What is the ruling on those who allegorize the prophecies about the Antichrist (Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal), claiming that he is not a person but rather a symbol of Western media and globalization, and do they commit disbelief by doing so?

The Dajjal is a reality, not a metaphor, and everything the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, informed us about will come to pass. Whoever denies this or interprets it contrary to its true meaning has committed a grave wrongdoing. The scholars of the Ummah have unanimously agreed on the descent of Jesus, peace be upon him, the emergence of the Dajjal at the end of time, and Jesus' killing of the Dajjal. These are authentic, well-attested reports.

Whoever denies this and claims that the existence of the Dajjal and Gog and Magog is a reference to the appearance of evil, these are false and reprehensible statements. This is because what is obligatory is submission to what the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, as Allah Almighty stated: "But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves, and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have decided and submit in full submission."

It is not appropriate to declare a specific person who interprets these texts as an unbeliever, because takfir (declaring someone an unbeliever) is very serious and requires the fulfillment of conditions and the absence of impediments. Some of the predecessors made mistakes in similar interpretations. Allah has forgiven this Ummah for its errors in matters of both factual reports and practical rulings. The predecessors did not declare anyone an unbeliever due to disputes in such matters, as mentioned by Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah.