Dajjal and Satan — Essence of Islam Vol. 3

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Dajjal and Satan, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 7: Dajjal or the Antichrist
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7 DAJJAL OR THE ANTICHRIST The word Dajjal has two connotations: First, it signifies a group which supports falsehood and works with cunning and deceit. Secondly, it is the name of the Satan who is the father of all falsehood and corruption.
[Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 22, p. 326]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 3, p. 279]

The Dajjal mentioned in the Ahadith is described by the Holy Qur’an as the Satan, whom it quotes as saying:

قَالَ أَنظِرۡنِيٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ

“He said, ‘Grant me respite till the day when they will be raised up.’ God said, ‘Thou shalt be of those who are given respite.’” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:15-16, 7:15-16)

‘He (Satan) pleaded in the presence of God to be granted respite until those who are dead of heart are revived. God said: You are given respite till that time.’
Thus the Dajjal who is mentioned in the Ahadith is none other than the Satan who will be slain in the latter days. This is recorded in the book of Daniel as well as in some Ahadith. As Christianity is the perfect manifestation of Satan, Surah Al-Fatihah makes no mention of Dajjal, but prescribes supplication for refuge against the evil of the Christians. If the Dajjal had been some other mischiefmaker, the Holy Qur’an would not have enjoined us to seek refuge against the mischief of Dallin [those who have gone astray] but for security against the Dajjal. The verse mentioned above does not mean the

day of resurrection, because Satan will remain alive only so long as men are alive. Satan does not operate on his own, but through his agents, who are the people who deify a human being. Being a group of people, they are called Dajjal as in Arabic Dajjal also connotes a group.
If Dajjal is taken to mean someone other than the misguided preachers of Christianity, this would entail a contradiction, because the very Ahadith which indicate that the Dajjal will prevail over the earth in the latter days, also indicate that in those days the power of the church will overwhelm all religions. This contradiction can only be solved by affirming that the two are one and the same.
[Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 22, p. 41]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 3, p. 279]

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Introduction