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Introduction

The religious worldview known as Islam includes beliefs that extend beyond the present life and into a future time when major events will reshape society. Many Muslims believe that these end-time events hinge on the emergence of a great leader known as the Mahdi, the triumphant return of a figure identified as the Muslim Jesus, and the appearance of a deceiver called the Dajjal. Debates have intensified about how these teachings shape both individual hopes and global aspirations within Islamic communities.

Christians, by contrast, look to Jesus Christ as the literal Son of God who will return in glory, raise the dead, and judge the living and the dead. Christians believe that salvation depends on what Christ has already accomplished through his sacrificial death and resurrection. Therefore, the two faiths differ significantly regarding the identity of Jesus and the nature of his future role. This article examines classical Islamic eschatology by comparing its main figures and events with the biblical accounts. It also offers a vantage point on why these differing portrayals matter for Christians who desire to understand Islam and to engage Muslims compassionately and knowledgeably.

How Islam Sees the Future

Islam has distinct notions of what happens after death, along with events that mark the final phase of human history. The Qur’an describes the resurrection of all people at the Day of Reckoning and sets forth the prospect of Heaven (Paradise) or Hell. Many specific details about the Mahdi, the Muslim Jesus, and the Dajjal (an adversary figure) appear in the Hadith, which are collections of traditions attributed to the prophet Muhammad. While these teachings vary in detail between Sunni and Shia sects, several themes remain widely accepted.

First, Muslims commonly believe that when people die, two angels named Munkar and Nakir meet them in the grave. These angels ask important questions such as whether the person recognized Allah, whether Muhammad was a true prophet, and whether the teachings of Islam shaped their conduct. The soul waits in a state of comfort or torment until the final resurrection, when it will be reunited with a resurrected body.

Islamic doctrine also includes the concept of specific signs indicating that the end is near. Muslims generally speak of lesser and greater signs. Certain lesser signs involve moral decay, wars, and calamities. Key greater signs revolve around one known as the Mahdi, who is thought to appear at a time of chaos to bring justice and unify the Muslim world. Afterward, the Muslim Jesus returns from heaven, confronts the Dajjal, and helps the Mahdi secure victory. When the entire world has submitted to Islam, the final judgment arrives, at which point the righteous enter Paradise and the unrighteous go to Hell.

The Mahdi as Central Savior Figure

Among the major signs of the last days in Islamic tradition, the most prominent is the arrival of the Mahdi (literally “the guided one”). In both Sunni and Shia Islam, the Mahdi is the long-anticipated champion who will emerge as a powerful religious, political, and military leader. His role as the final caliph means he will unify Muslims and subdue opposition so that Islam stands supreme worldwide.

Most Sunnis believe the Mahdi has not yet been born, so they await his appearance. By contrast, the largest branch of Shia Islam, known as “Twelver Shia,” identifies the Mahdi with the Twelfth Imam, said to be Muhammad ibn Hassan al-Mahdi, a descendant of Muhammad’s daughter Fatima. They believe he was born in the ninth century C.E., that he disappeared into a hidden realm (the “Great Occultation”), and that he will reemerge at the proper time. Shia leaders such as the former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have publicly stated that governments ought to prepare the world for the Mahdi’s rule.

Although Shia and Sunni teachings may differ on the details, both regard the Mahdi as the one whose reign ushers in an era of righteousness. Tradition says he will bring political and military success, culminating in Islam’s dominance. Some hadith mention that he will negotiate a treaty for seven years and eventually make Jerusalem the administrative center of the Muslim world. Another tradition says that he marches behind a black flag, conquering lands until no religion exists except Islam.

The Role of the Muslim Jesus

Closely tied to the appearance of the Mahdi is the return of Jesus—referred to as Isa in Islam. He is not regarded as the divine Son of God but rather as a mighty prophet who never died. Instead, Muslims say he was taken up to heaven by Allah and will one day descend to complete his life’s mission.

This figure, identified as the Muslim Jesus, serves a function that sharply differs from the biblical portrayal. Islamic traditions say that he will appear in the midst of a great prayer gathering, presumably in Damascus, and will join forces with the Mahdi. He will refuse a leadership role, acknowledging instead that the Mahdi takes precedence. Together, they will suppress unbelief. The Muslim Jesus is expected to abolish Christianity by breaking crosses (symbolically eliminating worship of Jesus as Son of God), killing swine (presumably enforcing Islamic dietary law), and removing the jizyah tax (a head tax that allowed non-Muslims some level of tolerated status). Without the jizyah, the only choices left to Christians or Jews would be to convert to Islam or face execution. Some hadith mention that the Muslim Jesus will personally kill the Dajjal, guaranteeing the Mahdi’s uncontested rule, and afterward live on the earth for about forty years before dying a natural death.

The Dajjal and His Downfall

The third major character in Islamic eschatology is the Dajjal, an end-time deceiver who functions as the false messiah or antichrist figure. The hadith portray him as a deceiver who can work counterfeit miracles, leading many astray. He is said to be blind in one eye, with the Arabic word for “unbeliever” (kafir) written on his forehead. Authentic Muslims will supposedly discern the word and resist him, while others will be duped by his signs and wonders. The Dajjal’s main base is said to be the Jewish community, and his forces will gather to fight the Mahdi and the Muslim Jesus. Eventually, the Muslim Jesus kills the Dajjal, thereby clearing the path for global Islamic governance.

Death, Judgment, and Paradise or Hell

After this sequence of events—Mahdi’s triumph, Jesus’ arrival, and Dajjal’s defeat—Islamic teaching looks to the Day of Reckoning, a universal judgment. All souls will be raised, joined to newly formed bodies, and gathered before Allah. A sifting occurs, placing each individual on either the “saved” side or the “doomed” side. Believers who performed sufficiently well and received Allah’s mercy cross a razor-thin bridge, called the Bridge of Sirat, to reach Paradise. Those who fail on the bridge fall into Hell’s fire.

Paradise (Jannah) is described as a lush garden containing streams of water, milk, honey, and even a form of wine that does not intoxicate. Many hadith references also include celestial maidens with large eyes, created for righteous Muslim men. The faithful find every earthly pleasure realized in perfect form. On the other side, the unbelievers face Jahannam (Hell), depicted as fiery torment. Some traditions say that the majority of its occupants will be women, prompting concern about what the afterlife holds for women of faith, if men are rewarded with houris or virgins.

Critical Observations of the Traditional View

Muslims who read the Qur’an find only general references to the resurrection, final judgment, and eternal destinies. Specific details regarding the Mahdi, the Muslim Jesus, and the Dajjal derive largely from the Hadith, whose reliability varies. There are conflicting versions of the same events, and some references may be drawn from earlier sources such as Judaism, Christianity, or even Zoroastrianism. This prompts questions about how thoroughly a believing Muslim can verify the eschatological timeline.

Observers also note the potential influence of Persian traditions—Zoroastrian concepts of a savior, a fiery end-time confrontation with evil, and a heavenly afterlife—on the hadith-based depiction of the Mahdi and final events. Certain elements, including a bridging test that determines the soul’s fate, appear in Zoroastrian beliefs and later reappear in Islamic writings. Though some argue that Islam merely restores a once-pure religion corrupted over time, it remains plausible that these ideas were borrowed, adapted, or revised.

Another area that raises debate is the concept of seventy-two virgins for martyred men in Paradise. While the Qur’an does speak of companions with beautiful eyes, the exact number seventy-two is more closely linked to hadith references compiled by figures like al-Tirmidhi, centuries after Muhammad’s death. This promise of virgins surfaces frequently in extremist recruitment rhetoric, although some Muslim reformers interpret the relevant terms to mean “fragrant grapes” or “crystal fruits,” not women. Arguments persist as to which reading is more authentic. In any case, the promise of sensual gratification in the afterlife for men has drawn criticism from Christian theologians, who ask how such an arrangement is consistent with moral or spiritual purity.

Finally, some components of Islamic eschatology appear to legitimize deception in warfare. The principle of taqiyya allows concealment or misrepresentation of beliefs under certain circumstances, typically to protect the Muslim community or further the cause of Islam. This practice troubles outsiders who see no alignment between faithful conduct and sanctioned lies. It also suggests the possibility that adherents’ statements about Islam’s peacefulness may sometimes serve strategic interests rather than reflect the full truth.

Comparing Islamic and Christian Figures

When Christians read about the Mahdi, the Muslim Jesus, and the Dajjal, they may sense a mirror inversion of their own eschatological narrative, which places Jesus Christ at the center, along with a final Antichrist and a supportive False Prophet. The parallels are striking, yet they seem reversed in moral stance. From a Christian vantage point, the Mahdi’s role eerily resembles that of the scriptural Antichrist, while the Muslim Jesus mirrors the function of the biblical False Prophet, and the Dajjal could stand as an inverted portrayal of Jesus himself. This reversal leads some researchers to label Islamic end-time doctrine a grand counterfeit or anti-parallel, possibly representing what the Bible calls “a strong delusion” (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

A Christian reading of Revelation 13 presents the Beast (Antichrist) as a powerful leader with global influence. He forges alliances, executes those who resist worshiping him, and seeks the destruction of the saints. The Mahdi, as described in Islamic sources, also wields immense political and religious power, uniting Muslims worldwide under a single caliphate and forcing conversion upon dissenters. Another passage, Revelation 19:20, pictures a secondary figure known as the False Prophet who performs false signs, leading people to worship the Beast. This might stand parallel to the Muslim Jesus who performs wonders, compels Christians to accept the Mahdi’s authority, and kills those who refuse. Lastly, the Bible identifies Jesus Christ as the ultimate warrior-king who returns to judge the nations. However, Islam’s Dajjal is said to be a dangerous impostor who tries to draw followers away from Allah.

Although these parallels are not necessarily recognized by every Muslim, the possibility that these storylines could confuse countless people points to the scriptural warnings about massive end-time deception. Jesus himself cautioned his disciples: “See that no one leads you astray” (Matthew 24:4, ESV). The apostle Paul also wrote that the man of lawlessness will come with “all wicked deception” for those who do not receive the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, ESV). Christians therefore must remain alert to the possibility that Islam’s eschatology offers an alternative narrative that inverts the biblical outlook.

Reflections for Christian Engagement

The presence of intense end-time expectations in Islam does not mean that every Muslim invests daily thought in these scenarios. Many identify simply with a faith they inherited and place greater emphasis on moral living, prayer, or personal piety than on the Mahdi or the Dajjal. Yet certain militant groups, such as ISIS, publicly cited these apocalyptic hopes to justify extreme violence, believing they could hasten the final showdown in regions like Syria. This underscores how prophecy can inspire not only comfort but also fanatic actions.

These teachings raise challenges for Christian interactions with Muslims, especially regarding the identity of Jesus. For the Muslim, Jesus is an honored prophet who never died on the cross. For the Christian, Jesus is the risen Lord who conquered sin and death, the unique Son of God who will judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). Muslims confidently assert that the Jesus of Christianity has been distorted and that their version is the true prophet. Yet the Gospels and apostolic letters bear abundant testimony that Jesus claimed equality with God (John 5:17–23) and accomplished redemption through his shed blood (Ephesians 1:7).

Christians can use points of overlap—both faiths affirm a final judgment, a real heaven, and a real hell—as a bridge for dialogue. In that process, believers can explain that only the sacrifice of Christ provides a certain basis for hope, rather than uncertain personal merit. While Muslims view their future as hinging on good deeds weighed by Allah, Scripture presents salvation as the undeserved gift of God’s grace. Also, Christian teachers highlight that Jesus calls his disciples to truthfulness. He never endorsed deception to advance his message. By contrast, some radical Muslim movements have cited taqiyya to justify false promises or treaties as strategic ploys.

Considering the Big Picture

Whatever the precise timetable of final events, the biblical message regarding deception retains urgent relevance. Jesus said that “false christs and false prophets will arise” (Matthew 24:24, ESV). The apostle John noted that the spirit of the antichrist denies the identity of Jesus as the incarnate Son (1 John 4:1–3). Islam explicitly denies that Jesus is God’s Son and rejects the crucifixion. Its final scenario envisions the demise of Christianity at the hands of the Mahdi and the Muslim Jesus, toppling crosses and removing the possibility of worshiping Jesus as Lord.

Some interpreters assert that a time may come when the figure Muslims call the Mahdi emerges as a global contender, claiming to offer solutions to worldwide upheaval. Should that happen, it would indeed fit the biblical profile of one who exalts himself above all, enforcing universal worship (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4). Whether or not the final Antichrist arrives by an Islamic route, Christians should remain watchful, test all teachings by Scripture, and be aware that many in the world may be swept away by persuasive claims.

Sharing Hope with Muslims

While some Christians take a confrontational stance toward the entire Muslim world, others place emphasis on building relationships of trust. Christians who keep in mind that every Muslim is a person made in the image of God can model the attitude of Christ, who calls the weary to find rest in him (Matthew 11:28–30). Explanations of biblical prophecy and references to the cross may need patience. Yet many former Muslims testify that as they encountered Scripture, they experienced a revelation of the real Jesus, leading them to faith.

This implies that believers are wise to maintain a strong foundation in biblical teachings. They can gently underscore points where Islamic eschatology diverges from the Bible. For instance, Christians can explain that while Muslims give lip service to Jesus as Messiah, they contradict the biblical meaning of that title. Or, where Muslims hold the Mahdi must come and forcibly convert the world, Christians can share how Jesus invites, but does not coerce, the surrender of hearts. Christians can also highlight the scriptural resurrection of Christ as a guaranteed pledge of forgiveness for those who repent.

Concluding Thoughts

Islamic eschatology envisions the world’s final chapter unfolding under the dominance of Islam, led by the Mahdi and assisted by the Muslim Jesus, both of whom eliminate the Dajjal. The Day of Reckoning follows, yielding eternal reward for faithful Muslims and punishment for unbelievers. Christians recognize in these claims a narrative that inverts or distorts their own teaching about Christ’s return, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. While some may find the similarities surprising, a more searching look exposes serious contradictions concerning the identity of Jesus, the path to salvation, and the essence of God’s plan for humanity.

For Christians, the biblical Christ is the eternal Son who finished his redemptive work. As Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches, salvation flows from grace, not from the uncertain tally of good deeds. In the face of widespread deception, believers remain anchored to the sure promises of Scripture. They recall the apostle’s counsel that “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (2 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV). Whether the final enemy appears under an Islamic banner or another form of false religiosity, the resolution remains the same: Jesus Christ will triumph, judge the nations, and establish a kingdom in which righteousness dwells.

Christians who love their Muslim neighbors hold out the hope that many will turn from a system that denies Jesus’ divine identity and come to see him as the rightful Lord. The lines drawn between Mahdi or Messiah highlight that the choice stands between an eschatological scenario based on uncertain traditions and the sure biblical revelation of the glorified Christ. In so doing, Christians affirm that the real Prince of Peace is neither violent nor coercive but offers rest and life everlasting to all who place their trust in him.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).