It must be said. And it must be said clearly. Al-Masih ad-Dajjal (the AntiChrist or False Messiah) is a human being, a man. Nothing more. I have heard it said on multiple occasions from the mouths of Muslims that the Dajjal is the computer, or the internet, or the US dollar bill, or the television. This is incorrect. We have been warned numerous times in the Qur'an and in the ahadeeth to never speak without knowledge. And this is a dangerous subject to throw in opinions and conjecture.
Though not mentioned in the Qur'an, al-Masih ad-Dajjal is often mentioned in the ahadeeth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the Dajjal in great detail. Through his description we know what the Dajjal will look like, where he will first appear, who will follow him, what he will do once he gets here, and how he will be killed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
I have told you so much about the Dajjal (Antichrist) that I am afraid you may not understand. The Antichrist is short, hen-toed, woolly-haired, one-eyed, an eye-sightless, and neither protruding nor deep-seated. If you are confused about him, know that your Lord is not one-eyed. (Abu Dawood)
We know that he will be a man. He will be blind in one eye. His hair will be curly and he will be short. The believers, whether literate or illiterate, will be able to read the letters kaaf, faa, raa (spelling kaafir or "disbeliever"), written between his two eyes.
The Dajjal will claim to be Messiah and then claim to be Allah, Himself. He will perform miracles. He will traverse the earth in short periods of time. He will exert control over weather patterns, sending down rain upon those who believe in him. He will exert a similar influence over crops and livestock. He will only be able to do this because Allah, in all of His Power and Wisdom, will allow him to do so, not because the Dajjal has any power unto himself. He will serve as a massive trial for humanity. We must learn how to protect ourselves. Read and study the ahadeeth regarding the Dajjal to learn his characteristics and what he will call to. Then, practice the following:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned that the Dajjal would be the greatest fitnah or trial mankind would know.
There would be no creation (creating more trouble) than the Dajjal right from the creation of Adam to the Last Hour. (Muslim)
Being such a fierce trial, even the believer who is sure that this is Dajjal is instructed to avoid him.
Whoever hears of (the appearance of) the Dajjal, let him stay away from him. By Allah! A man will come to him, thinking himself to be a believer, but will follow him because of doubts he will raise. (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, and Ahmad)
It is known that the Prophet (peace be upon him) made du'a seeking protection from the Dajjal. While still seated, prior to the tasleem in the last rakah of each prayer he sought refuge in Allah from debt, the trials of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the trial of al-Masih ad-Dajjal. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her)said:
Allah's Apostle used to invoke Allah in the prayer saying "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min adhabil-qabri, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-masihid-dajjal, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wa fitnatil-mamati. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-ma thami wal-maghrami. (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave and from the afflictions of Masiah Ad-Dajjal and from the afflictions of life and death. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the sins and from being in debt)." Somebody said to him, "Why do you so frequently seek refuge with Allah from being in debt?" The Prophet replied, "A person in debt tells lies whenever he speaks, and breaks promises whenever he makes (them)." 'Aisha also narrated: I heard Allah's Apostle in his prayer seeking refuge with Allah from the afflictions of Ad-Dajjal. (Bukhari)
In multiple ahadeeth the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us to seek protection from the Dajjal in the first ten verses of Surat Al-Kahf (the Cave, Chapter #18).
...He who among you will survive to see him should recite over him the opening verses of Surah al-Kahf... (Muslim)
Many people find the prophecies of the End of Time to be fascinating. Indeed, the companions, themselves (may Allah be pleased with all of them), would frequently ask the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the Hour and the Signs of its coming. But we should exercise caution. We should rely on authentic sources. Beware of sources which interpret the Qur'an and sunnah as allegory. Beware of articles, texts, and speakers who claim that Dajjal is a device, or a concept, or a system. Though he will have devices and technologies at his disposal which he will use to persecute those who do not follow him, and though he will instill false concepts and ideas into the people, and though a system is currently being established which will welcome him when he arrives; he is only a man. Nothing more, nothing less.
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Web Author: Abu Aasiya