In Islamic theology, the figure most often compared to the Biblical Antichrist is al-Masīḥ al-Dajjāl (the False Messiah). While the Qur’an does not provide a physical description of Dajjāl, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ offered remarkably detailed accounts of his appearance through authenticated prophetic traditions (ḥadīth). These descriptions are among the most vivid physical portrayals of any end-times figure in Islamic eschatology and serve an important purpose: to enable believers to recognize and reject deception.
Although the term “Antichrist” originates from Christian theology, Muslim scholars have long acknowledged strong parallels between the Biblical Antichrist and the Islamic Dajjāl. Both figures are deceivers, false claimants to divine authority, and central antagonists in end-times narratives. This article examines the physical characteristics of Dajjāl as described by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, while noting their relevance to broader Antichrist traditions.
Dajjāl as a Human Being
One of the most significant aspects of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ descriptions is that Dajjāl is fully human, not a symbolic force or abstract evil. The Prophet explicitly stated that Dajjāl would eat, drink, walk through markets, and have a physical body. This emphasis counters claims of divinity and reinforces Islam’s strict monotheism (tawḥīd).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There has never been a prophet who did not warn his people about the one-eyed liar.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
The warning implies that Dajjāl’s deception would be so powerful that only those who recognize his physical signs would avoid being misled.
The Most Distinctive Feature: The Deformed Eye
The most frequently mentioned and unmistakable physical trait of Dajjāl is his defective eye. Multiple authentic narrations describe him as one-eyed, though scholars clarify that this does not mean he has only one eye, but that one eye is severely impaired.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The Dajjāl is blind in one eye; his eye looks like a floating grape.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Other narrations describe the eye as:
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Bulging
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Withered
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Deformed
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Neither fully functional nor absent
Importantly, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized:
“Indeed, Allah is not one-eyed.”
This statement underscores the theological lesson: physical imperfection disproves Dajjāl’s claim to divinity. In contrast to God’s perfection, Dajjāl’s body visibly reflects limitation and defect.
The Inscription on His Forehead
Another extraordinary physical description is the writing on Dajjāl’s forehead. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Between his eyes will be written ‘ك ف ر’ (K-F-R), which every believer will read, whether he is literate or illiterate.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
The letters spell kāfir, meaning “disbeliever.” Scholars explain that this inscription may be literal, metaphorical, or perceptible through spiritual insight granted by God. Regardless, it is described as a visible physical sign that distinguishes Dajjāl from true prophets.
This feature has no parallel in Biblical descriptions of the Antichrist, highlighting the uniquely tangible nature of Islamic eschatology.
Complexion, Hair, and Build
The Prophet ﷺ also described Dajjāl’s general appearance in human terms, making him recognizable rather than monstrous.
Authentic narrations describe him as:
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Fair-skinned or reddish-white
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Short and stocky
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Broad-chested
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Having thick, coarse, curly hair
One narration compares his hair to the branches of a tree, emphasizing its density and roughness. Another describes him as resembling a man from a known Arab tribe, reinforcing that he will look convincingly human.
These descriptions suggest that Dajjāl will not appear overtly demonic, but rather physically ordinary, which makes his deception more dangerous.
Impaired Vision as a Spiritual Symbol
Islamic scholars have long noted that Dajjāl’s defective eye symbolizes more than a physical flaw. It represents spiritual blindness—the inability to perceive truth despite possessing worldly power and knowledge.
This symbolism aligns closely with Biblical themes, where the Antichrist is described as one who blinds humanity through false signs and wonders. In Islam, however, this spiritual blindness is made visible through physical impairment, reinforcing the unity of inner and outer reality.
Why Physical Description Matters in Islam
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not provide these details for curiosity or sensationalism. Instead, they serve a protective function. By giving believers precise physical markers, he ensured that no charismatic claims, miracles, or political power could override clear, observable truth.
The Prophet ﷺ even compared Dajjāl to himself in physical appearance so companions could distinguish between a true prophet and a false one.
“I resemble Abraham, and Jesus resembles Urwah ibn Mas‘ūd, and the closest resemblance to Dajjāl is Ibn Qatan.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This comparison further grounds Dajjāl in physical reality.
Conclusion
The physical descriptions of the Antichrist-like figure known as al-Masīḥ al-Dajjāl, as conveyed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, are among the most detailed in religious literature. His one-eyed deformity, the inscription on his forehead, his human form, and his bodily imperfections all serve to expose the falsehood of his claims.
While Christianity and Islam differ in theological framing, both traditions warn of a deceptive end-times figure who will mislead many. Islam’s contribution to this discourse lies in its remarkably concrete and physical portrayal, ensuring that believers rely not on spectacle or power, but on discernment, faith, and recognition of truth.
In the end, the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ descriptions remind humanity that falsehood, no matter how powerful, always carries the mark of imperfection.
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