except that he warned his people about him; thus every prophet cautioned his own community against the Dajjal, instilling fear of him and impressing upon them the gravity of his affair.

They issued these warnings—even though Allah knew that he would not appear until the very end of this world—so that people would give the matter its due attention, recognize its peril, and understand that every religious community must beware of him. For this Dajjal—may Allah protect us and you from his trial and from trials like it—will come to humanity calling them to worship him. He will say, “I am your Lord; if you wish, I will show you that I am indeed your Lord.” He will then command the sky, “Send down rain,” and it will rain; he will command the earth, “Bring forth vegetation,” and it will produce. But if they refuse his demands, he will command the earth so that it becomes barren, and he will command the sky so that it withholds its rain; the people will then be left in drought. This is undeniably a grave threat, especially for desert-dwellers whose very survival depends on water and pasture—hence many will follow him, all but those whom Allah protects.

Yet in spite of that, he bears unmistakable signs that prove he is a liar.

One of those signs is that the word “Kāfir” (K-F-R, unbeliever) will be written between his eyes. Only the believer will read it—even if he cannot read—while the unbeliever, though literate, will not be able to do so, for this inscription is not ordinary writing but a divine inscription from Allah.

Another sign is that he is blind in his right eye, whereas the Lord—exalted is He—is not one-eyed; the Lord’s attributes are absolutely perfect, untouched by any defect whatsoever. This impostor, however, is one-eyed: his right eye protrudes like a bulging grape. Such a physical mark is clear and tangible.