Publisher's Synopsis
Hafiz 'Abd al-Ghani ibn 'Abd al-Wahid al-Maqdisi's Reports on the Dajjal (Akhbar al-Dajjal) is a collection of Prophetic narrations that mention the Dajjal, known in English as the Antichrist.
The subject of the Dajjal, the Antichrist, is one which generates much speculation, which in turn often leads to confusion. It is hoped that publication of this collection will help to clarify the most important issues related to this matter, and help us to draw lessons that are useful and applicable to our own lives. In turn, this clearer understanding may help us to warn those who are close to us about the great trial of the Dajjal and its dangers, and to take steps to protect our own faith and that of our loved ones.
The majority of this text consists of the hadith themselves, which are given with their full chain of narrators. Citations to the source of each hadith in the major collections are included in the footnotes; where a narration is present in more than one of the major collections, all citations are included. The text also includes light commentary from both the author and translator when appropriate, regarding the hadith itself, its narrators, the strength of its chain, and other points.
This edition includes Arabic text with full vowels, as well as the English translation.
Hafiz 'Abd al-Ghani al-Maqdisi was originally from the Jamma'il district of Nablus. His origin (al-Maqdisi) is ascribed to Jerusalem, as Nablus and all its districts are considered part of the jurisdiction of Jerusalem. He was most likely born in the month of Rabi' al-Akhir in the year 541 AH/1146 CE. At an early age, his family moved from Jerusalem to the area of the Abu Salih Mosque just outside the eastern gate of Damascus. Then, they moved again to the foot of Mount Qasioun. There, they built an estate, calling it Dar al-Hanabilah (the Abode of the Ḥanbalis).
The Hafiz had a pious upbringing in Damascus. He began studying and traveling for knowledge, and heard hadiths as well as most of the books from the majority of scholars in Damascus, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Egypt, Baghdad, Harran, Mosul, Isfahan, and Hamadan. His inclination in scholarship was towards hadith.
The Sheikh was known for his worship and his generosity. He was also generous and kind to the students of knowledge. He was of keen intellect and insight and had a light on his face. He used all his time in beneficial matters and did not waste a moment. Some of the scholars said, "No one among Ahl al-Sunnah saw him except that he fell in love with him."
Hafiz al-Maqdisi passed away in Cairo in the month of Rabi? al-Awwal in the year 600 AH. He was just under sixty years old. He was buried in the Qarafah graveyard in Egypt.
