In the traditions of the science of hadith, a sahabi (companion) is someone who narrates directly from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). However, there is a unique and extraordinary story in which a companion narrates an account from another companion. What are the details of this matter?
Al-Jassasah and the Dajjal
The companion Tamim Al-Dari came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and narrated an incredible story. He told the Prophet that he had embarked on a sea voyage, but the ship lost its way and ended up on an island. Seeking water, they disembarked and encountered a strange creature with long, tangled hair. Tamim asked the creature, “Who are you?” It replied, “I am Al-Jassasah.”
The companions with Tamim asked Al-Jassasah for more information, but it replied, “I will not tell you anything. Instead, go to the monastery on this island, as there is a man there eager to speak to you.” They followed Al-Jassasah’s instructions and entered the monastery, where they found a man chained. He asked them, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are Arabs.”
The chained man then asked, “What has become of the Prophet who has appeared among you?” They responded, “People have believed in him, followed him, and affirmed his truth.” The man said, “That is good for them.”
He continued, “Tell me about the spring of Zughar—what is its condition?” They informed him that it was full of water. He leapt with such force that he almost broke his chains and then asked, “What about the palm trees of Baisan? Do they still bear fruit?” When they told him they did, he again leapt violently and exclaimed, “If I were to be granted permission to roam free, I would cover the entire Earth except for Taybah (Medina).”
Tamim narrated this to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who explained the events to the people, saying, “This is Taybah (Medina), and that man is the Dajjal.”
The Famous Hadith of Al-Jassasah
This remarkable story is known as the Hadith of Al-Jassasah, a significant narration that highlights one of the signs of prophethood. Below is the full narration as recounted by Fatimah bint Qays (may Allah be pleased with her):
“I heard the caller of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) proclaiming, ‘The prayer is to be gathered.’ So I went to the mosque and prayed with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). I was in the row of women behind the men. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) finished his prayer, he sat on the pulpit smiling and said, ‘Let everyone remain in their place. Do you know why I gathered you?’ They replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’
They feared it might be a devil, so they quickly went to the monastery. There they found the largest man they had ever seen, bound with chains. His hands were tied to his neck, and his legs were shackled with iron. They said, “Woe to you! Who are you?” He replied, “You have the power to get my news, so tell me about yourselves.” They said, “We are Arabs who sailed the sea and were overtaken by waves for a month until we ended up on this island. We sat near its shore, and we encountered a creature covered in hair that could not be distinguished front from back. We said, ‘Woe to you! What are you?’ It replied, ‘I am Al-Jassasah.’ We asked, ‘What is Al-Jassasah?’ It said, ‘Go to the man in the monastery, as he is eager to know your news.’ So we came to you quickly, fearing the creature might be a devil.”
The chained man said, “Tell me about the palm trees of Baisan. Do they bear fruit?” They replied, “Yes.” He said, “Soon they will not bear fruit. Tell me about the Sea of Tiberias (Lake Tiberias). Does it have water?” They replied, “Yes, it has much water.” He said, “Soon its water will dry up. Tell me about the spring of Zughar. Does it have water, and do its people irrigate their crops with it?” They replied, “Yes, it has plenty of water, and its people irrigate their crops with it.”*
He then asked, “Tell me about the Prophet of the unlettered (Muhammad). What has he done?” They replied, “He has emerged from Mecca and settled in Yathrib (Medina).” He asked, “Have the Arabs fought him?” They replied, “Yes.” He asked, “How did he deal with them?” They replied, “He prevailed over those near him, and they obeyed him.” He said, “Has that happened?” They replied, “Yes.” He said, “It is better for them if they obey him. As for me, I am the Messiah (the Dajjal). Soon I will be given permission to emerge, and I will traverse the Earth. I will not leave a village without entering it within forty nights, except for Mecca and Taybah (Medina). Both are forbidden to me. Whenever I try to enter one of them, an angel with a drawn sword will confront me and prevent me. Around each of their entrances are angels guarding them.”*
Fatimah bint Qays (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “I memorized this from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).”
