The Greatest Fitnah: Dajjal and the Age of Deception

In this powerful khutbah, Dr. Omar Suleiman explores the profound connection between our rapidly advancing digital world and the growing fitna (trial) of deception foretold in the end times. As technologies like virtual reality, the metaverse, and AI blur the lines between illusion and reality, the tools of deception become more sophisticated-conditioning hearts and minds for the ultimate deceiver, Dajjal (the Antichrist).

Dr. Suleiman reflects on how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned of a time when truth would be seen as falsehood and falsehood as truth-a world eerily similar to ours today. This khutbah is both a timely warning and a spiritual guide, reminding us how to anchor ourselves in faith, knowledge, and divine guidance amidst an age of unprecedented confusion and illusion.

The Reality of False Messiahs Across History

• Throughout history and in every scripture, the concept of false messiahs persists.
• Some false messiahs are more sophisticated, with advanced tools of deception.
• In Judaism, for instance, multiple false messiahs have appeared, culminating in the expectation of the ultimate false messiah before the true Messiah.
• In Islam, this ultimate false messiah is Al-Dajjal (the Antichrist), whose deception surpasses all others.

The Rise of Dajjal: Tools and Deception

• The modern era has seen a surge in the tools of deception-TV, smartphones, social media, and now the metaverse.
• These tools are not Dajjal himself but represent forms of deception that prepare the world for his arrival.
• Dajjal is described in hadith as the master deceiver, with ultimate optical illusions and tricks that play with perception like no other before him.

How to Protect Ourselves from Dajjal: Five Prescriptions

1. Iman (Faith) Before It's Too Late

• The Prophet ﷺ said there will come a time when faith is no longer accepted if one waits too long.
• Specifically, when three major signs occur-the rising of the sun from the west, the beast, and Dajjal-new faith will no longer benefit a person.

2. Knowledge of Dajjal

• Every prophet warned their followers about Dajjal.
• The Prophet ﷺ described him clearly:
  • He is one-eyed, while Allah is not one-eyed.
  • The word "Kafir" (disbeliever) is written between his eyes.

3. The Daily Dua for Protection

• The Prophet ﷺ taught us to seek refuge from four things at the end of every salah:
  • Punishment of Hellfire
  • Punishment of the grave
  • The trials of life and death
  • The evil of the trial of Dajjal
• If one neglects salah, this protection is forfeited.

4. Memorizing Surah Al-Kahf

• Memorize the first ten verses (and according to another narration, the last ten verses) of Surah Al-Kahf.
• These verses provide spiritual protection from Dajjal's deception, just as the People of the Cave sought refuge from worldly trials.

5. Flee from Fitnah

• The Prophet ﷺ instructed:
  • Avoid confrontation with Dajjal.
  • Even a believer may be confused by his deception.
  • In general, avoid environments that challenge or weaken faith.

The World That Precedes Dajjal: The Years of Deception

• Dajjal does not appear randomly; his rise is preceded by a global culture of deception.
• The Prophet ﷺ said: "Before Dajjal there will be years of deception."
• Characteristics of this era include:
  • Truth-tellers being labeled as liars.
  • Liars being perceived as truthful.
  • Trustworthy people are discredited.
  • Treacherous people are honored.
  • The most disgraceful, ignorant people become public voices.

The Shallow Reality of Modern Times

• The modern world creates shallow perceptions:
  • People can't see past graphics, media, and illusions.
  • As tools of deception improve, people become more blind to truth.
• Faith suffers because people demand instant, visible proof.
• Ironically, those who reject the concept of Dajjal because they "can't see him" are most susceptible to his optical illusions.

How Dajjal Exploits Modern Weaknesses

• Dajjal knows he's an imposter.
• When confronted with real divine power (like Isa عليه السلام), he flees and melts.
• His greatest deception is presenting his fake Jannah (paradise) and fake Jahannam (hell):
  • His paradise is actually hellfire.
  • His hellfire is actually paradise.
• The Prophet ﷺ said if you ever face this deception:
  • "Lower your gaze and drink from what appears to be boiling water. It will actually be cool and safe."

The Core of Dajjal's Temptation: Instant Gratification

• People today are primed for this deception because of:
  • A culture of immediate satisfaction.
  • A rejection of long-term consequences.
  • A desire to create a reality based purely on personal desires.
• Some will accept Dajjal's fake paradise not because they believe he is God but because they have lost hope in life's meaning.

Dajjal's Deception Mirrors Two Greater Deceptions

1. The Deception of Dunya (Worldly Life)

• The world beautifies itself with superficial allure-"Zeenat al-Dunya" (adornment of this world).

2. The Deception of Shaytan (Satan)

• Shaytan convinces people that the consequences won't be that bad.
• The false promise: "Enjoy now, worry about the consequences later."

Conclusion: The Ultimate Warning and Prayer

• Dajjal's deception is the final product of the deception of the dunya and Shaytan.
• To protect ourselves:
  • Strengthen faith.
  • Gain knowledge.
  • Maintain consistent prayers and supplications.
  • Avoid deceptive environments.
  • Keep focus on the Akhirah (Hereafter) rather than the illusions of the dunya.

"May Allah protect us from the fitan (trials) of Dajjal and of this world. May He grant us clarity, strong faith, and the ability to see through deception. Ameen."

( Source: Virtual Reality & the Fitna of Dajjal | Khutbah - Dr. Omar Suleiman, Yaqeen Institute, December 6, 2021 )