Dajjal The Final Deception & Signs of Qayamah – (English) – (PB)

The need for this book was occasioned by the quick succession of events in the beginnings of the new millennium. The new century no less than the new millennium also call for taking stock of what has happened in our recent past and relate it to our own Islamic traditions. The attempt being made here is to understand the significance and meanings of happenings of the recent past that are ominous for the present and future of the Islamic Ummah. Moreover there appear to be disturbing trends within sections of the community at a time when its enemies are in a position of ascendancy. The idea of the Dajjal and Imam Mahdi appear relevant in these times of irreligiosity, ascendancy of anti-God ideologies, moral degeneracy and social-political disorder. In the Islamic tradition Dajjal symbolizes the devil with whom are associated, oppression, injustice, strife, falsehood and deception. On the other hand, the expectation for the advent of the Mahdi among Muslims reflects a deep-rooted desire for a future- oriented ideal- the establishment of a just social order and a moral system of governance. The wait for the Mahdi also symbolizes the idea of hope, that enduring force which drives humans to overcome challenges of life in expectation of a just future and the final indication preceding the end of time. Our world, as we know in, may be nearing its end. This does not purport to be a Doomsday theory but a recapitulation of the indications and warnings as mentioned in the Quran and Prophetic traditions (Hadith) about the end of our world. Some signs are apparent to all those who know about them while others are not so apparent but are threatening to become apparent, slowly but definitely. While numerous indications as foretold by the Apostle of Allah (peace & blessings of Allah be withhim) have come true, the major event before the end of this world, that is, the advent of Dajjal- the final deceiver is yet to happen. However the situation and conditions forthe appearance of the Dajjal appear to be in place in our own times. Dajjal’s followers have arrived and are in control of our world before the final deceiver makes his appearance on the world’s stage; Dajjalic ideas have become dominant and have already declared their victory. The final deception is threatening to become the final reality of our times.
Dajjal is an Arabic word with multiple meanings such as a liar, impostor, and deceiver, someone who covers the truth by disbelief and makes followers across the earth. The present state of the world bears many similarities to the times described by the holy Prophet (peace & blessings of Allah be with him) when Dajjal ‘s advent will beimminent. Such a period was foretold to be one of continuous strife, chaos, oppression, endemic violence of hunger and poverty. Moreover such times would be conducive to immorality, evil and violence. According to the Islamic belief the advent of Dajjal will be the final major event before Qayamah descends upon this earth. Dajjal will be the final deceiver who will lay claim to prophet hood and later claim divinity for him and will perform unusual feats. Those who do not believe him will face starvation and hardships. Many of the signs of Qiyamah as mentioned in different Hadith are already more than visible. To cite only a few examples — family system that has existed for over five thousand years is breaking up. Many women are, by choice, not giving birth to children. Immoral, illicit conduct is becoming an acceptable form of behaviour. Incest, homosexuality, lesbianism are not only being practiced across the world but are now have acceptability in many so called liberal societies. Drinking of wine and illicit sex has crossed all limits – women wear expensive clothes to appear naked – playing of music, singing and dancing are now respectable things, cultivated in each home. Also corruption has become a way of life and usury is so widespread that even those who wish to escape from it can no longer do so. Greed, miserliness, and accumulations of wealth have become common and honorable practices.
As had been foretold, Muslims have grown in large numbers, they have become wealthy yet they are powerless. They fear death and are as madly in love with this world as anyone else. Consequently though many Muslim countries appear to be free from foreign control they are only client states, too weak to resist domination – cultural, economic, and political.
These and other signs of the impending Doomsday were foretold by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be with him) more than fourteen hundred years ago. However, other events foretold such as the advent of one-eyed Dajjal, appearance of the Mahdi (AS) – and the resurrection of ]esus Christ (peace be with him) is yet to take place.
Through this book we intend to enlighten our readers about the conspiracies, machinations and deceptions of the Dajjal with the hope that each believer will defeat such deceptions individually and collectively guarding against them as well as seeking refuge in Allah against these deceptions.
As the holy Qur’an asserts:
“Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished away; Lo falsehood is ever bound to varnish”
(Qur’an XVII: 81)
Aftab Shahryar
New Delhi, July 2003
Back of the Book
Dajjal: The Final Deception attempts to link the Islamic present with its tradition. It makes a broad ranging assessment of the key trends in the World of Islam at the turn of the century and makes an attempt to critically analyze and participate in a number of key academic and public debates about Islamic politics, society and culture in the face of the emerging threats from within and without. The occasion for writing this book was provided by the onset of the new millennium that is also a time for stock taking, of analyzing the lessons of the past and rethinking about the future. The Dajjal charts a course that is full of warnings of the dangers to the Islamic societies as well as sanguine about their future .Aftab Shahryar currently teaches Indian politics at the University of Delhi, India. His other writings include Understanding Sufism, The legacy of the Great Four Imams, Pillars of Islamic Faith, Sahih Muslim, Sahih Bukhari, and Major Themes of the Holy Quan.