Why Did All Prophets Warn Against Dajjal? Understanding the Reality of This Greatest Trial
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
❖ The Question
Why were all nations warned about Dajjal?
❖ The Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
From the creation of Ādam (عليه السلام) until the Day of Judgment, the greatest trial to appear on earth will be the trial of Dajjal. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) explicitly described its severity and terror. For this reason, every Prophet from Nūḥ (عليه السلام) to Muhammad (ﷺ) warned his people about Dajjal.
Why Is the Trial of Dajjal the Greatest?
✿ It will be an extremely dangerous and destructive fitnah.
✿ Though his emergence will occur in the end times, Allah commanded His Prophets to forewarn their nations, so that they may be aware of his deceit, severity, and deception, and thus remain cautious.
Prophetic Guidance
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«اِنْ يَّخْرُجْ وَاَنَا فِيْکُمْ فَاَنَا حَجِيْجُهُ دُوْنَکُم…»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Fitan, Bāb Dhikr al-Dajjāl wa Ṣifatihi wa Mā Ma‘ahu, ḥadīth: 3937)
“If he comes out while I am among you, I will suffice you against him. But if he comes out in my absence, then each person will have to struggle against him on his own, and Allah will be my successor over every Muslim.”
Indeed, our Lord is the Best Protector and Guardian.
Seeking Refuge from the Trial of Dajjal in Prayer
The gravity of Dajjal’s fitnah can also be seen from the fact that the Prophet (ﷺ) included it among the few specific trials from which he instructed the believers to seek refuge during prayer:
«أَعُوذ باللهِ من عذاب جهنم، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1377; Sunan Abī Dāwūd 984; Sunan Ibn Mājah 3840)
“I seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of Hell, from the punishment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the trial of the False Messiah (Dajjal).”
Meaning of Dajjal and His Deception
✿ The word Dajjal comes from dajal, meaning to cover up the truth and deceive.
✿ He will appear as the greatest deceiver with false claims, trickery, and lies.
✿ He will be the most notorious liar and deceiver in this world.
❖ Conclusion
The Prophets (عليهم السلام) warned their nations about Dajjal because his trial will be the greatest deception in human history, capable of leading astray vast numbers of people. Therefore, Muslims are commanded to remain vigilant, seek Allah’s refuge, and strengthen their faith to withstand this severe fitnah.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
