Author: Dr Muhammad Saeed Saleem
Identification of Dajjal
Events preceding the appearance of Dajjal
Before the advent of
Dajjal, several Hadiths mentioned four major events in the
history of Muslims, which were significant milestones in the
Muslim-Christian conflict and represented collective trials
for the Ummah. These four events are as follows:
1. The Battle
of Yarmouk — in which the Muslims decisively defeated the
Byzantine (Roman) Empire.
2. The Battle
of Antioch during the First Crusade — which took place in
the northern region of Syria and marked the beginning of the
Crusader invasion.
3. The conquest
of Constantinople — through which the Ottoman Turks raised
the Muslim flag over the Byzantine capital.
4. The fall of
the Ottoman Empire after the First World War — when the
Caliphate surrendered to the Allied forces.
Although centuries
of distance separate these events, there is a profound
connection among them. The first three are related to the
Roman (Byzantine) Empire, while the last three feature the
prominent role of Turkish Muslims, who settled in Anatolia
and became the military and political centre of the Islamic
world.
The Great Battle between the Romans and
the Muslims – The Battle of Yarmouk (636 CE)
It is stated in the
Hadith that there will be a fierce battle with an army
coming from Syria, in which the Muslims will fight with the
resolve for either martyrdom or victory. In the first three
days of fighting, both sides will suffer heavy losses, but
no decisive outcome will be reached. On the fourth day, the
Muslim contingent will defeat the enemy. The battle will be
so intense that even a bird flying in the sky will not
escape its effects. In the end, so many people will be
killed that, when the count is taken after the battle, only
one out of every hundred will remain alive.
This event, as
mentioned in the Hadith, refers to the great battle of
Yarmouk, which took place soon after the passing of the
Noble Prophet and was fought against the Byzantine
Christians of Syria. This battle lasted for six days, with
the first day involving initial skirmishes and efforts to
assess the situation. On the fifth day, the Byzantines
proposed a ceasefire and re-formed their ranks before the
final engagement. Therefore, the Hadith mentions only four
days of intense fighting.
The second, third,
and fourth days witnessed the fiercest clashes, with
extraordinary casualties. During these days, swift cavalry
played a pivotal role in keeping the Muslim ranks united and
resisting the intense pressure from the enemy, risking their
lives in the process. Among them were especially ‘Ikrimah
ibn Abi# Jahl (may Allah be pleased with him) and his four
hundred devoted warriors, who, disregarding their own lives,
adopted the strategy of launching themselves upon the
enemy—an approach that appears to be the practical
interpretation of the sakra#t al-mawt (the detachment of
death) mentioned in the Hadith.
On the sixth
day—which was, in reality, the fourth day of intense
fighting—the Muslims launched a decisive attack. Allah
Almighty granted a glorious victory to the Muslims, and the
Byzantine forces were utterly shattered. The Muslims also
suffered heavy casualties in this battle. The detail that
even birds could not pass over the battlefield refers to the
rain of arrows and the clouds of dust that rose over the
field, indicating the ferocity of the conflict. This battle
is regarded as a significant turning point in world history,
laying the foundation for Muslim dominance in Syria.
The Romans descending upon Dabiq or A‘maq
and fighting the Muslims – Battle of Antioch in the First
Crusade (1098 CE)
The Hadith describes
the Romans descending upon Dabiq or Aʿmaq, the arrival of an
army composed of the best soldiers from Medina to confront
them, the Romans demanding the release of war captives from
Muslim control, one-third of the Muslims fleeing, one-third
being martyred, and one-third never being subjected to any
trial.
This scenario became
evident in history during the First Crusade, when the
Byzantine Empire called upon European Christian powers for
military assistance against the Seljuk Turks. A major
objective of this war was to ‘liberate’ the Christian holy
sites—especially Jerusalem—from Muslim control. The Hadith
presents the Crusaders’ intentions as if, in their view,
these holy sites were imprisoned by the Muslims, and they
were determined to recover them at any cost.
After their
victories in Anatolia during the First Crusade, the
Crusaders advanced towards northern Syria. Their first major
target was Antioch, a central and key city of the region. To
reach Antioch from the north, they passed through the Marash
Mountains and descended into the plain of Aʿmaq,,
— a location mentioned explicitly in the Hadith.
After the Crusaders
captured Antioch, a great Muslim army, led by the Atabeg of
Mosul, the Turkish commander Karbugha, set out to recapture
Antioch. This army was composed of renowned and experienced
Muslim warrior groups. According to the Muslim historian Ibn
al-Athir, this army first encamped at Dabiq and then
advanced towards Antioch.
The “army departing from Medina” mentioned in the Hadith
symbolises the Muslim forces, because during the time of the
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Medina was the
centre of the Muslim state, and armies would set out from
there.
According to the
Hadith, three groups of Muslims are mentioned:
1. One third
are those who will flee from the battlefield: Ibn al-Athir
states that almost the entire Muslim army deserted the field
during the battle, except for a small contingent.
According to the Hadith, this is the group that chose the
path of flight, whom Allah will never forgive.
2. One third
are those who will be martyred: According to Ibn al-Athir, a
small group of Mujahidin, who belonged to the Holy Land,
remained steadfast and continued to fight for the pleasure
of Allah and the pursuit of martyrdom. The Crusader army
martyred thousands among them.
These are the people whom the Hadith refers to as “the best
of martyrs” (afdal al-shuhadaʾ).
3. And one
third are those who will never be subjected to any trial:
that is, the Turkish Muslims who did not participate in the
first nine Crusades (1096–1272), which Christians primarily
fought to gain control of holy sites.
This division is a
sign of the defeat of the Muslims in the Battle of Antioch.
The effects of this
battle were profound on history, because at that time the
number and military strength of the Muslims were much
greater than that of the Crusaders. However, this unexpected
defeat further encouraged the Crusaders, as a result of
which they attacked Jerusalem in 1099 and ultimately
succeeded in capturing it from the Fatimids.
Conquest of Constantinople by the Muslims
(1453 CE)
The Hadith
mentions that one-third of the Muslims would achieve victory
and conquer Constantinople, who would never be subjected to
trial. This refers to those Turkish Muslims who did not
participate in the first nine Crusades (1096–1272), which
Christians primarily fought to gain control of holy sites.
This group, under the Ottoman Empire, conquered
Constantinople in 1453, bringing an end to the Eastern Roman
Empire.
The Muslims hanging up their swords and
the appearance of the Dajjal – The surrender of the Ottoman
Empire (1918 CE) and the establishment of the Soviet Union
(1922 CE)
The Hadith
states that when swords are hung on olive trees and the
spoils of war are being distributed, Satan will call out:
“The Messiah has entered your homes!” Upon hearing this
news, the Muslims will set out, but it will be a lie. Then,
when they reach Syria and line up, at that very moment, the
Dajjal will appear.
Here, “hanging
swords from the trees” refers to the Ottoman Empire’s
surrender of arms under the Treaty of Mudros in 1918, while
the “division of spoils” symbolically represents the
partition of Ottoman territories and resources among the
victorious powers—Britain, France, Italy, and Greece.
During these very
days, Communism emerged as a global power, and in 1920, the
Communists seized control of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and
several former Ottoman territories. This is the moment
symbolically described in the Hadith as “Satan’s call: ‘The
Messiah has entered your homes!’“ This false proclamation of
the Messiah’s advent by Satan represents the Communist
propaganda, which presented the Communist state as a
saviour—a state claiming to deliver the people from
capitalist and feudal exploitation, and to realise an
exemplary social dream of “equality” for workers and
peasants in the form of a socialist system.
In the time of the
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Syria was under
Christian rule; therefore, the Muslims’ arrival in Syria
symbolically points to the formal occupation of Ottoman
territories by European Christian victors under the Treaty
of Sèvres in 1920. Similarly, the “lining up” of Muslims
described in the Hadith symbolises establishing a new
political order in Turkey. In November 1922, the Turkish
National Assembly officially declared the end of the Ottoman
Empire. During this period, in December 1922, the Soviet
Union was established—this was the very moment, according to
Hadith, when the Dajjal appeared.
Ten Horsemen of the Muslims – the Ten
Leaders of the Turkish National Movement
The Hadith states
that when the Muslims hear news of the Dajjal, they will
leave everything and send ten horsemen as a vanguard.
This scene is similar to the horsemen described in the Book
of Revelation of the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him),
where horsemen appear as symbols of leadership and guidance.
In this Hadith,
these ten horsemen refer to the ten leaders of the Muslims.
Their interpretation is of the ten prominent political and
military figures of the Turkish National Movement, who
initially negotiated successfully with the Communists and
later with Western powers.
The Hadith describes them as the best horsemen of that day,
which reflects their professional competence as diplomats
and leaders. Among them, especially Mustafa Kemal Atatürk,
Yusuf Kemal Tengirşenk, Kazım Karabekir, and later İsmet
İnönü, demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skill and secured
the best agreements with both the Communists and Western
powers. In 1921, the Turkish National Movement concluded
agreements with the Communists on border demarcation,
financial aid, and military support.
Still, the movement’s leaders succeeded in protecting Turkey
from the ideological influence of Communism. Later, in 1923,
through the Treaty of Lausanne, they achieved complete
independence from the Western powers and saved Turkey from
colonial domination, unlike the Ottoman Empire. This was a
rare diplomatic success, in which Turkey benefited from both
global powers but did not become subservient to either.
Seventy thousand of the Descendents of
Isaac – the Shiite Muslims of Baku (1918–1920)
The Hadith mentions
a city with land on one side and sea on the other. Seventy
thousand of the Descendents of
Isaac, unarmed, will attack this city, and after saying “La
ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar”
three times, the city will open up for them. After capturing
the city, they will gather and divide the spoils, but upon
hearing news of the appearance of the Dajjal, they will
return.
The interpretation
of this Hadith refers to the events of 15 September 1918 in
Baku, the present capital of Azerbaijan. This city is
located on the shore of the Caspian Sea—with land on one
side and sea on the other. In this prophecy, Shia Muslims
are symbolically likened to the “Descendents of Isaac.” Just
as the Descendents of Isaac,
though followers of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), had
a distinct religious identity in the time of the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), similarly, Shia Muslims
emerged as a group with a sectarian distinction within Islam
after the Prophet.
The Hadith mentions “seventy thousand” Descendents of Isaac,
which refers to the Shia population present in Baku at that
time, which was approximately seventy thousand.
Historically, 15
September 1918 in Baku was the day of ʿId al-Adha,
when Ottoman forces entered Baku during the First World War.
The British and Armenian troops had already evacuated Baku
the night before,
effectively ending the city’s defence. The words “La
ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar”
mentioned in the Hadith correspond to the takbirs of the
days of Tashriq during ʿId al-Adha. According to the Hadith,
after these words are recited three times, the “opening” of
the city symbolically refers to the return of the exiled
leadership of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic,
representing the local Shia population, on the third day of
ʿId al-Adha, and the formal establishment of their
government in Baku on 17 September 1918.
In the Hadith, the
term “spoils of war” refers to the vast oil reserves of
Baku, which, for a brief period, came under the control of
the shiite Muslim leadership of the Azerbaijan Democratic
Republic. This leadership made vigorous efforts to utilise
these resources for economic and diplomatic purposes.
However, in April 1920, when Bolshevik Communist forces
threatened to attack Baku, this leadership abandoned its
short-lived autonomy and the resources it had acquired,
returning to exile. This return is interpreted as the
fulfilment of the Hadith’s prophecy regarding the retreat
upon hearing news of the appearance of the Dajjal.
Victory over Arabia, Persia, and Rome
before the Dajjal
Before the Dajjal,
historical events have been collectively described in
another Hadith.
The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold the conquest
of Arabia, Persia, Rome, and finally the Dajjal. These
events correspond to historical facts: the complete conquest
of Arabia by Muslims in 633 CE, the conquest of Persia in
651 CE, the fall of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire in 1453 CE,
and the defeat of Soviet forces in Afghanistan, which was
followed by the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The mark of “Kafir” on the forehead – The
Soviet Union’s declaration of atheism and hostility to
religion
Just as in the Book
of Revelation, the “beast from the sea”—which symbolised the
Roman Empire—had blasphemous words inscribed on its heads,
likewise, the Dajjal will have “Kafir” written on his
forehead,
which every Muslim, whether literate or illiterate, will be
able to recognise easily.
The forehead is the most prominent part of the human body, a
symbol of open and undeniable identity. The inscription of
“Kafir” on the Dajjal’s forehead signifies that his identity
and disbelief will not be hidden, but rather openly
declared.
Similarly, the
Soviet Union did not conceal its rejection of religion but,
rather, adopted it as an ideological point of pride. The
Soviet Union stands out in human history as the only state
whose official ideological policy systematically sought the
elimination of all existing religions, the prevention of the
spread of religious beliefs in the future, and the
establishment of state atheism as a long-term goal.
State-sponsored scientific atheism was promoted, and
religion was labelled as a backward, unscientific belief,
with its complete eradication set as an official objective.
This ideology was manifested not only in the closure of
religious institutions but also, in particular, through
state oppression and pressure on followers of Abrahamic
religions.
The verses of the
“Internationale” (which, from 1922 to 1944, were part of the
national anthem of the former Soviet Union) reflect the
atheistic and anti-religious ideology of communism.
The Dajjal’s one eye and curly hair – The
practical and ideological flaws of the Soviet system
In the Hadith,
the Dajjal’s blindness in one eye symbolises the limited
perspective of communism, which is focused solely on the
concept of a classless and stateless society. This ideology
ignores the divinely ordained interdependence among human
beings, resulting in the failures of communism and the
devastating consequences witnessed during its
implementation.
Likewise, the
Dajjal’s curly hair signifies his ugliness and awkwardness,
which manifest in closed and controlled societies, equality
imposed by force, the absence of freedom of expression, and
the forms of social and political oppression that emerge.
Thus, the Dajjal’s outward deformity becomes a symbol of the
ideological and practical contradictions of communism,
which, instead of creating an ideal society, paves the way
for injustice, oppression, and tyranny.
The Dajjal as the False Messiah – The
Soviet system’s claim to solve humanity’s problems
Communism made false
promises of equality and justice, but in practice
established a harsh, oppressive, and inhumane system. This
system resembled the signs of the Dajjal as the “false
messiah”—a messiah who offers humanity a false dream of
salvation, only to plunge them into a new form of
oppression. The Soviet state exploited genuine popular
sentiments against poverty, class injustice, and capitalism
to spread the illusion of a socialist paradise. As a result
of this deception, violent revolutions, forced
collectivisation of agriculture, class purges, and
unprecedented restrictions on religion and freedom of
expression were imposed. The overall effect of Soviet
policies was to sever man from God and compel obedience to
the state, which was the practical manifestation of the
Dajjal’s tribulation.
The Paradise and Hell of the Dajjal – The
Contradiction Between the Promises and Reality of the Soviet
System
It is stated in the
Hadith
that the Dajjal will call people towards paradise, but in
reality it will be hell; and the fire or hell of the Dajjal
will be cool and like sweet water, so one should choose that
instead.
The communist system
also promised paradise, equality, and justice on earth. But
in practice, this promise turned out to be a terrible
deception. Capitalism was presented as a symbol of
exploitation, but the communist states themselves became the
worst examples of oppression, famine, and injustice. In the
Soviet Union, forced labour, gulag camps, and political
purges claimed the lives of millions. In China, during the
“Great Leap Forward” from 1958 to 1962, state policies led
to the deaths of an estimated fifteen to fifty-five million
people due to hunger and poverty.
In contrast,
capitalist societies made remarkable progress in economic
development, scientific innovation, and individual freedom
during the same period. This contradiction highlights the
symbolic truth of the Hadith—the paradise offered by the
Dajjal was, in fact, a path to destruction, while the true
path to salvation was hidden in the opposite direction.
The Dajjal as a False Prophet – The
Soviet System’s Claim to Guide Humanity
The Dajjal is called
a false prophet
because he falsely claims authority, moral superiority, and
the right to guide humanity. Unlike a true prophet who
provides divine guidance, the Dajjal is a representative of
Satan—just like the “false prophet” in the Book of
Revelation, who speaks with the voice of Satan.
The Soviet system elevated atheism to the level of state
policy, and by declaring religion as “the opium of the
people,” officially closed mosques, churches, and religious
institutions. This system promoted atheism and materialism,
which were based on the denial of God and the devaluation of
moral values.
The Era of the Dajjal (1917–1991)
According to the
Hadith, the era of the Dajjal will last for 40 days: one day
will be like a year, one day like a month, one day like a
week, and the remaining days will be like ordinary days.
Just as the Book of Daniel
and the Book of Revelation
present mathematical puzzles in their prophecies; this, too,
is a mathematical puzzle.
In this puzzle,
“days” represent periods. If read in reverse, the first
period is a week, i.e., 7 days; the second period is a
month, i.e., 30 days; and the remaining 38 (out of a total
of 40 days) are like ordinary days, meaning they do not
represent 38 separate periods. “One day will be like a year”
means that each day equals one year in real time.
These periods—7
years, 30 years, and 38 years—represent different phases of
the influence of the Dajjal:
· First
Period – 7 Years (Beginning of the Revolution – Lenin’s
Era): After the February Revolution of 1917, Lenin returned
to Russia in Jumada al-Thani 1335 AH,
after which the Bolshevik faction among the communists rose
as a power and led the revolution in the same year. Lenin’s
return occurred exactly seven years before his death, which
took place in Jumada al-Thani 1342 AH,
symbolically representing a week. During Lenin’s era,
revolutionary movements gained momentum, and the foundation
of the Soviet state was laid.
· Second
Period – 30 Years (Peak of Power – Stalin’s Era): Similarly,
Stalin died in Jumada al-Thani 1372 AH,
exactly 30 Islamic years after Lenin’s death, symbolically
representing a month. During Stalin’s era, power was
consolidated, the Soviet Union rapidly advanced on the path
of industrial development, and a system of severe repression
and fear was imposed on the people. Under Stalin’s rule, the
Soviet state became a global power.
· Third
Period – 38 Years (Beginning and End of Decline): In the
subsequent periods, the leadership of the Soviet Union and
the intensity of the communist movement no longer displayed
the prominent features seen during the eras of Lenin and
Stalin. After Stalin’s death, communism undoubtedly spread
worldwide, profoundly influencing revolutions and
governments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. However,
internal failures, economic problems, nationalist movements,
and international pressure from the Cold War gradually
weakened the Soviet Union and the communist bloc.
Ultimately, exactly 38 Islamic years after Stalin’s death,
with the fall of the Berlin Wall in Jumada al-Thani 1410 AH,
the monopoly of the Communist Party ended. This event became
a symbol of the decline of communism worldwide, and soon
after, the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the weakening
of the global communist movement were completed exactly 40
Islamic years after Stalin’s death, in Jumada al-Thani 1412
AH.
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