The Age of Deception: How the World Is Being Prepared for the Rise of the Antichrist (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal)

In a time when the nature of reality seems uncertain—where synthetic intelligence produces false images, deep fakes obscure reality, and potent elites affect perceptions: a big question emerges: Could we be in the foretold Age of Deception described in ancient writings?

Throughout history, different religions have warned about a time when lies will claim to be true while the truth gets buried under commotion. In Islamic tradition, this period ends with the coming of Al-Masih ad-Dajjal, known in society as the Antichrist—a deceiver so powerful that Even the devout will tremble before his lies.

The Last Belief Challenge

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ pointed out that no test would beat the one posed by the Dajjal from the time of Adam until the end of the globe. Not an artificial entity or symbol, he will be a person created by Allah meant to challenge humanity. Still, his abilities will go beyond understanding—unlike those of any prior liar.

He will display exceptional control over elements of nature. It will pour when he demands rain from the heavens. It will flourish when he tells the ground to create. People who decide to follow him will live with simplicity; those who reject him will go through grief. He will treat the sick and appear to revive the dead, yet every marvel will be a divine investigation rather than proof of godliness.

Vividly, the Prophet ﷺ portrayed him: one eye, forehead clearly marked with the term "Kafir" (disbeliever), visible to every believer. whatever their reading level is. In forty days, he will cover the planet experiencing the first day as long as a year, the second as long as a month, the third as a week; the other days seem regular.

Rising from the East, the Dajjal will descend from Khorasan with seventy thousand residents of Isfahan wearing unique attire. His rise will really shake the pillars of belief. Nevertheless, those who memorize the first ten lines of Surah Al-Kahf will find safety from his trickery.

The Hidden Warnings: Tamim al-Dari’s Encounter

Centuries ago, a Christian man named Tamim al-Dari — who later accepted Islam — encountered something extraordinary at sea. As recorded in Hadith, he and his companions were shipwrecked and landed on an unknown island. There, they met a strange, hairy creature called Jassasah, who led them to a monastery where a chained man awaited them.

That man introduced himself as the Dajjal. He asked three prophetic questions:

“Tell me about the date palms of Baysan.”

They replied that the trees bore plenty of fruit. Dajjal said, “A time will come when they will no longer bear fruit.”

Today, Baysan (Beit She’an) lies in modern Israel. While date palms still grow there, agricultural reports show gradual decline — a sign that scholars see as nearing fulfillment.

“Tell me about the Lake of Tiberias.”

They replied, “Its water is abundant.”

Dajjal said, “Soon, its water will vanish.”

The Sea of Galilee, known for its freshwater reserves, is now shrinking dangerously — Israel’s 2025 reports warn it is nearing critical depletion.

“Tell me about the spring of Zughar.”

They answered, “It flows abundantly and irrigates the land.”

Dajjal said, “A time will come when its water will dry up.”

Today, the Zughar region in Jordan faces drought. Many springs once used for irrigation have dried.

Each answer mirrored a prophecy unfolding silently in our time.

The Jewish Vision of the “Promised King”

While Islam warns believers to guard their faith against the Dajjal, Jewish eschatology offers a very different lens — one that identifies this figure not as a deceiver, but as a messianic liberator.

According to the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and rabbinic texts like Talmud and Midrash, this future figure — often tied to the lineage of King David (Dawud عليه السلام) — will be a human king who rebuilds the Third Temple in Jerusalem, gathers exiled Jews back to Israel, and establishes a global order known as Olam Ha-Ba — “the World to Come.”

In that envisioned era, the Jewish people will enjoy peace and sovereignty. Divine knowledge will fill the earth, and the “heavenly order” will be managed from Jerusalem. The references to this are found in Isaiah 11–12, Jeremiah 23:5, and Ezekiel 37:21–28.

Across orthodox, conservative, and Hasidic traditions, the vision is largely the same — a world under the rule of a “righteous king.” But from the Islamic lens, this same figure embodies the greatest deception: a man who first claims prophethood, then divinity.

Why the Deception Now?

If the Dajjal will possess divine permission to perform such signs, why — many ask — does there seem to be such effort today to prepare the world for illusion?

The answer lies in the spiritual conditioning of humanity. Those who propagate deceit — through false ideologies, controlled narratives, and even digital illusions — aim to weaken faith before the final trial begins.

The global elite, consciously or unconsciously, contribute to an environment where truth is negotiable and morality is fluid. By blurring the lines between real and unreal, they desensitize people to deception itself. So when the ultimate deceiver emerges, resistance will be rare — because illusion will feel familiar.

Technology is not evil by itself, but it is rapidly becoming the perfect tool for false miracles. Artificial intelligence can simulate reality; holograms can mimic resurrection; propaganda can make lies sound divine. The world is being tuned to accept the impossible — and that acceptance is the first step toward spiritual surrender.

The Final Resistance

The Prophet ﷺ promised that Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) will descend to earth, confront the Dajjal at the gate of Lod (Lydda, near Tel Aviv), and end his deception once and for all. Truth will triumph, and the illusion will collapse.

But before that victory, every believer will face the same question: What is truth?

The Qur’an offers a simple shield:

“Recite the opening verses of Surah Al-Kahf, for they will protect you from the trials of the Dajjal.”

Faith is not merely belief — it is discernment. In the coming age, when deception becomes indistinguishable from reality, discernment will be our greatest weapon.

Conclusion

The prophecies of Islam and the visions of Jewish eschatology converge on one chilling idea: a man will rise who will change the world as we know it. To some, he will be a savior. To others, the ultimate deceiver.

We are not there yet — but the signs of preparation surround us: moral confusion, technological illusions, and a world hungry for a false kind of salvation.

The Age of Deception is not coming.

It’s already here.

And in this age, the greatest act of rebellion is simple — to see through the illusion and hold on to truth.