So I swear that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), Abū al-Qāsim, the truthful one whose truthfulness is confirmed, said:

“It is indeed true, and it is indeed near, for everything that is to come is near.”

Al-Haythamī said (7/349):

“Recorded by al-Bazzār. Its narrators are those of al-Sahīh, except for ʿAlī ibn al-Mundhir, who is trustworthy.”

Al-Hāfiz said (13/85):

“Its chain of transmission is good.” (1)

There are many hadiths explicitly stating that he will emerge. Some will be cited later, if Allah Most High wills, but they do not contain emphatic wording such as “inevitably” or “It is indeed true.” Indeed, all the hadiths concerning the Dajjāl affirm that he will emerge, and everything the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said is entirely true, whether accompanied by an emphatic expression or not.

“Nor does he speak from his own desire. It is nothing but revelation revealed.” [al-Najm: 3 and 4]

Al-Dānī did, however, narrate in al-Fitan (141/1), from al-Hasan, in a report with an interrupted chain, concerning Jesus (peace be upon him):

“He will certainly descend, so when you see him, recognize him . . .”

The hadith was also recorded by Ibn Hibbān (1904), through Sālih ibn ʿUmar, who said: ʿĀsim ibn Kulayb narrated to us from his father, who said: I heard Abū Hurayrah say—then he related the hadith, omitting the words, “I swear that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) . . .”

Its chain of transmission is authentic.