and the gathering of the Jews in Palestine in anticipation of the Antichrist (al-Dajjāl) and as a prelude to the great battles that will take place there.

The third category comprises the major signs: the emergence of the Antichrist, the descent of Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him), the appearance of Gog and Magog, the advent of the Beast, and finally the rising of the sun from the west. Once any one of these occurs, the remainder will follow in swift succession.

Regarding the phrase “from the emergence of the Antichrist”: this is the very first of the major signs. He will be from among the Jews and will claim lordship. Diabolical wonders will accompany him, seducing the masses: he will command the sky and it will pour down rain, and he will command the earth and it will bring forth its treasures and vegetation.

The Antichrist is the most grievous of all trials, for countless people will be beguiled by the enormity of his deceptions. He will possess what appears to be both a paradise and a fire, and he will traverse every corner of the earth except Mecca and Medina. Through this ordeal the believer will be distinguished from the unbeliever.

He is called Dajjāl—from a root meaning “to lie”—because of the abundance of his falsehoods. He is also called al-Masīḥ (“the Anointed”) because he will sweep across the earth with great speed, aided by means of transport that Allah will grant him—swifter than the wind. Others say he is so named because one of his eyes is wiped out, for he is one-eyed; thus he is titled “the Misguiding Masīḥ.” When the Antichrist appears, the Jews will follow him as their leader, and through him a severe tribulation will befall the Muslims.