Session One: Dajjal and the Feminist Revolution
Today we returned to the Hadith of Jibril, when that stranger visited Muhammad toward the end of his life whom no one in Medina knew, yet showed no signs of dust on his clothes. So, he must have been an outsider, but not a traveler. The stranger sits so close to the Prophet that their knees touch, an egregious breach of security. So, we know they are familiar. When he asks the prophet about the Last Day the prophet answers, "The one being asked knows no more than the one asking," which is a clever answer. It tells us that Muhammad not only knew the stranger, but knew the depth of his knowledge. And then the stranger asked concerning the Signs of the Last Day. On day two we recognized that Bedouins are already competing in the building of tall structures. On day three we explained how the slave girl became enslaved, through usurious lending from the International Monetary Fund. Today we discussed how the slave girl gives birth to her mistress.
The analogy of gender the Shaikh uses comes from the Quran. The male and female are created like the day and the night to compliment each other, not supersede or dominate one another. Though they are created as Muhammad taught, "equal halves of one another," they serve different functions, and have different attributes. He laments the violations of the rights of women experienced at the hands of Muslim men and insists that this will not be allowed to occur in the Muslim village. That women will pray in the same space as the men, and men who have the hubris to physically abuse their wives will have a problem with the other men in the village. When men and women live together there is excitement like the explosion of color in the sky when the night meets the day. If we live this way in our families, observing proper limits, we will be in a state of nature.
As the Shaikh describes, the modern world does not live in a state of nature. The historic oppression of women has driven them into the arms of the Feminist Revolution, which encourages the night to emulate the day. In doing so it destroys the concept of femininity. Women are encouraged pursue full time careers, dressing like men, speaking like men, thinking like men. Often they live lifestyles that can decrease their fertility, or they simply delay child bearing until they have few fertile years left. Others have had their concept of feminine beauty destroyed by advertisements that use the female form as an object of marketing, and so they avoid pregnancy to maintain their figure. And for some bearing children is merely a problem of convenience. It's hard to spend 9 months heavy with child, and another year breast feeding and still compete with the men at the office.
Many rich women from Western nations have touched on a simple solution. They rent the wombs of poverty stricken women in third world countries. This is happening today in India, Bangladesh and others. They lift a poor girl out of poverty, and for 9 months they treat her like a queen. She is fed balanced meals and bottled water because she's carrying a first class baby. When the baby is born the rich woman pays the poor girl some agreed amount and sends her back to her slum. Then she takes the baby to be raised in the ruling class.
In this way the slave girl gives birth to her mistress. We have already seen the completion of both signs described by the Angel Jibril in this hadith.
Session Two: Gog and Magog Part I
Today we come to the climax of the entire retreat, which is the release of the Imran Hosein's newest book, "An Islamic view of Gog and Magog in the Modern World." This is his first attempt to explain the subject, although the Shaikh admits that it may require a second edition after it has been evaluated by others. I have to admit that this was relatively new information to me, especially part II. I am still in the process of confirming his research.
We find Gog and Magog in the Surah Kahf, which we discussed on day two. Surrah Kahf describes a righteous leader named Dhul-Qarnayn, literally "He of the Two Horns" but also meaning "He of the Two Epoches." He travels between two bodies of water which scholars have identified as the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, which means that he was traveling over the Caucasus Mountains. Then he travels North and comes across a people between two mountain ranges who spoke a unique language. They were being persecuted by a people so powerful none but Allah could destroy them, so Dhul-Qarnayn built a barrier made of iron. These people, behind the barrier, are Gog and Magog, and it is expected that in the Last Age that barrier is broken, and Gog and Magog are released into the world, using their power to oppress people of faith and control the entire world, politically, economically and culturally.
The Hadith Qudsi tell us that Allah will command Adam to select out the people for the Hellfire. Out of every 1,000 Adam will take 999, and they would all be the people of Gog and Magog. For this reason Shaikh Imran believes that Gog and Magog are not a race of people or an army, as many have argued in the past, but a global society. In this way an African, or Indian or Chinese man, who may have no ancestral roots in the Caucus Mountains may still be from among the people of Gog and Magog by dressing and acting and thinking like they do. Eventually all of mankind will be carbon copies of one way of life.
The only other reference to Gog and Magog in the Quran is when Surah Anbiya refers to a town which Allah destroyed, and it's people were expelled and banned from returning to the town until Gog and Magog are released. Shaikh Imran interprets, from various evidences outlined in his book, that the town is Jerusalem, which was given to the Israelites, and subsequently destroyed when the Israelites were banned from returning. So, the creation of the secular state of Israel as a Jewish homeland is an indication that we are living in the age of Gog and Magog's release, and Gog and Magog can be recognizes and modern western civilization.
Session Three: Gog and Magog Part II
In the second half of the day Imran Hosein attempts to identify Gog and Magog more accurately and follow their footprints in History.
It is recorded in the hadith that the prophet awoke suddenly, his face red with fear and proclaimed "Woe unto the Arab!" He said that on that day a small hole was made in the barrier built by Dhul-Qarnayn. So, we know that they began being released in his time.
It is also recorded in the hadith that Gog and Magog will drink from the Sea of Galilee until it is dried up. Today the Sea of Galilee is the primary source of fresh water in Israel, and it is already dangerously low. In fact, water has to be pumped uphill to keep the Jordan River flowing. It's a basic fact of nature, making a dessert bloom is unsustainable.
The Shaikh goes back to that region in the Caucasus Mountains to try to refine the search. He cautioned people away from making blanket statements about all Jews and all Christians, or even all European Jews and European Christians. Instead he focuses specifically on a tribe called the Khazar.
The Khazars were a tribe of nomadic Turkic people from the Northern Caucasus Mountains. So, this fits the geographic description in Surah Kahf. In the 8th century the Khazars embraced Judaism making it the official state religion. So, for the first time in history a tribe of non Semitic, non Israelite people, became Jewish.
The Khazar spread through Europe and Russia and as they did they also became Christian. He credits them with the Bolshevik Revolution and the French Revolution. He says, as evidenced in his book, that it was these European Jews and European Christians who formed the alliance that gave birth to the Zionist Movement, which is an essentially European achievement. Shikh Imran insists that Zionism has absolutely nothing to do with traditional Judaism.
This is his thesis, which he invites critiques of. As with all things, he invites civil disagreement about his ideas, and doesn't ask anyone to accept them on his assertion alone, but to consider the evidense he presents.
First Impressions
Session One: Signs of the Last Day and the Reality of the Modern Age
Session Two: Islam’s Conception of the End of Time
Session Four: Surah Kahf in the Modern Age
An Islamic Response to the Political and Economic Challenges of the Modern Age
Session One: Dajjal and the Feminist Revolution
Session Two: Gog and Magog Part I
Session Three: Gog and Magog Part II
Session One: Islam and it's Political Order
Session Two: A brief history of the fall of the Islamic Caliphate
Comments
Davi, Peace be upon you!
I appreciate your open, logical approach to tackling these questions.
Interesting topic! Sura Kahf treats the early Christians at its beginning and the latter (present) ones towards its end...
All prophecies don't have to be taken literally. They are most likely similes/parables/metaphors. In Quran and Hadith, special attention should be paid to the words used to describe future figures/nations. For example 'dajjal' derives from 'dajl' which can be translated as hoax, scam, conspiracy etc.
"Yajuj [Gog] and Majuj [Magog] are two peoples who
have been mentioned in earlier scriptures. The reason
why they are so called is that they make extensive use of
Ajij [fire], and would reign supreme on earth and dominate
every height. At the same time, a great change will
be ordained from heaven and will usher in days of peace
and amity."...
Essence of Islam, Vol 3, Chapter 9: Gog and Magog
Qamar, thank you for commenting. To be perfectly, I'm a little overwhelmed by these topics. What I'm presenting is not my own analysis, but the thesis of the Shaikh I visited in Trinidad.
I don't see any reason not to fathom these particular characters as literal. One of the Suhaba suspected a young boy was the Dajjal and the prophet said to leave him alone because if he is not the Dajjal killing him would be unjust and if he is the Dajjal you can't kill him. Which at least conceded that the Dajjal will be a physical being.
As for Juj wa Majuj, I don’t know. Plenty of hadith explicitly say that they are human beings, and not lizard people or something. I guess the Shaikh’s assertion that they are a culture and not a race is somewhat metaphorical.
What’s your theory?
Davi:
It is a little more detailed that can be answered here. I'll make an attempt: For Gog and Magog, your write up itself indicates that at least some aspects of them have to be taken figuratively and not literally.
If we take all the refs regarding Anti-Christ literally then we end up with this mythical creature. God says in the Quran that if there were angels living in the world then His messengers will be angels. So I conclude, we don't need to be looking for super-human traits either in the Messiah or Anti-Christ. In addition, God does not change His laws. If there hasn't been this fairy tale like creature in the past, why should we look for it now. Keep in mind that part of the reason Jews didn't accept Jesus Christ is because they treated the prophecy regarding 2nd coming of John the Baptist pbuh to be literal. Christians take Jesus Christ to be literal son of God. We should be careful where others have faltered. Finally, when interpreted, these prophecies---contd--
---contd---
Finally, when interpreted, these prophecies make complete sense.
I am only highlighting some aspects here, not laying down an argument...
I got my understanding of anti-christ from Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, Chapter 6, part 2.
For Gog & Magog, you can search for Essence of Islam Vol III and read chapter 9.
both of these are available for online reading.
You like made up stuff that is presented as reality, isn't it?
All this the Sheikh have presented slams straight into a wall of contradicting authenticated speeches by the prophet, which if this person was indeed a sheikh, he would have known at least half.
A small read in Ibn Kathir will divulge hadiths and authenticated speeches where it is explained the Gog and Magog are vicious barbaric beings, shorter than the waist of a man, have no culture whatsoever, and their only domination will be through sheer numbers overpowering people in the battle fields. They will be so hungry and thirsty that they will arrive at Tabariyya lake and drink it dry. There is no political or economical domination possible.
Second that hadith that Adam chose people for hell is fabricated and any child learning Islam knows this.
This is the backyard quackery of Islam that you're publishing.
Learned - I'm having trouble parsing out what you're saying, so forgive me if I've got it wrong.
His book is free online, with all his evidence. He has been studying eschatology 10 years. His other credentials are on the intro page.
Are you saying Ibn Kathir's opinion was that Gog and Magog are short barbaric creatures, or that there Hadith that say that. If so please post them. I'd be very interested.
The Tabariyya Lake is the Sea of Galilee discussed on day seven. It's almost dry now. Israel gets it's fresh water from there. Experts estimate that it has 50 years left tops.
The Shaikh says he's taking from Sahih hadith, but I don't know it's authenticity. There's no need to insult people. I am not a child, and didn't know this. I doubt most children readily recognize fabricated hadith. There's no need to call his life's work quackery. If you have evidence, post it. We're rational adults.
Yes, we're adults. We're responsible for our actions and when people of ignorance grab a hold of what is holy and speak of it with that which they do not know, it is called quackary.
Link to hadith in Mosnad Ahmed of Gog and Magog being nothing but hungry thirsty rushing hordes devouring physically food and water till they are killed, not a political and economic party of normal humans: www dot al-eman dot com/hadeeth/viewchp.asp?BID=3&CID=57&SW=%ED%C7%CC%E6%CC-%E6%E3%C7%CC%E6%CC#SR1
You need Arabic of course to read, no space here to translate though.
This next link is in English. It lists some of the hadiths about the Dajjal, that he is a one-eyed person given emense supernatural power, and will travel with an actual army made up of those who followed him. Anti-Christ will be killed before Gog and Magog even come out.
www dot islam dot tc/prophecies/masdaj.html
If you're writing without knowledge in the religion of God, you are disrespectful to it. do not expect respect
Hadith - Muslim #6924, Narrated AbuHurayrah
Allah's Apostle said: The Last Hour will not come until the Romans land at al-A'maq or in Dabiq. An army consisting of the best (soldiers) of the people on Earth at that time will come from Medina (to oppose them). When they arrange themselves in ranks, the Romans will say: Do not stand between us and those (Muslims) who took prisoners from among us. Let us fight them. The Muslims will say: Nay, by Allah, we shall never turn aside from you and from our brethren so that you may fight them. They will then fight and a third (part) of the army, whom Allah will never forgive, will run away. A third (part of the army), which will be constituted of excellent martyrs in Allah's eyes, would be killed. The third who will never be put on trial will win and they will be the conquerors of Constantinople. As they are busy in distributing the spoils of war (amongst themselves) after hanging their swords by the olive trees.... cont.
...As they are busy in distributing the spoils of war (amongst themselves) after hanging their swords by the olive trees, Satan will cry: The Dajjal has taken your place among your families. They will then come out, but it will be of no avail. When they reach Syria, he will come out while they are still preparing themselves for battle, drawing up the ranks. Certainly, the time of prayer will come and then Jesus (peace be upon him), son of Mary, descend and will lead them in prayer. When the enemy of Allah see him, it will (disappear) just as salt dissolves in water and if he (Jesus) were not to confront them at all, even then it would dissolve completely. Allah would kill them by his hand and he would show them their blood on his lance (the lance of Jesus Christ)."
That's when Gog and Magog will break through.
"Those who propagate misguidance, earn the sins of those misguided by it" Just because HE's the one who said wrong things, doesn't mean you're not responsible.
Peace
Gog and Magog:
"Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Every day, Gog and Magog try to dig a way out through the barrier. When they begin to see sunlight through it, the one who is in charge of them says, ‘Go back; you can carry on digging tomorrow,’ and when they come back, the barrier becomes stronger than it was before. This will continue until their time comes and Allah wishes to send them forth. They will dig until they begin to see sunlight, then the one who is in charge of them will say, ‘Go back; you can carry on digging tomorrow, Insha’Allah.’ In this case, he will make an exception by saying Insha’Allah, thus relating the matter to the Will of Allah. They will return on the following day, and find the hole exactly as they left it... cont
and find the hole exactly as they left it. They will carry on digging and come out against the people. They will drink all the water, and find the hole exactly as they left it, and the people will entrench themselves in their fortresses. Gog and Magog will fire their arrows into the sky, and they will fall back to earth with something like blood on them. Gog and Magog will say, ‘We have defeated the people of earth, and overcome the people of Heaven.’ Then Allah will send a kind of worm in the napes of their necks, and they will be killed by it... ‘By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is, the beasts of the earth will become fat.’” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad)"
Simple straightforward unambiguous text. To twist it into metaphoric expression has been expressed by all scholars to be Ta'weel, a forbidden act of digging desirable meanings where they do not lie, and is a major sin that can lead people into kufr.
Learned - I'm having trouble parsing out what you're saying, so forgive me if I've got it wrong.
His book is free online, with all his evidence. He has been studying eschatology 10 years. His other credentials are on the intro page.
Are you saying Ibn Kathir's opinion was that Gog and Magog are short barbaric creatures, or that there Hadith that say that. If so please post them. I'd be very interested.
The Tabariyya Lake is the Sea of Galilee discussed on day seven. It's almost dry now. Israel gets it's fresh water from there. Experts estimate that it has 50 years left tops.
The Shaikh says he's taking from Sahih hadith, but I don't know it's authenticity. There's no need to insult people. I am not a child, and didn't know this. I doubt most children readily recognize fabricated hadith. There's no need to call his life's work quackery. If you have evidence, post it. We're rational adults.
Learned - I'm not getting in a Hadith fight with you. I am unarmed. But it sounds like you misunderstand the thesis. Maybe it's my fault for writing a poor summary. Linking Arabic I can’t read is not useful to me, but maybe you’d send it to the Shaikh. The ideas are his, not mine, and his email is easy to find on Google. The Hadith you linked about the timeline is addressed in his book, which is linked above and free online. I’ve read plenty of Sahih hadith that say Gog and Magog are Bani Adam. If you’ve got a counter example in English I’d like to see it. The Romans aren’t around anymore, so some level of interpretation is necessary. But fundamentally, I’m not willing to a engage in a conversation with person who begins with the premise that they don’t respect me. So Peace.
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