Ibn Majah

Benefits and Issues:

➊ The recitation of the first section (ruku‘) of Surah al-Kahf is a means of protection from the tribulation of the Dajjal.

➋ Scholars should narrate the authentic hadiths regarding the signs of the Hour to the general public, especially informing them about the Dajjal, so that they may safeguard themselves from this tribulation.

➌ The rain falling or drought occurring at the command of the Dajjal is a trial just like his Paradise and Hell, or his reviving the dead.

➍ During the era of the Dajjal’s appearance, the current system of day and night will be suspended for a limited period.

➎ On the day that will be as long as a year, it is commanded to estimate the times and perform all the prayers of the year accordingly. This indicates that at that time, people will have means by which they can accurately estimate time; this is a prophecy regarding the invention of the clock.

➏ This hadith also applies to those regions of the North and South Poles where, during certain parts of the year, the usual system of day and night does not remain. In such areas, the estimation of prayer and fasting times should be done by looking at the clock. If someone travels into space, the same principle should be observed there as well.

➐ ‘Isa (alayhis salam) is alive in the heavens. All Muslims are agreed upon this. It is also a unanimously agreed upon matter that he will return to the earth. Only Mirza Ghulam Qadiani and his followers differ in this.

➑ Many aspects of the life of ‘Isa (alayhis salam) possess miraculous qualities. Among them is that previously the disbelievers tried to martyr him, but now it will not be possible for disbelievers to remain alive within his sight.

➒ Ludd is a city located in Palestine (the present Jewish state of Israel). There is also an airport there. It is possible that the “gate of the city” refers to its airport, where the Dajjal, in his attempt to escape, will be seized by ‘Isa (alayhis salam).

➓ The Dajjal is also called “al-Masih” (the Messiah), but he is the false Messiah. ‘Isa (alayhis salam) is the true Messiah, by whose hand the Dajjal will be cast into Hell.

⓫ Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) will be physically very powerful and extremely numerous, so ordinary people will not be able to confront them.

⓬ Where are Ya’juj and Ma’juj at present? This is not known; however, they certainly exist—there is no doubt about this.

⓭ It is not correct to declare the people of China, Russia, or any other country as Ya’juj and Ma’juj.

⓮ Ya’juj and Ma’juj will suddenly perish.

⓯ After the destruction of Ya’juj and Ma’juj, there will be great blessings in the produce of plants and animals.

⓰ The death of ‘Isa (alayhis salam) will occur in Madinah Munawwarah.

⓱ After him, there will be his successors (khulafa’); the number of Muslims will gradually decrease, and finally, the remaining Muslims will die due to a special wind.

⓲ The initial stages of the Day of Resurrection, such as: the blowing of the Trumpet and the death of all, etc., are extremely severe stages. Allah, the Exalted, will protect the Muslims from them.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
Fakhafada fihi wa rafa‘a:
While discussing it at length,
he sometimes lowered and sometimes raised his voice,
or sometimes belittled its status and rank, saying that he is one-eyed,
he is very insignificant in the sight of Allah,
he will only be able to kill one man,
and later he himself will be killed,
his companions will be defeated and killed, and at other times he described the trial and tribulation of the Dajjal as great, and that supernatural acts will occur at his hands,
therefore every Prophet has warned against his danger.

(2)
Ghayr al-Dajjal akhwafuni ‘alaykum: That is, other tribulations besides the Dajjal seem more frightening to me,
such as internal strife,
greed and desire for the world,
misguiding, deviant leaders.

(3)
Ana hajjijuhu:
I will argue with him using evidence and proof,
this statement was made by you (the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) merely by way of supposition,
because they thought perhaps he had already appeared,
otherwise it is established
that his appearance will be in the last era,
as will be mentioned ahead, and that ‘Isa alayhis salam will kill him.

(4)
Ka’anni limushabbihihi:
Since there is no one as ugly and deformed in appearance as the Dajjal,
therefore you used the word ka’anni,
as if.

(5)
Falyuqra ‘alayhi fawatiḥ Surat al-Kahf:
To seek protection from his tribulation, one should recite the opening verses of Surah al-Kahf,
reciting the first three verses is sufficient for protection from the tribulation of the Dajjal,
or, if possible,
one should recite ten verses,
because in the subsequent verses there is mention of human trial and tribulation, and the test of the allure and beauty of worldly things is described for this purpose.

(6)
Khullah:
A path strewn with pebbles,
a pathway.

(7)
‘Aatha:
A past tense verb,
because the occurrence of his corruption is certain, that he will soon spread corruption.

(8)
Iqdiru lahu qadrah:
Estimate the length of the day,
and after the interval at which you usually perform prayers during those days,
continue to perform the prayers at those intervals,
because Allah, as a supernatural act,
will make the first three days equal to a year,
a month, and a week,
the speed of the sun or the earth will be extremely slow,
or he will appear from a region
where the alternation of day and night is infrequent.
This hadith proves that
in regions where day and night are not according to the usual pattern,
they will estimate for prayer and fasting, and in regions where day and night are each six months long,
there, only five prayers in a day and night will not suffice,
rather, five prayers must be performed in every twenty-four hours, and fasting must be observed accordingly,
for this, the day and night of the nearest region should be taken as a reference.

(9)
Kal-ghayth istadbartuhu al-rih:
Like those clouds which are driven by the wind,
meaning he will traverse distances very quickly,
for the trial and testing of people, many supernatural acts will occur at his hands, and all of this will be by Allah’s will and decree.

(10)
Fayusbihuna mumhilin:
They will be afflicted by famine.

(11)
Ya‘asib,
plural of ya‘sub,
the leader of bees,
whom the rest follow in flight.

(12)
Jazlah,
a piece.

(13)
Ramiyat al-ghardh:
The distance of an arrow’s target,
there will be a considerable distance between the two pieces.

(14)
Yanzilu ‘inda al-manarah al-bayda’ sharqi Dimashq:
He (‘Isa alayhis salam) will descend near the white minaret to the east of Damascus.

(15)
Bayna mahrudatayn:
In two yellow garments,
meaning his attire will be extremely beautiful.

(16)
Juman:
Beads or pearls of silver,
according to Hafiz Ibn Kathir, when ‘Isa alayhis salam was raised to the heavens, drops of water were falling from his head,
he will descend in this state,
which will be a sign that he remained alive.

(17)
Fala yaḥillu likafir an yajida rīḥ nafsihi illa mata:
Any disbeliever who senses the fragrance of ‘Isa alayhis salam’s breath,
will not be able to escape death,
this does not mean that he will die instantly,
rather, the intent is that now he will not be able to remain alive, and the Dajjal in particular,
you (‘Isa alayhis salam) will kill,
so that people may see his blood on your spear,
otherwise he too would have perished from your breath,
therefore there is no need for any interpretation.

(18)
Ludd:
Nowadays, it is the airport of Israel and this city is located in the region of Palestine,
near Bayt al-Maqdis.

(19)
Yamsaḥ ‘an wujuhihim:
Out of honor and respect,
he will wipe the dust from their faces that accumulated due to travel,
or, by giving them the news of the Dajjal’s killing,
for blessing and barakah,
and to remove grief, sorrow, and fear, he will pass his hand over them.

(20)
‘Ibadi li:
To fulfill His creative and decreed command, Allah has brought forth His servants, that la yadan li ahadin biqitalihim,
no one has the strength or power to fight them, and when ‘ibad refers to righteous servants, then their attribution to Allah is made directly,
such as ‘ibad al-Rahman,
‘abdahu,
‘abdullah,
but if those bound by creative governance are meant,
who are disbelievers and rebellious, then the attribution is made with the intermediary of lam,
as He said,
“We sent against you Our servants” and in this hadith, ‘ibadi li,
and it is for the companions of ‘Isa alayhis salam.

(21)
Hirz ‘ibadi:
Protect My servants,
give them refuge,
(take them to the mountain) (22)
Hadab:
A hill,
an elevated place,
(23)
Yansilun,
they will be running,
(24)
Buhayrah Tabariyyah,
is in the region of Jordan.

(25)
Kariyyat Tabariyyah,
a city near which the lake is located, and Imam Tabarani
is attributed to this city.

(26)
Kana bihadhihi marratan ma’:
Upon seeing the signs and indications, they will say,
once there used to be water here.
When ‘Isa alayhis salam and his companions are besieged on Mount Tur, due to food shortage,
the head of a cow or ox, which is usually cheaper than regular meat,
its price will reach up to one hundred (100)
dinars.

(27)
Naghaf:
A worm that is produced in the nostrils of camels and goats.

(28)
Furasi:
Plural of faris,
those who are destroyed,
all will simultaneously become prey to Allah’s wrath.

(29)
Zahm:
Grease,
it can also mean stench.

(30)
La yakun minhu:
No shelter or roof will be able to protect anyone from this rain,
the rain will reach everywhere,
even leaking through roofs.

(31)
Zulfat shiyatah:
A dam.

(32)
Fi’am:
A group,
a party,
under the tribe (family),
and under that,

(33)
Fakhidh,
the household of a single man, his family and dependents.

(34)
Taharuj:
Mixing,
intermingling,
what is meant is sexual relations.

Explanation:
1:
There are two opinions regarding the meaning and intent of "fakhada fihi wa rafa'a":
One (khafada), in the sense of (haqara), meaning that he is lowly and insignificant in the sight of Allah, the Exalted. To the extent that Allah, the Exalted, created him one-eyed in this world. The statement of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is that the Dajjal is more contemptible in the sight of Allah, Lord of Might, than this—that is, he will not have the power to kill anyone except this one man. Rather, he will be incapable of doing so. His affair will become weakened, and after that, he and his followers and supporters will be killed. As for (rafa'a), its meaning is the vastness of his evil and tribulation, and that the extraordinary things he will possess will be a great trial for the people. This is why every prophet warned his people about his tribulation. The second meaning of this phrase is that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned him so extensively that after a lengthy discourse, his voice became low so that during the conversation he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam could rest, then his voice became loud again to inform everyone of this tribulation.

2:
That is, after my lifetime, during the tribulation of the Dajjal, the guardian of my ummah is Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

3:
Ludd:
It is a city near Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). In al-Nihayah fi Gharib al-Hadith, it is stated that Ludd is a place in the land of al-Sham (Greater Syria). It is also said to be a place in Palestine. (This is nowadays a military base of Israel.)

4:
The quantity of their weapons will be so great, or the number of Muslims at that time will be so few.

5:
In this hadith, there is mention of the signs of the Hour, the emergence of the Dajjal, the descent of ‘Isa ibn Maryam, the appearance of Gog and Magog (Ya’juj wa Ma’juj), and the important events that will occur between them. It describes the tribulations caused by the Dajjal, the calamities brought about by Gog and Magog, and their destruction at the hands of ‘Isa alayhis salam and through his supplications.