Religion
One of the most intriguing prophesies I've come across that I can associate with the terra formed images I've discussed at length in the book and in this forum, is the Islamic concept called the Dabbah, translated as the Beast of the Earth. Here is what the Global Islamic Academy has to say about it (italic emphasis my own).
"The Emergence of the Beast
Allah Most High states, “We shall bring forth for them out of the earth a beast that shall speak unto them.” [27: 82] The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “The first of the signs [the Hour] to appear will be the rising of the sun from the west and the appearance of the Best before the people in the forenoon.” [Muslim]
There scholars differed greatly regarding the details related to the Beast, which, though not important to know, can be mentioned briefly as follows:
(a) Appearance: Some scholars, such as Imam Qurtubi, held that the beast is the she-camel of the Prophet Salih (Allah bless him). Others stated that it was an animal that is a hybrid of many different animals. Another opinion states that it is an actual human being, which is a very weak opinion. [Qurtubi, Tadkhira]
(b) Place of Emergence: Some stated that the Beast will emerge from Makka, basing it on a narration of Hudhayfa (Allah be well-pleased with him). Others stated that it will emerge from a desert, then disappear, then emerge from a village, then disappear, then finally from the Masjid al-Haram in Makka. There is another opinion that states it will emerge from Ta’if. [Qurtubi, Tadkhira; Alusi, Ruh al-Ma`ani]
(c) It’s Speech: The Beast will address the people with the words of Allah, “Mankind did not believe in our signs.” [27: 82] Others stated, quoting ibn `Abbas, that “speaking” refers to the action of the Beast in differentiating the believers and disbelievers.
(d) It’s Role: The Beast will be tasked to differentiate the believers from the disbelievers. Abu Hurayra (Allah be well-pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “The Beast of the earth will emerge and have with it the staff of Moses and the ring of Solomon.” [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Musnad Ahmad] It will use these to mark off the believers from the disbelievers. [Qurtubi, Jami` al-Ahkam al-Qur’an]"
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In addition, Dr. Ali A. Olomi, an Islamic scholar of history and the esoteric,, brings forth the idea of the Angel of Death (Azrael) and the Angel of Resurrection (Israfil), as it relates to these prophesies. His Patreon podcast goes into detail on the Beast
"Like Judaism and Christianity, we find archangels in Islam. While only a few angels are explicitly named in the Qur’an, some appear in other sources and in the later writings of Muslims
One such angels is Israfil the Angel of Resurrection
Israfil is not named in the Qur’an but is one of three angels in a supplication attributed to Muhammad and is found in the hadith.
The angel is believed to be the Trumpeter of heaven, holding the soor or horn that will herald the Day of Resurrection.
It is said the horn will be blown twice, one to mark the end the world and a second time to resurrect the dead.
Israfil waits with eyes upturned to God and when the signal is given, the angel will reputedly blow on the horn ending all life, flattening the mountains, and bringing the end.
Then when Israfil blows again all will be resurrected and the Day of Judgement begins.
At the dawn of creation, Israfil is said to have asked God for guardianship of the seven heavens and the earth.
God also makes Israfil custodian of the mountains and winds.
While Azra’il the Angel of Death is described as having thousands of eyes, Israfil is said to have having countless tongues and mouths which praise God in thousands upon thousands of languages.
The praises of Israfil are spiritually significant for from their essence God fashions new angels who surround the Throne.
It is also on account on the beautiful praises, the angel is believed to be the muezzin of heaven.
Israfil is a being of deep mercy. The angel gazes down on Hell three times a day and weeps.
The tears of Israfil threaten to flood the Earth, but God restrains their flow.
Conversely Israfil is so vast that if all the waters of the Earth were poured over the angel’s head, it would never reach the ground.
Israfil is said to be closest in proximity to God, standing next to the Throne. Using one wing to shield himself from the full unbearable majesty of God.
He is said to have four wings.
The main function of Israfil is to herald of Day of Judgement. It is said, even in the time of Muhammad the Horn is poised upon the angel’s lips to blow.
This is also how Israfil is commonly depicted in art.
In some interpretation, Israfil even visited Muhammad before he received the Qur’an, preparing him for his prophetic mission.
In esoteric circles, Israfil is the angel of the West, the Sun, and sometimes Thursday. Other times the angel of Jupiter Sarfayail is assigned to Thursday. The astrological overlap may hint at a parallel with the Jewish angel Seraphiel or Raphael.
Seraphiel is also described as the angel singing God’s praises, but is connected with Tuesday and Mars.
In certain magical practices, protective talismans are crafted with the names of the four archangels including Israfil.
Such talismans are used to bind the jinn kings
The descriptions of Israfil emphasize the apocalyptic element within Islam—the Day of Judgement is a major component of faith and it is nigh.
While this acts as a warning and certainly throughout the centuries Muslims have interpreted various cataclysmic events are heralding the end from the coming of the Mongols, Tamerlane, and various plagues.
It is also a reminder the end cannot be predicted. Israfil has had the horn poised on his lips since the very beginning.
Life goes on.
And so Muslims often held a pragmatic approach to the end. It comes when it does. Be mindful of the end, but do not let it consume you."
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