NABI DAANYAAL, ISRAEL, IMAAM MAHDI AND NABI ISAA (alayhis salaam)
NABI DAANYAAL, ISRAEL, IMAAM
MAHDI AND NABI ISAA
Nabi Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) was among the Ulul Azam
(prominent, great, most senior) Ambiya of Bani Israeel. He
flourished centuries before Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam).
When the sins and transgression of the Yahood exceeded all
bounds and they degenerated into the abyss of immorality, vice,
bid’ah, fisq and fujoor, Allah Ta’ala sent the Babylonian (Iraqi)
king, Nebuchanezar against them.
From Iraq he invaded with his army the land of Bani Israaeel. He pillaged, plundered and utterly
destroyed Jerusalem. Musjidul Aqsa was shockingly desecrated
and defiled, and all the manuscripts of the Tauraah were reduced
to ashes. The Qur’aan refers to this occasion of destruction of
Bani Israaeel, Musjidul Aqsa and Jerusalem in Surah Bani
Israaeel.
The Yahood were subjected to mass slaughter. Thousands were
driven in chains to Iraq to be reduced to slavery. Among them was
Nabi Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) as well. During their years of
captivity and slavery, Allah Ta’ala appointed Daanyaal (alayhis
salaam) the Nabi who consoled Bani Israaeel and kept alive the
flame of the Deen. Like Yusuf (alayhis salaam), Allah Ta’ala had
bestowed to Nabi Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) the expertise of
dream interpretation. Despite the yoke of persecution and
oppression which the rulers had imposed on Bani Israaeel, Nabi
Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) resolutely proclaimed the Haqq of the
Deen.
After the death of Bukhtnasr (Nebuchanazer), Neebushanezaar
ascended the throne. The new king saw a dream which perplexed
him. All the astrologers, fortune-tellers and sorcerers of the land
failed to present a comforting and reasonable interpretation. The
perplexity and concern of the king increased immensely. Someone
then informed the king of a very pious wiseman among Bani
Israaeel, namely, Daanyaal. The king sent for Hadhrat Daanyaal
(alayhis salaam).
When Hadhrat Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) arrived, the king said:
“I have heard the spirit of divinity is in you and that you are a man
of perfect wisdom. The wisemen and astrologers have failed to
interpret my dream. I have heard that you are able to interpret
intricate dreams and solve such problems. If you are able to
interpret my dream, you will be garbed with regal attire. You will
be garlanded with a golden chain, and you will be the third highest
officer in the empire.”
Hadhrat Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) responded: “Retain your prizes by you. Present your awards to
someone else. I shall explain this dream to you.”
After the king explained his dream, Hadhrat Daanyaal (alayhis
salaam) presented the interpretation which related to the rise and
fall of empires. The specific one of interest to us at this juncture
relates to the rise of an evil regime thousands of years after
Hadhrat Daanyaal (alayhis salaam). He described that future
regime as the ‘Reign of Abomination’ (a hated reign of terror),
and the ‘Kingdom of Sin’. The establishment of this Reign of
Abomination would initiate the process of the end of the world. It
will open the era of total immorality and sin. At that juncture in
time will appear two great, holy personalities and two great evil
anarchists.
Armies will be despatched from the north. The sacred fortress
will be defiled and the daily acts of sacrifices will be prohibited.
Then the Reign of Abomination will be established. Continuing
his explanation, Hadhrat Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) said: “I heard
two sacred Voices speaking. First Voice: “When will this event of
the sacred abode being trampled and defiled under the feet (of
these oppressors) occur?” The second Voice answered: “Two
thousand and three hundred days. Thereafter this holy place will
be purified.”
In the prediction made by Hadhrat Daanyaal (alayhis salaam), is
also mentioned that the ‘Reign of Abomination’ will be terminated
after 45 days.
Even Nabi Daanyaal (alayhis salaam) did not fully understand
the mystery in what he had interpreted, hence he supplicated to
Allah Ta’ala to unravel the conundrum. According to the Tauraah,
Allah Ta’ala informed him: “O Daanyaal, concern yourself with
your mission. A lock has been placed on the words and the matter
has been decreed. The mystery will be solved at the appointed
time.” And, Allah knows best.