Q. A Pakistani paper published a report about an one-eyed person who behaves very strangely, and is not harmed by fire or any other weapon. Could this be the Dajjal the Prophet warned against? Could you please give some information about the Dajjal?
Naseer • Jeddah
A. The Dajjal, or the Impostor, is a person who claims to be the Messiah and then claims to be God Himself. He has one eye, and according to the Hadiths that mention him, he has at his command two rivers, one full of fire and the other water. Believers will be able to see him for what he truly is, and realize that the water river he has is in fact one full of fire, while the other is full of cool drinkable water. There is nothing in the Hadiths related by Muslim to suggest that he is indestructible, but he will have large following and will remain in power for forty days, one of them like a week, and one like a month and one like a year.
The Dajjal will try to make people believe that he is God and to worship him. Anyone who does dooms himself to unbelief and incurs God’s punishment. He may be able to sway people to his side by showing them that he can bring them much luxury, but all that he brings has no reality.
The report you mention about a one-eyed person who behaves strangely does not seem to fit the description given in these Hadiths. May I advise you not to dwell much on such reports or on the Dajjal, other than to seek shelter with God against all temptation that leads to error.
Arab News Islam 22 August 2003