Apocalypse in Islam
Islam, like Christianity and Judaism, has an apocalyptic tradition. Apocalypse means a �revelation� or �unveiling� of something otherwise hidden, particularly the future. Apocalyptic literature, therefore, often describes the signs and events that signal the advent of the end of the world and generally is written by and appeals to those who feel the world�s injustice, oppression, and disenfranchisement. Filiu sketches traditional Islamic apocalyptic thought, including the appearance of the Deceiver (al-Dajjal) and the Mahdi (divinely or rightly guided one). The majority of his book, however, is devoted to a thorough and comparative delineation of varying apocalyptic writings that have appeared since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Although the temptation may be to dismiss these accounts and those who propound and believe them, Filiu�s book argues the contrary, reminding its readers that these contemporary apocalyptic views are virulently anti-Semitic and often �saturated with a profound sense of resentment and vindictiveness.� A timely and highly recommended work. --Christopher McConnell