What is apparent from the context of the hadiths is that the speech of stones, trees, and the like is literal. This is because inanimate objects are established as having spoken in hadiths other than those concerning the battle against the Jews. I have already devoted a separate discussion to this, for it is one of the signs of the Hour.

Since inanimate objects will speak at that time, there is no reason to interpret the speech of the trees and stones figuratively, as some scholars have done (1). There is no evidence requiring the wording to be understood contrary to its literal meaning. Indeed, the speech of inanimate objects is mentioned in verses of the Quran, including the words of Allah Most High:

“Allah has caused us to speak—the One who causes all things to speak.” [Fussilat: 21]

And His words:

“There is not a thing that does not glorify Him with praise, but you do not understand their glorification.” [al-Isrā’: 44]

It is also related in a hadith from Abū Umāmah al-Bāhilī (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon to us, most of which concerned the Dajjāl, and he warned us about him. He mentioned his emergence and then the descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) to kill him. The hadith states: “Jesus (peace be upon him) will say, ‘Open the gate.’ It will be opened, and behind it will be the Dajjāl, accompanied by seventy thousand Jews, each bearing an ornamented sword and wearing a green mantle (2). When the Dajjāl sees him, he will melt as salt melts in water,