of milk.” Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2937)
People will think he controls creation, but Allah is allowing this as a trial. During that time, there would be drought and famine (as already described in the signs before his arrival). Imagine the desperation of people who are hungry, thirsty, and hopeless. When someone appears offering rain, food, and comfort and all he asks is that you believe in him as your Lord. How many will resist?
2. He will revive the dead
One of the most shocking this false messiah is the miracles mentioned in the Hadith below, that he will kill a man and appear to bring him back to life. Narrated Abu Sa’id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه:
“Dajjal will come, and a believer will go towards him… He will cut him in two and then say, ‘Stand!’ and the man will stand up alive.” Sahih Muslim
3. He will offer wealth, treasures, and false promises to people
Dajjal will exploit humanity’s greed. People who once claimed to follow the truth may abandon it for gold, comfort, and status, especially during times of extreme hardship.
“He will pass by ruins and say to it, ‘Bring out your treasures!’ and its treasures will follow him like swarms of bees.” Sahih Muslim
This is how this false messiah will trick people with the love of dunya (worldly life) to follow him. He will use wealth as bait to pull people into kufr (disbelief).
How will Dajjal die? Who will kill Dajjal?
According to authentic reports, he will be killed directly by Prophet ‘Isa عليه السلام, who will descend near the end of time. The reign of terror by Dajjal in Islam will not last forever. At the peak of his deception, when his falsehood seems unstoppable, Allah will send the real messiah, Prophet Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus) عليه السلام. This divine intervention will mark the end of the greatest deceiver and the triumph of truth over evil.
He will descend near the white minaret in Damascus, with his hands resting on two angels. His arrival will coincide with the leadership of Imam Mahdi at that time, who will make way for him to lead the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Isa bin Maryam will kill the Dajjal at the gate of Ludd. (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2244)
- Who will be safe from Dajjal?
In the disorder and chaos that this false messiah will unleash, only those with firm belief, correct aqeedah (creed), and sound knowledge of Islam will be safe from his trial and chaos. Those who will truly know who he is are the true believers and have knowledge of what our Prophet has warned about this false messiah. Those who hold on to the rope of Allah and the Sunnah of our Prophet ﷺ with unshakable belief.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “No one will be able to see the word ‘Kafir’ written on his forehead except a believer.” (Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2933)
It’s not just about seeing with the eyes only, but knowing by heart with sincerity of faith and holding on to Tawheed. The false messiah will attempt to blur the lines between truth and falsehood, but the firm believer will recognize him for what he truly is.
How to protect yourself from Dajjal’s fitnah
Our Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, did not leave us defenseless against Dajjal in Islam, the false messiah whose deception will shake the world. He taught us practical, spiritual means of protection that act as divine shields against the ultimate trial of Dajjal, which are…
1. Memorize and recite Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from Dajjal.” (Muslim)
2. Reciting the dua against Dajjal in the final tashahhud
The Prophet ﷺ specifically taught us a dua to seek protection from four severe trials, and Dajjal’s fitnah is one of them.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
“Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min ‘adhabi jahannam, wa min ‘adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal.”
(O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, the torment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evil of the False Messiah’s trial.) (Bukhari)
3. Strengthen your Aqeedah (Islamic creed)
Dajjal will prey on those with weak faith and ignorance. Protect yourself by learning the correct Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) with sincerity and applying what you are learn in heart, words, and action. Do pray against the fitnah of Dajjal in your prayers too.
4. Being in Mecca or Medinah
If you are alive by then, if it is possible for you to be in Mecca or Medina or flee there, you will be safe. This is because our Prophet ﷺ guaranteed that this false messiah won’t be able to enter them :
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal will not enter except Mecca and Medina” (Bukhari 1881)
Knowing about Dajjal in Islam isn’t meant to fill our hearts with fear but to let us know that we are about reaching the end of time, because we can see a lot of the signs preceding the emergence of this false messiah are happening now. Deceit, lies, immorality, killing, inhumanity, and the spread of all corruptions.
We ask Allah to grant us firm faith that does not waver, eyes that see truth from falsehood, and hearts that are not deceived by the glitter or lies of the Dunya. We ask you Allah to protect us and our families from the fitnah of Dajjal. Shelter us and our children with the light of Emaan. Place in our hearts love for the Quran, clarity in the Sunnah, ways of our Salafs, and knowledge that shields us from misguidance. Aameen
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