Chapter 1: The Distant Signs That Have Already Appeared and Ended

Then, after Musaylimah was killed, she turned back to Allah and embraced Islam. So glorified be He who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons misdeeds.

Al-Mukhtar emerged during the time of Ibn al-Zubayr, for he claimed that revelation was sent down to him, and he used to write in his letters: 'From al-Mukhtar, the chosen of the Messenger of Allah.' So 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr dispatched his brother Mus'ab against him, who then killed him.

Al-Mutanabbi, the famous poet whose verses spread across the horizons, also emerged claiming prophethood, but he later repented and returned to Allah. A group also emerged during the era of the Abbasid state, among whom was the accursed Bihbud, may Allah curse him. He emerged during the caliphate of al-Mu'tamid; indeed, the accursed Bihbud spread corruption in Iraq and insulted the family of the Messenger.

During the caliphate of al-Muktafi, Yahya ibn Zikrawayh al-Qarmati emerged, followed after him by his brother al-Husayn. A mole appeared on his face, which he claimed was his miraculous sign. His cousin 'Isa ibn Mahrawayh came to him and asserted that his title was 'al-Muddaththir' (the Cloaked One) and that he was the one meant in the Surah, and he titled a servant boy of his 'al-Mutawwaq bi al-Nur' (the One Encircled with Light). He seized control over the Levant (al-Sham), wreaked havoc, had supplications made for him from the pulpits, and was eventually killed.

During the caliphate of al-Muqtadir, Abu Tahir al-Qarmati emerged, the one who uprooted the Black Stone, and he used to say:

"I am Allah, and Allah is I ... He creates creation and gives them life, and so do I."

During the caliphate of al-Radi, Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Shalmaghani, known as Ibn Abi al-'Azaqir, appeared; it was widely rumored that he claimed divinity, and that he...