Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 161
161 Both of these disorders will be prevalent in that era, and their foundation will rest on two evil things. One group will be referred to as ad-Dajjal (the Antichrist) and the other Yajooj (Gog). The Antichrist The Antichrist is referred to as ad-Dajjal. In Arabic, dajlun refers to a thing that is artificial from inside but seemingly pure on the exterior. Copper that is gilded with gold from the outside is an example. This form of deception has existed in the world since the beginning of time. No era has been free from such fraud and deceit. What do we observe of goldsmiths? Just as there is deception in worldly matters, so too there is deception in spiritual affairs as well. It is deception that is alluded to in the following verse: 1 ٖ يُحَرِّفُوْنَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَّوَاضِعِه They pervert words from their proper places. The Holy Quran states: 2 َ اِنِّيْ مُتَوَفِّيْك يٰعِيْسٰۤى O Jesus, I will cause thee to die a natural death. Those who misrepresent this verse are also guilty of deception. However, the de- ception of the latter days was destined to be grave in nature. As though an ocean of deception would surge forth. The definite article ‘al’ in ad-Dajjal conveys a meaning of absolute totality. Hence, ad-Dajjal (i. e. the Antichrist) was destined to be a manifestation of diverse forms of deception. In other words, previously there were individual forms of fraud, schemes, misguidance and disbelief. In a certain time the wicked said one thing, while others said something else. Vari- ous allegations were levelled against Islam individually, but they were to a limit. However, Allah the Exalted knew that a time was approaching when an ocean of allegations would flow forth. Just as smaller rivulets and tributaries join to make an ocean, in the same manner, all these smaller forms of deceit would join to make one great surge of deception. Therefore, just observe in this era how deception is so greatly prevalent. Criti- cism and allegations are raised against Islam on all fronts. The Christians have 1 an-Nisa, 4:47 2 Aal-e-Imran, 3:56