পৃষ্ঠা 291: তৃতীয় অধ্যায়: কিয়ামতের মহা আলামতসমূহ (মাহদী, দাজ্জাল, ঈসা (আ.), ইয়াজুজ-মাজুজ, পশ্চিমাকাশে সূর্যোদয়)

Discussion regarding the physical description of the Beast and the narrations reported concerning it

Abu al-Hawari asked Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): "Does it speak to them (tukallimuhum) or wound them (taklimuhum)?" He replied: "It does both; it speaks to the believer and wounds the disbeliever." It was previously mentioned that some have said it is al-Jassasah, and al-Baydawi and others affirmed this decisively.

The Kufan reciters and Ya'qub recited the verse as {anna an-nas} with an open vowel (fathah) on the hamzah, while the rest recited it with a kasrah as {inna an-nas}, on the basis that it is recounting the meaning of its speech and its quotation of the Word of Allah.

Both readings are supported by what will be mentioned later, that it proclaims at the top of its voice: "Indeed, mankind had no certainty in Our signs." Alternatively, it is an independent clause stating the reason for its emergence, or the reason for its speaking according to the recitation with kasrah, or a causal phrase where the preposition is omitted according to the recitation with fathah; that is to say: We only brought it forth because mankind, or it only speaks to them because mankind did not believe with certainty in Our signs.

It is reported from Abu al-'Aliyah that the falling of the decree refers to the closing of the gate of faith and repentance.

I say: According to this interpretation, there is also an indication in the Qur'an that its emergence occurs after the rising of the sun from the west, because it is through that event that the decree falls.

Discussion regarding its physical description, its conduct, and its emergence:

As for its physical description: It is narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that it has an elevated neck, meaning exceptionally long, such that people in the East can see it just as people in the West see it. It has the face of a human, a beak like the beak of a bird, and it possesses soft fur and downy fluff.

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that it possesses sinewy strength and feathers.

It is narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that it possesses a combination of soft fur and feathers, has every color in its appearance, and possesses four legs.

It is narrated from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): "It is covered in downy hair, possessing soft fur and feathers."

It is narrated from Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him): "It is multicolored, possessing soft fur and feathers; no pursuer can ever overtake it, nor can any fleer ever escape it."