The Legend of al-Dajjal (Antichrist): The Personification of Evil in the Islamic Tradition

There are many figures that represent evil in the Islamic tradition. Among them are Satan, Iblis, Taghut, Pharaoh, and al-Dajjal. However, the only figure with an eschatological significance is al-Dajjal. Al-Dajjal occupies an important place in the body of Hadith and manuals of Islamic theology. Very few Persian works, however, have been written on this subject. This article is concerned to offer the reader an Islamic understanding of al-Dajjal by referring to two major sources: the Quran and the Hadith. The Classical and contemporary scholar's viewpoints as well as the sources of Islamic theology will be explored. Hadith literature has a detailed account of the emergence of al-Dajjal and his struggle against Jesus and Mahdi.