Question 488: I have often heard bakri kuffar claim that the dajjal (LA) will be aided by Jews from Isfahan wearing shawls. Many Shia Ulama claim this is untrue. Can you prove it to be wrong? Provide all kinds of evidence t disprove it’s authenticity

Answer 488: One of the signs of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (as)[1] is the coming of the “Dajjal”.  According to Arabic literature experts, any liar and trickster can be called a dajjal.

Different unusual traits have been related to him in hadiths (in which are mostly found in Sunni sources), namely: he falsely claims his lordship[2], is high in age[3], along with him is fire and water[4], he cures the blind and those suffering from leprosy[5].

As for who the dajjal really is, one can’t reach a definite conclusion, but in a nutshell, it can be said there are several possibilities regarding this matter:

1) The dajjal is a true person that does extraordinary things using witchcraft and magic that will appear at the end of time.  He will be the head of a great trouble-making that will take place for all of mankind.  As the literal meaning of dajjal suggests, he is a user of witchcraft and a trouble-making individual with many materialistic facilities and capabilities.  Some hadiths name him “the messiah of misguidance” which is the opposite of “the messiah of guidance”, meaning Prophet Isa (pbuh).

During the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (as), he will begin to work against him.  He is of those who have long lives and is and will remain alive until the day he appears.  He will take over the whole world expect for Makkah (Mecca) and Madinah (Medina).[6]

2) Iblis or Satan is the dajjal.

3) The Sufyani  is the dajjal.

4) The dajjal has a symbolic and secret side to it (and isn’t a true person):

“The dajjal symbolizes the highest levels of civilization, culture and Western technology that are in conflict with Islam and its principles; a culture that tries to conquer and enslave all.  We can clearly see today how the West’s materialist culture and technology has taken over all societies today, even Muslim ones…”[7]

Is it true that Dajjal will emerge from Esfahan?

The following are some traditions narrated in this regards we need to evaluate if they are accurate or not?

First traditions: Dajjal will emerge from Jews people of Isbahan (one of the Esfahan’s villages) in a way that seventy thousands of Jews will support it.[8]

Arabic version:

یخرج الدجال من یهودیه اصبهان معه سبعون الفا من الیهود علیهم التیجان.

حَدَّثَنَا مَنْصُورُ بْنُ أَبِي مُزَاحِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، عَنِ الْأَوْزَاعِيِّ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «يَتْبَعُ الدَّجَّالَ مِنْ يَهُودِ أَصْبَهَانَ، سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا عَلَيْهِمُ الطَّيَالِسَةُ». [9]

Evaluation: This hadith hasn’t been mentioned in Shia sources. It is just narrated (by Anas bin Malik) from the Holy Prophet (pbuh). In his musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal is the first person from ahlul sunna that quoted this hadith.[10] It is also narrated by Ibn Hamad who was in jail with Ahmad, but He didn’t attributed to the holy Prophet (pbuh).[11] Also, Ibn Hamad quoted from Yahya bin Saeed al-Attar from Salman bin Eisa this following hadith: Dajjal will emerge from an Island of which is located in the sea in Isbahan!

Esfahan hasn’t any sea to say there is an island. According to Shia and Sunni, ibn Hamad is a weak narrator that all of his works are not reliable.

The same hadith also mentioned in Musnad abi Ya’la.[12]

In Mojam Awsat, Tabarani quoted this hadith from Awzaee from Rabiah from Anas bin Malik. Awzaee was a person whom is not reliable.

This hadith is also mentioned in Mustadrak Hakim[13], history of Damascus City (Vol. 38, Pg. 10), Ibn Kathir (Vol. 1, Pg. 122). They all mentioned that this hadith is narrated by Ahmad whom is weak.

Some sunni also narrated this hadith without mentioning any Shia sources.

In Mojam al-Boldan Hamoodi explained the place where dajjal will emerge from as follows:

Isbahan is a city for Esfahan where Jey was the first city center. When Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem he captured the people of Jerusalem and took the Jews people of Jerusalem with him to Esfahan dwelled them in a place beside Jey (Esfahan city center) named it Judaea. [14]

Note: Hamoodi was a NasibiThis tradition hasn’t been mentioned in any Shia sources. Considering this issue that we approve this hadith, but it impossible that seventy thousands of Jews people live in a village. Because, most of people who live in Esfahan are Shia Muslims. Therefore, Esfahan is not the seat of Jews government.

Second tradition: Dajjal will emerge from Esfahan from a village known as Judaea.[15]

Evaluation: This hadith quoted by a narrator named Nazal bin Sabrah that his name has never mentioned in any Shia Rijali books. He is also unknown, however he has praised in Sunni sources.

Third tradition: The commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (as) was busy delivering a sermon when he repeated three times: “Ask me (all that you need) before you lose me.”  A righteous individual by the name of Sa’sa’ah ibn Sawhan stood up and asked: “Oh commander of the faithful!  Who is the Dajjal?”

In response to this question, Imam Ali (as) replied: “Be aware that the (name) of the dajjal is Sa’ed ibnul-Sa’ed.  The unfortunate one is he who acknowledges and accepts him, and the fortunate being the one who rejects him.  He will emerge from a place called “Isbahan”, from an area which is known to be the area of the Jews.  His right eye is shut, bearing no eyeball.

His other eye is in his forehead, shining so brightly that it resembles the morning star in brightness.  In his eye there is a piece of meat that seems to have mixed with some blood and on his forehead, in between the two eyes, it has been written “Kafir” in a way that every literate and illiterate person can read.  He travels over the oceans and the sun accompanies him.  In front of him, there is a mountain of smoke and behind him there is a white one that people perceive to be food.  He will appear during a very hard drought.  He will be riding a dark or green donkey.  Every step this donkey takes is equal to one mil (mile).  He will travel and go here and there on earth.  Every water source or spring that he crosses will turn and remain dry till the Day of Judgment.  He will shout with a voice heard by all in the East and the West saying: “Come to me, Oh friends and followers of mine!”  I (am a God) who has created, who has created the faces, has measured every persons portion (of sustenance), and is your guide.  I am the exalted Lord!”  He is a liar!  He is Allah’s (swt) enemy…and in the end he will eventually be killed by the one Isa (pbuh) prays behind (Imam Mahdi (as))”.[16]

Evaluation: The hadith is weak! Because, the one who narrated it from Imam Ali (as) is unknown.

Forth tradition: Dajjal will emerge from Isbahan.[17] This tradition mentioned in Tabarani from Muhammd bin Hayat al-Jawhari al-Ahwazi from Muhammad bin Mansoor al-Nahwi al-Ahwazi from Abu Hammam Muhammad bin al-Zabarqan, Thana Younis bin Abid from al-Hasan (Hasan Basri) from Omran bin Hasin that the Holy Prophet  (pbuh) has said this hadith.[18]

Evaluation: This above hadith has some problems in its Sanad even according to Ahlul Sunna. Also, this tradition has not mentioned in any shia sources.

Fifth tradition: When Imam Mahdi (ajtf) appeared He will be received an information that Dajjal emerged from Isbahan. According to this tradition, Dajjal cannot be a sign for His reappearance as Dajjal will emerge after Imam Mahdi (ajtf).[19]

Arabic version of this hadith is as follows:

خرج المهدي إلى بلاد الروم، وجيشه مائة ألف فيدعو ملك الروم إلى الايمان فيأبى فيقتتلان شهرين فينصر الله تعالى المهدي… يفتح رومية بأربع تكبيرات ويقتل بها ستمائة ألف ويستخرج منها حلي بيت المقدس، والتابوت الذي فيه السكينة، ومائدة بني إسرائيل، ورضاضة الألواح، وحلة آدم وعصي موسي، ومنبر سليمان، وقفيزين من المن الذي أنزل الله عز وجل على بني إسرائيل أشد بياضا من اللبن، ثم يأتي بالمدينة (كذا) يقال لها القاطع طولها ألف ميل وعرضها خمسمائة ميل ولها ستون وثلاث مائة باب يخرج من كل باب مئة ألف مقاتل، فيكبرون عليها أربع تكبيرات فيسقط حائطها فيغنمون ما فيها، ثم يقيمون فيها سبع سنين ثم ينتقلون منها إلى بيت المقدس، فيبلغهم أن الدجال قد خرج في يهود أصبهان

Evaluation: This hadith hasn’t also been mentioned in any Shia sources.

From where Dajjal will emerge: There are some different opinions about it. Some say Dajjall will emerge from Esfahan, some say from Bajestan (Sistan), Iraq, Balkh and others say Khorasan.[20]

In Bihar al-Anwar Allamah Majlesi narrated a hadith from Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) in which He has said: Dajjal will emerge from Balkh.[21]

Ibn al-Razzaq quoted a tradition from Kaab al-Akhbar that Dajjal will emerge from Iraq.[22]

In Muntakhab al-Athar Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani said: Dajjal will emerge from Bajestan (Sistan).[23]

According to Saeed Ayyoub, Dajjal will emerge from Israel.[24]

Arabic version of this hadith is as follows:

يقاتل بقيتکم المسيح الدجال علي نهر الاردن أنتم شرقي و هم غرب

[1] Of course this sign has been counted as one of the signs of the Day of Judgement (Sunan Tirmidi, vol.4, pp.507-519; Sunan Abi-Dawud, vol.4, pg.115; Sahih Muslim, vol.18, pp.46 and 81), yet in Shia hadith sources it has been counted as one of the signs of the nearness of the Day of Judgment (Biharul-Anwar, vol.6, pg.296, chapter 1 (The signs of the hour (Day of Judgment) and the story of Ya’juj) and also the signs of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (as).  There is no problem in this sign being both the sign of the Day of Judgment and the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (as), because his reappearance is one of the signs of the end of time and the Day of Judgment.

[2] Sunan Ibn Majah, vol.2, pg. 1360.

[3] Sahih Muslim, vol.8, pg. 205.

[4] Sahih Bukhari, vol.8, pg. 103.

[5] Musnad Ahmad, vol.5, pg. 13.

[6] Al-Faqih, vol.2, pg. 564, the chapter on the respect and virtue of Medinah; Tahdhib, vol.6, pg. 12, chapter 5, The respect and virtue of Medinah.

[7] Seyyid Muhammad Sadiq, Tarikh ma badal-Dhuhur, pp. 141 and 142.  Quoted and obtained from: Ali Asghar Rizvani, Maw’ud Shenasi, pg. 533.

[8] Mojam Ahadith al-Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), Vol. 2, Pg. 96.

[9] Qashiri Neishaboori, Muslim bin al-Hajjaj, al-Musnad al-Sahih, al-Mokhtasar, researcher Abdul Baqi, Muhammad Foad. Vol. 4, Pg. 2266, Dar o Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut, Bita.

[10] Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 3, Pg. 224.

[11] Vol. 2, Pg. 533, H 1509.

[12] Musnad abi Ya’la, Vol. 6, Pgs. 317-318, H 3639.

[13] Mustadrak Hakim, Vol. 4, Pg. 528.

[14] Yaqut Hamoodi, Mojam al-Boldan, Vol. 1, Pg. 206.

[15] Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ne’mat, Sheikh Saduq, Pgs. 526-527.

[16] Lotfollah Safi, Muntakhabul-Athar, Chapter 3, pg. 532, hadith 8.

In some hadiths it has been stated that he will eventually be killed by Prophet Isa (pbuh) (Biharul-Anwar, vol.14, pg.348, chapter 24) or it has been stated that he will be killed by Prophet Isa (pbuh) at a gate in Sham.  For further information, see: Biharul-Anwar, vol.52, pp. 193 and 209; Kamaluddin, 525 and 526; Kashful-Ghummah, vol.3, pg.281; Al-Masa’ilul-Ashr, printed in the works of Sheikh Tusi, vol.3, pg. 122; Irshad, vol.2, pg. 371; Kanzul-Ummal, vol.14, pp. 198-200.

Of course, there is no conflict between these two statements that Prophet Isa (pbuh) is one of those who takes orders from Imam Mahdi (as) and one can relate the doing of a soldier to his commander.

[17] Mojam Ahdith al-Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), Vol. 2, Pg. 61.

[18] Tabarani, al-Awsat, Alaa maa fee Majma al-Zawaed; Majma al-Zawaed, Vol. 7, Pg. 339 from al-Tabarani fee al-Awsat;  Kanzul ummal, Vol. 14, Pg. 327, H 38823 from tabarani in al-Kabir.

[19] Al-Qawl al-Mokhtasar, Ibn Hajar Heitami, Pg. 14, H 61;  Mojam Ahadith al-Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), Vol. 2, Pg. 141. This hadith mentioned in Al-Etr al-Wardi, Pg. 68 from al-Hadiyyatal Nadiyyah.

[20] . al-Malahim wa al-Fitan, Pg. 126.

[21] . Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 52, Pg. 190-194.

[22] . Musannaf ibn al-Razzaq, Vol. 11, Pg. 396.

[23] . Muntakhab al-A’thar, Pg. 425.

[24] . Aqidat al-Masih al-Dajjal fee al-Adyan, Saeed Ayyoub, Pgs. 279-280.