Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (3/198)

Al-Sharḥ al-MumtiʿIbn al-'Uthaymin

and this is explicit that the prophets warned their peoples about this very man. We have previously explained the wisdom behind the messengers’ warning about him. However, we must understand that this type of tribulation exists even apart from this particular man. Among the descendants of Adam there are, even now, those who lead people astray through their condition, their speech, and every means at their disposal. In His wisdom, Allah has granted such a person eloquence and clarity of expression: “So that he who perishes may perish upon clear evidence, and he who lives may live upon clear evidence.” [Surah al-Anfal: 42]

There is no doubt that the tribulation of the specific Dajjal is the greatest of all. Yet there are lesser dajjals who deceive people and mislead them with false appearances. One must therefore beware of them and discern their aims and intentions. For this reason Allah, Exalted is He, said regarding the hypocrites: “They are the enemy, so beware of them”—although He also said—“When they speak, you listen to their speech,” meaning that their clarity, eloquence, and imposing manner draw you irresistibly into listening. Yet: “They are like propped-up pieces of timber.” [Surah al-Munafiqun: 4] Even timber cannot stand by itself; “propped up” means that it rests against a wall. Thus, there is no good in it.

Therefore, those who adorn themselves before people with polished modes of speech—whether in creed, conduct, or methodology—must be treated with caution. Their words and deeds must be measured against the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ. Whatever conflicts with them is falsehood, no matter what it may be. One must not be deceived by the embellishments of their speech, for such embellishments are, as it has been said:

Arguments as fragile as glass—though you may deem them true;
Each one breaks another, and each is itself broken.

Do not say that such people have been granted eloquence and clarity in order to support the truth. Allah, Exalted is He, may test people by granting a person eloquence and clarity of expression even while he is upon falsehood, just as Allah tested people through the Dajjal, though he is undoubtedly upon falsehood.

وهذا صريحٌ بأن الأنبياء أنذروا قومهم بعين الرَّجُل هذا، وقد سَبَقَ لنا بيان الحكمة من إنذار الرُّسل به، ولكن يجب علينا أن نعلم أن جِنْسَ هذه الفِتنة موجود حتى في غير هذا الرَّجُل، فيوجد مِن بني آدم الآن من يُضِلُّ النَّاسَ بحالِه وقالِه، وبكل ما يستطيع، وتجد أن الله ﷾ بحكمته أعطاه بياناً وفصاحة ﴿لِيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَا مَنْ حَيَّ عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ﴾ [الأنفال: ٤٢]. فالدَّجَّال المعيَّن لا شَكَّ أن فِتنته أعظم شيء، لكن هناك دَجَاجِلة يدجِّلُون على النَّاسِ ويموِّهون عليهم، فيجب الحذر منهم ومعرفة إراداتهم ونواياهم، ولهذا قال الله تعالى في المنافقين: ﴿هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ﴾ ـ مع أنه قال ـ ﴿وَإِنْ يَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ﴾ أي: لبيانه وفصاحته وعِظَمِه يجرُّك جَرًّا إلى أن تسمع لكن ﴿كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ﴾ [المنافقون: ٤] حتى الخُشُب ليست قائمة بنفسها ﴿مُسَنَّدَةٌ﴾ أي: تقوم على الجدار؛ فلا خير فيها، فهؤلاء الذين يتزيَّنون للناس بأساليب القول سواء في العقيدة، أو في السلُّوك والمنهج يجب الحذر منهم، وأن تُعرضَ أقوالُهم وأفعالهم على كتاب الله وسُنَّة رسوله ﷺ، فما خالفهما فهو باطل مهما كان، ولا يُغترُّ بما فيها من زخارف القول؛ فإن هذه الزخارف كما قيل: حُججٌ تهافت كالزُّجاج تخالها حقًّا، وكلٌّ كاسر مكسور ولا تقولوا: إن هؤلاء القوم أُعطوا فصاحة وبياناً لينصروا الحقَّ، فإن الله تعالى قد يبتلي فيعطي الإنسانَ فصاحة وبياناً، وإنْ كان على باطل، كما ابتلى اللَّهُ الناسَ بالدَّجَّال وهو على باطل بلا شَكٍّ.