From Saint Paisios to Dr. al-'Areefi: Why do the prophecies about Turkey and the Euphrates shockingly converge ?
- Katerina Kostaki
- 3 hours ago
- 14 min read
“What do the prophecies of Saint Paisios and Cosmas of Aetolia have in common with modern Islamic eschatology? In Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi's much-discussed book, "The End of the World," the Euphrates dries up, Constantinople becomes the epicenter of Global Developments, and time begins to "freeze." An analytical look at how different cultures see the same shocking events through their own prism. Is it coincidence or the mapping of a common future?”
The reason for writing this particular article is a video I saw on TikTok in which a woman was reading Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi's much-discussed book, "The end of the World."
In the video, the woman was reading a specific paragraph from the book that refers to a war that will occur, and the second conquest of #Constantinople, before the coming of the #Antichrist (Dallal) and later #Jesus.
As she herself mentioned in the video, many prophecies from this book have already been fulfilled.
The video alone tempted me to search the internet and slowly unravel the tangle of Truth surrounding the book, its prophecies and how these prophecies have points in common with the Prophecies of Saint Paisios.
First of all, let me add a small paragraph about the book itself.
The book The End of the World: Signs of the Hour Major and Minor by Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi is a comprehensive guide to Islamic eschatology that examines the signs of the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah).
Basic Information about the Book
Content: The book analyzes both the "minor" and "major" signs of the end of the world, based on evidence from the #Quran and #Hadith.
Topics Covered: Includes discussions on the emergence of the #Mahdi, the descent of #Eesa (Jesus), the emergence of #Dajjal (False Messiah), Yajooj and Majooj, the three landslides, and the rising of the sun from the west.
Features: The edition includes 40 rare maps and illustrated material to aid in understanding historical and future events.
The book by Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi that you mention is based on Islamic sources (Quran and Hadith) and indeed includes references to Constantinople as part of the "Major Signs" before the end of the World.
According to the eschatological traditions cited in the book:
The Conquest of Constantinople: A future, "spiritual" conquest of the city is mentioned that will occur before the appearance of the Dajjal (the Antichrist in Islam).
According to the Hadith, the city will be captured by a Muslim army not with weapons, but with the invocation of #God (Takbir).
Connection to Syria and Turkey: The book describes major battles (Al-Malhamah Al-Kubra) that will take place in the region of Syria (Dabiq or Al-A'maq), near the border with present-day Turkey, between the Muslims and the "Romans" (often interpreted by modern scholars as the Western Powers).
Destruction and Events: References to the "destruction" of Turkey or Constantinople in such videos usually stem from the interpretation of the "Three Landslides" or major earthquakes referred to as signs of the Hour, as well as the disruption that this major military conflict will cause in the region.
Here is a breakdown of the points that were probably mentioned in the video I watched:
1. The Great Battle (Al-Malhamah Al-Kubra)
The book describes a final, epic conflict in the al-A’maq or Dabiq region (regions of northern Syria near the present-day border with Turkey).
Who is involved: An army made up of the “best people of the land” from Medina will face the “Romans” (which in al-'Areefi's eschatological interpretation is often implied to be the Western Powers).
Outcome: After a fierce battle, one-third of the Muslim army will be victorious and advance towards Constantinople.
2. The “Spiritual” Conquest of Constantinople
The passage states that the city will not be captured with conventional weapons, but in a spiritual way:
The method: The victors of the Great Battle will arrive in Constantinople and shout “La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah) and “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest).
The result: According to tradition, the city walls (or parts of them) will collapse from the force of these cheers, allowing the army to enter.
3. The Connection to Catastrophe
The reason many videos mention “catastrophe” is twofold:
The Three Great Landslides: The book analyzes one of the Great Signs which is three huge landslides or earthquakes: one in the East, one in the West, and one in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Appearance of Dajjal: Immediately after the conquest of Constantinople, while the soldiers are dividing the spoils, a cry will be heard that the Dajjal (Antichrist) has appeared to their families, forcing them to hastily return to Syria.
Why is this passage popular?
Al-'Areefi's book uses over 40 maps.
In this chapter, there are maps showing the movements of troops from Syria to Constantinople, which makes the prophecies seem more “hands-on” and geopolitical to the readers.
My concern lies in whether the prophecies refer to the past, and the research and its result are as follows:
Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi's book clarifies this distinction by dividing the signs into categories [10, 13, 15]:
1. Signs that have already happened (Past)
The author mentions events that are considered complete, such as:
The mission and death of the Prophet Muhammad [14].
The historical first fall of Constantinople (in 1453).
Many Muslim scholars believe that this conquest fulfilled part of the prophecies, but al-'Areefi, following specific Hadith, argues that there will be a second, future conquest [14, 18].
2. Signs that are happening now (Present)
These are called "Minor Signs" and al-'Areefi argues that many of them are ongoing, such as the spread of moral decay, the construction of very tall buildings (a reference to the Gulf countries), and the frequency of earthquakes [14, 17].
3. Signs that are about to happen (Future)
Here is the excerpt I saw in the video concerning Constantinople and Turkey [14, 18, 20]:
The Great Battle (Al-Malhamah): For the author, this is a future global conflict that has not yet happened [10, 13, 14].
The “Spiritual” Conquest: Al-'Areefi emphasizes that the conquest described in the Hadith (with the invocation of God and without swords) differs from the historical conquest of Muhammad the Conqueror, placing it in the future, shortly before the appearance of The Antichrist (Dajjal) [10, 14, 20].
According to Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi's book, the events concerning Constantinople, and the wider region of Turkey and Syria are included in the "Major Signs" of the Hour.
The author uses authentic Islamic texts (Hadith) to describe a series of apocalyptic events that he believes belong to the future.
The Great Battle (Al-Malhamah Al-Kubra)
Al-'Areefi analyzes the biblical prophecy of a final conflict that will take place in al-A'maq or Dabiq (regions in northern Syria, near the border with Turkey).
The Conflict: A Muslim army from Medina, composed of the "best people of the earth", will face the "Romans" (Western powers).
The Casualties: The battle is described as the most brutal in human history.
One-third of the Muslim army will flee, another third will be killed (considered martyrs), and the remaining third will be victorious.
The Future Conquest of Constantinople
After winning the Great Battle, this army will advance towards Constantinople.
Spiritual Victory: al-'Areefi emphasizes that the city will be conquered through the invocation of God (Takbir) and not by weapons.
The Connection with the Dajjal: While the victors will be dividing the spoils in the city, Satan will spread the false news that the Dajjal (Antichrist) has appeared to their families, forcing them to return to Syria.
Geopolitics and Maps
The special feature of the book is the use of 40 rare maps and illustrations.
The author attempts to connect ancient prophecies with modern geography, showing:
The routes of the armies from Syria to Constantinople.
The areas where the Three Great Landslides are expected, which are often interpreted as catastrophic earthquakes that will hit the East, the West and the Arabian Peninsula.
Note: al-'Areefi follows the methodology of Ahlus Sunnah, trying to separate authentic reports from the exaggerations or false rumors of modern times.
In his book, Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi describes the connection of Constantinople with two central figures of Islamic eschatology: the Mahdi and Jesus (Eesa).
These events constitute the culmination of the “Major Signs”. [4, 10]
1. The Emergence of the Mahdi
According to al-'Areefi's analysis, the Mahdi will appear at a time of great turmoil and injustice in the world. [2, 10]
His Mission: He will lead the Muslims in the Great Battle (Al-Malhamah Al-Kubra) in Syria and Turkey. [13, 20]
The Connection to the City: After the victory in Syria, the Mahdi's army will advance towards Constantinople, which it will spiritually conquer (by invocation of God), as described in the Hadith cited by the author. [13, 14]
2. The Descent of Jesus (Eesa)
Immediately after the capture of Constantinople and the appearance of the Dajjal (Antichrist), Jesus will descend to earth. [3, 4]
The Descent Point: al-'Areefi states that Jesus will descend to the "White Minaret" in eastern Damascus, Syria. [13, 17]
The Final Battle: Jesus will join with the Mahdi and his army (who will have just returned from Constantinople) to pursue the Dajjal. Jesus will destroy him at the gate of the city of Ludd (in modern-day Israel). [13, 20]
3. The Period of Peace
After the annihilation of Dajjal and his enemies (including Gog and Magog), al-'Areefi describes a period of absolute global peace and prosperity under the rule of Jesus, where there will be no more war or poverty. [4, 18]
Why is the Reference to Turkey a Problem?
The book contains maps showing the geographical course of these events. [4, 15]
Many analysts (and videos like the one you saw) focus on the fact that the prophecies place the region of Turkey and Syria at the epicenter of global conflicts and natural disasters before the final triumph of peace. [2, 13]
Here I had the following question, that this particular book has many points in common with the corresponding books with the Prophecies of Saint Paisios, as well as Cosmas of Aetolia.
The similarity is striking and this is the reason why many in Greece, watching such videos about Dr. al-'Areefi's book, feel a familiarity with the content.
There are common points that cause awe:
Common Points in the Prophecies of Saint Paisios
Constantinople as the Epicenter: Just as Saint Paisios and Cosmas the Aetolian spoke of the recapture of the City, al-'Areefi also quotes Hadith that say the City will be captured by a Muslim army shortly before the end. The difference is in the side that will occupy it, but the "event" remains central.
The Great War (Armageddon): al-'Areefi describes Al-Malhamah Al-Kubra (the Great Massacre) in Syria, which is very reminiscent of the "General War" described by Saint Paisios, in which major powers will be involved (the "Romans" for al-'Areefi, the Europeans/Russians for Paisios).
The Destruction of Turkey: Orthodox prophecies speak of the dismemberment of Turkey ("it will be divided into 3-4 pieces").
In al-'Areefi's book, the region is described as a field of biblical disasters and major geological phenomena (earthquakes/landslides) that will change the map.
The Role of Jesus: In both Orthodox and Islamic eschatology, Christ is the one who will bring the final end to the Antichrist (Dajjal), restoring peace to the earth.
The Difference in Perspective
While the events coincide geographically (Constantinople, Syria, Euphrates), the interpretation changes:
For al-'Areefi: These events are the vindication of Islam and the prevalence of their faith.
For Paisios/Cosmas the Aetolian: It is the vindication of Orthodoxy and the return of Constantinople to the Greeks.
This parallelism is what makes al-'Areefi's book much discussed even in non-Muslim countries, as many see in his descriptions a "mirror" image of their own traditions.
The prism through which Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi sees the events in his book, compared to the prism of Saint Paisios or Cosmas the Aetolian, creates an interesting contrast:
1. Geographical Coincidence, Religious Divergence
Both sides “see” the Euphrates drying up, Syria burning, and Constantinople changing hands.
However:
For al-'Areefi, these are signs of the global dominance of Islam under the Mahdi.
For Paisios, the same events are the preparation for the fall of Turkey and the vindication of Orthodoxy.
2. The “Face” of the Catastrophe
The “enemy” is defined differently depending on who holds the prism:
In the Islamic book, the “Romans” (Westerners) are the opponents in the great battle of Dabiq.
In Orthodox prophecies, Russia (the “blond race”) often appears as the catalyst that will bring about change in Constantinople.
3. The Common Denominator: The Hope for Peace
Despite the differences, the end of the journey in both perspectives is the same: the appearance of #Christ (Jesus/Eesa), the defeat of the Antichrist (Dajjal), and a long period of World Peace.
This shows that, despite doctrinal differences, the human need for #Justice and #Peace after a great crisis is common to all traditions.
Al-'Areefi's book, with its maps and detailed descriptions, simply gives a "technical" and geopolitical dimension to these ancient expectations.
The prophecy about the drying up of the #Euphrates constitutes one of the most striking points of contact between Dr. al-'Areefi's book, the Islamic tradition, and Orthodox Christian eschatology.
Although the geographical reference is the same, the purpose and outcome are described differently.
1. The Islamic Side (Dr. al-'Areefi)
In his book, the author relies on well-known Hadith (such as Sahih Muslim) to describe the drying up of the river as a "Minor Sign" that precedes the Hour.
The "Mountain of Gold": The prophecy says that when the Euphrates recedes, a treasure or "mountain of gold" will be revealed.
The Great Massacre: People will fight for this gold with terrifying ferocity. It is reported that 99 out of 100 who participate in the battle will be killed.
The Warning: al-'Areefi emphasizes the Prophet's warning: whoever is present at the drying up of the river, should not take any of this gold, as it constitutes a pernicious trial (fitnah).
2. The Orthodox and Biblical Side (Saint Paisios / Revelation)
In the Orthodox tradition, the drying up of the Euphrates is directly linked to the facilitation of military operations from the East.
The Prophecy of Saint Paisios: The Elder had mentioned that when you hear that the Turks are damming the waters of the Euphrates (with dams) and using them for irrigation, then know that the preparation for the Great War has begun.
The “Kings of the East”: In Revelation (16:12), it is stated that the sixth angel will pour out his bowl on the Euphrates and its water will dry up to prepare the way for the “kings from the east.”
Many interpreters connect this event with an army of 200 million that will move towards Israel.
Comparative Analysis
Characteristic | Islamic (al-'Areefi) | Orthodox / Biblical |
Cause | Sign of the Hour (Divine intervention) | Preparation for war / Sixth Angel |
Result | Revelation of gold & civil massacre | Passage of a huge army (200 million) |
Symbolism | Test of greed | Elimination of the East-West borders |
Goal | Internal purification of believers | Harbinger of Armageddon |
Both sides agree that the drying up of the Euphrates is a pivotal point that indicates that Humanity is entering its final phase.
While al-'Areefi focuses on human greed for wealth, the Orthodox tradition focuses on geopolitical shifts and the conflict of nations.
The question is whether there are specific dates or time periods.
No, Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi in his book explicitly avoids giving specific dates or time periods (e.g. years) for the end of the world. [1.3, 1.4]
This position is based on the Islamic teaching that "only Allah knows the Hour."
However, the author uses a specific methodology to show how close we are:
1. Connection to Contemporary Events
Instead of dates, al-'Areefi connects the prophecies to current developments, leaving the reader to draw conclusions:
The Dams on the Euphrates: Although he does not give a year, he analyzes how dam technology (especially in Turkey) now allows the flow of the river to be controlled, which makes "drying up" technically possible in our day. [1.14]
Urbanization and Buildings: He mentions the prophecy about "shepherds competing in building tall buildings", pointing to the modern cities of the Gulf (Dubai, Saudi Arabia) as evidence that this sign has already been fulfilled. [1.4]
2. The Order of Events (Sequence)
The author focuses on the order in which the Great Signs will occur, arguing that once the first one begins, the rest will follow like “beads falling from a broken necklace”: [1.3]
Appearance of the Mahdi.
Great Battle (Al-Malhamah) and Capture of Constantinople.
Appearance of the Dajjal (Antichrist).
Descent of Jesus (Eesa).
3. The Duration of the Kingdom
The only place where “numbers” are mentioned is the duration of certain individuals’ stay on earth after their appearance:
The Mahdi is said to rule for 7 or 9 years.
Dajjal will remain on earth for 40 days (the first as a year, the second as a month, the third as a week, and the rest as regular days).
Jesus will live on earth for 40 years after his return.
Conclusion: al-'Areefi aims for spiritual alertness, not for fear of dates. His book functions more as a "compass" for the believer to recognize the signs around him, rather than as a calendar.
Of great interest are the "40 Days of the Antichrist".
In his book, Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi analyzes one of the most enigmatic prophecies about Dajjal (Antichrist), which describes the duration of his stay on earth: "Forty days: one day as a year, the second as a month, the third as a week, and the rest of his days as yours." [1.3, 1.14]
The author approaches this issue in two ways, combining tradition with modern logic:
1. The Literal/Astronomical Interpretation
Al-'Areefi cites the view that the slowing down of time may be real.
The Station of the Earth: Some scholars interpret the "day as time" as a literal slowing down of the Earth's rotation on its axis, which would cause daylight or darkness to last for an enormous amount of time. [1.14]
The Rising from the West: This slowing down is often associated with another Great Sign that the author discusses: the rising of the sun from the west, which indicates a complete change in the planet's motion. [1.14]
2. The Metaphorical / Psychological Interpretation
Another aspect of the analysis concerns the perception of time due to events.
The Intensity of Events: The first period of the Dajjal's appearance will be so full of cosmogonic changes, miracles and catastrophes, that to people it will "seem" that a year never ends. [1.3]
The Acceleration of Time: As events draw to a close, time will begin to "run" faster (a day as a week), which al-'Areefi connects to the general "loss of the blessing (Barakah) of time" in the last days. [1.3, 1.4]
3. The Practical Question: Prayer
Al-'Areefi places great emphasis on a question asked by the Prophet's companions: "If a day lasts a year, how shall we pray?"
The Answer: The author explains that we will not wait for the sunrise or sunset (since there will be none), but will have to estimate the hours based on the normal 24-hour period. [1.14]
This suggests a "scientific" approach to time management during a global crisis.
The Connection to Modern Technology
In some of his analyses, the author suggests that the Dajjal will use technological means to control the weather, food production, and communication, making his presence seem omnipresent and "slowing down" or "accelerating" developments at will. [1.4, 1.14]
This analysis by al-'Areefi is particularly interesting, as it attempts to explain how an ancient prophecy can be applied to a world that understands astronomy and physics.
In his book, Dr. Muhammad al-'Areefi describes the Dajjal (Antichrist) not simply as a wanderer, but as an entity who will have complete control over the planet's wealth-producing resources, using powers that today resemble advanced technology.
Key Points
1. Control of Weather Phenomena
Al-'Areefi states that the Dajjal will have the ability to command the sky to rain and the earth to sprout.
The Test: Those who follow him will see their crops flourish, while those who reject him will suffer extreme droughts and famine. [1.3, 1.14]
Modern Analysis: Many readers of the book today associate this prophecy with weather modification technologies (such as cloud seeding) or the control of water resources through dams (e.g. on the Euphrates). [1.14]
2. The Speed of Movement
One of the most striking descriptions the author gives is that the Dajjal will move across the earth "like a cloud driven by the wind." [1.3]
Interpretation: In the past this was considered purely supernatural.
Today, al-'Areefi suggests that this describes the ability to travel instantaneously by modern means or the control of global communication and transportation networks. [1.4]
3. The Control of Wealth
The Dajjal will command the treasures of the earth to follow him “as bees follow their queen.” [1.3]
Economic Power: This describes an absolute control of the global financial system and natural resources (oil, gold, minerals), making him the sole source of material survival for humanity. [1.4, 1.14]
4. The Illusionary Miracles (Heaven and Hell)
Al-'Areefi explains that the Dajjal will have with him “a river of water and a river of fire.” [1.3]
The Deception: What will appear as heaven (comfort, security, materialism) will actually be spiritual destruction, while what will appear as fire (suffering, denial of the system) will be salvation. [1.3]
“Ultimately, is the geography of Revelation common to all, regardless of the prism through which we view it?”
“If Saint Paisios and Dr. al-'Areefi describe the same "film" but from a different position in the room, what do you think is the common message that we should hold on to today, beyond doctrines and differences?”
© KATERINA KOSTAKI
ACADEMY OF INNER LIGHT
#Ευφράτης #TheEndOfTheWorld #AlAreefi #Εσχατολογία #Konstantinoupolis #eschatology #prophesies #euphrates #saintpaisios #kosmastheaetolian
Comments