a mere impostor—is far too insignificant in Allah’s sight for Him to give him power over His creation and furnish him with these dangerous and deadly weapons, which would shake the faith and religion in the hearts of most people” (1).
The response to these people may be summarized as follows:
- The hadiths describing the Dajjāl’s extraordinary feats are established and authentic. They may not be rejected or explained away on account of the objections already mentioned. There is no inconsistency within them, nor any contradiction among them.
As for Rashīd Ridā’s claim that the hadith of al-Mughīra recorded in both Sahih collections conflicts with the other hadiths concerning the Dajjāl, the answer is that the Prophet’s words—peace and blessings be upon him—“He is far too insignificant in Allah’s sight for that” mean that the Dajjāl is too insignificant for Allah to make the extraordinary feats He creates at his hands a means of leading believers astray or casting doubt into their hearts. Rather, those who believe will increase in faith, while those with sickness in their hearts will fall into doubt. This is exemplified by the words of the man whom the Dajjāl kills: “Never have I had clearer insight into your true nature than I do today.”
The words “He is far too insignificant in Allah’s sight for that” do not mean that none of these things will be with him. Rather, they mean that he is too insignificant for Allah to make any of them a sign of his truthfulness—especially since Allah has placed upon him an unmistakable sign of his falsehood and disbelief, which every Muslim, literate or illiterate, will be able to read. This is in addition to the other proofs of his falsehood furnished by his created nature and imperfection (2), as noted earlier in the discussion of his description.
- Even if we were to concede that the hadith is to be taken at face value, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—would have said this to him