Duration of Dajjal’s Stay

The Sahabah (radi Allahu anhum) asked Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) about the Dajjal, “O Messenger of Allah, how long will he stay on earth?” He replied, “Forty days; a day like a year, a day like a month, a day like a week, and the rest of the days like your days.” The Sahabah asked, “O Messenger of Allah, on that day which is like a year, will the Salat (prayers) of one day be sufficient for us?” Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, “No. Calculate the time (for prayer).” [Sahih Muslim]

The duration of Dajjal’s stay on earth will thus be roughly equal to a year and two and a half months, although during this period, time will behave differently. People have put forth various theories regarding how a day could end up as long as a year, month or week, but the reality is known to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) alone. We will then have to estimate time and pray according to the normal duration of days that we are used to.