and the other version is recorded by Ahmad (5/403), with a good chain of transmission. Al-Hākim (4/433) graded it authentic, and al-Dhahabī concurred. Abū Dāwūd (4244) also narrated it. Its sources are documented in al-Mishkāh (no. 5396 / second critical edition).

The second: a man from among the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:

“I have warned you of the trial of the Dajjāl, for every prophet warned his people or his nation about him. He is dark-complexioned, curly-haired, and blind in his left eye. He will cause rain to fall but will not make trees grow. He will be given power over a person, whom he will kill and then bring back to life, but he will not be given such power over anyone else.

“With him will be a paradise, a fire, a river, water, and a mountain of bread. His paradise is a fire, and his fire is a paradise.

“He will remain among you for forty mornings, during which he will reach every watering place except four mosques: the Sacred Mosque, the Mosque of Medina, al-Tūr (the Mount), and al-Aqsā Mosque. If you are unsure or confused about him, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is not blind in one eye.”

It was recorded by Ahmad (5/434 and 435) and Hanbal (54/2–55/2).

I say: Its chain of transmission is authentic. Ibn Mandah narrated its opening portion in al-Tawhīd (83/1), adding:

“Know, then, that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is not blind in one eye. Allah is not blind in one eye. Allah is not blind in one eye.”

He said: “The narrators in its chain are acceptable by consensus.”

The third: Jābir ibn ʿAbd Allāh, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“The Dajjāl will emerge when religion has weakened and knowledge is in decline. He will have forty nights