This hadith plainly indicates that the greater Dajjal is a human being and possesses human characteristics, especially since he was likened to ʿAbd al-ʿUzza ibn Qaṭan, who was one of the Companions. Thus, this hadith is one of the many proofs that refute the figurative interpretation of some who claim that the Dajjal is not a person, but rather a symbol of European civilization, its trappings, and its temptations! The Dajjal is a human being, and his tribulation is greater than that, as the authentic hadiths have concurred in affirming. We seek refuge in Allah from him.

1194 — “Whomever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding of the religion.”

It was recorded by al-Tirmidhi (2/108) and al-Darimi (1/74), through Ismaʿil ibn Jaʿfar, from ʿAbd Allah ibn Saʿid ibn Abi Hind, from his father, from Ibn ʿAbbas, attributed to the Prophet. Al-Tirmidhi said: “A good, authentic hadith.”

I say: It meets the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim. Al-Tahawi also narrated it in Mushkil al-Athar (2/281), and Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr in al-Jamiʿ (1/19), through the report of ʿAmr ibn al-Harith, who said that ʿAbbad ibn Salim narrated to him from Salim ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿUmar, from his father, from ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab, attributed to the Prophet. Its narrators are trustworthy transmitters found in the Six Books, apart from ʿAbbad ibn Salim, for whom I have not found a biographical notice. Al-Hafiz in al-Fatḥ (1/131) and al-ʿAyni in al-ʿUmdah (1/436) attributed it solely to Ibn Abi ʿAsim in Kitab al-ʿIlm. They both said: “Its chain of transmission is good.” And Allah knows best.

Ibn Majah (1/95) recorded it from ʿAbd al-Aʿla, and al-Tabarani in al-Saghir (167) from ʿAbd al-Wahid ibn Ziyad; both narrated it from Maʿmar, from al-Zuhri, from Saʿid ibn al-Musayyib, from Abu Hurayrah, attributed to the Prophet with the same wording. This is an authentic chain of transmission meeting the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim. Al-Tabarani’s statement, “ʿAbd al-Wahid ibn Ziyad alone narrated it,” applies only to what had reached him; otherwise, ʿAbd al-Aʿla also corroborated him, as you can see. Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr (1/19) also recorded it from Ibn Ziyad. A version containing an addition has also been narrated from him, and will be cited shortly. Al-Darimi (1/74), al-Tahawi (2/280), Ahmad, and Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr also recorded it through the report of Hammad ibn Salamah, from Jabalah ibn ʿAtiyyah, from ʿAbd Allah ibn Muhayriz, from Muʿawiyah, attributed to the Prophet with the same wording.