The root of dajjal is ‘dajl’, which means to deceive. When a metal is given a gold polish to simulate gold, this process of polishing is called Dajl. Dajjal means deceiver. Dajjal is the superlative degree, that is, a great deceiver.

In later times dajjal has been called the deceiver because he will act deceitfully. He will indulge in gross misrepresentation of the truth to the people to mislead them. Another name for Dajl in ideological matters is a misinterpretation, i.e., an incorrect or false explanation. Dajjal will not wield the sword for this purpose, for people cannot be misled by the sword—only false reasoning can mislead them.

Such acts of Dajl have repeatedly occurred in the world. However, the invention of the printing press and the media has enormously increased the scope of Dajl, which is now unparalleled in human history. Dajjal is no mysterious personality. The earlier dajjal who could carry out deception on a very small scale has been replaced by a dajjal who can do so on a very great scale.

The political interpretation of Islam can be said to be the greatest form of dajjaliyat. This political interpretation of Islam is based on a dangerous fallacy, i.e., that religion is another name for a “complete system” and that the goal of religion is not just worship of and devotion to God, but is, the implementation and enforcement of the civil and criminal laws of religion. Since implementing these laws has never been possible without the possession of power, it is natural that the possession of power by force has become the overriding goal of these movements. This religious form of politics, when carried into effect, has caused great harm.

For the first time in the modern age, it has become possible to perform dawah work, i.e., calling people to God, based on scientific arguments or proofs. The divine message could have been communicated worldwide far more effectively than has been done to date through modern communications. However, this great potential has not been realized simply because those who performed dawah work have become engaged in futile political activities. Negative thinking among Muslims, violence, extremism, and an unsympathetic attitude towards others result from a political interpretation of Islam. This political interpretation has given birth to the hate culture among Muslims.