Is the Dajjal (the false messiah) present now?

Question : You mentioned in your book *al-Jam' al-Thamin*—may Allah benefit us with it—that the Dajjal (the false messiah) is not present now and is not alive. The apparent meaning of this statement contradicts the hadith of Fatimah bint Qays in the *Sahih* regarding the story of Tamim al-Dari.

Answer : Yes. We mentioned this, citing what is established in the *Sahih* that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that no one who is on the face of the earth today will remain. If we apply this hadith to the hadith of Tamim al-Dari, it becomes contradictory to it. It becomes contradictory to it, because the apparent meaning of the hadith of Tamim al-Dari is that this Dajjal remains until he emerges, which contradicts this hadith established in the two *Sahih*s. Also, the context of the hadith of Tamim al-Dari, in its mention of the spies, has something in itself: is it from the expression of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) or not? Yes.