Dabbat al-Arḍ
/ˈdæbət əl ˈɑːrd/noun
An eschatological creature described in the Qur’an as emerging from the earth before the Last Judgment.
Did you know?In Qur’an 27:82, the creature’s emergence is presented as a sign that humanity no longer truly believes in divine revelations.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*d-b-b
“To move slowly, creep, or crawl; the reconstructed root behind Arabic dabba.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
dābbah
“A moving creature, beast, or animal; literally something that walks or creeps.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
al-arḍ
“The earth, land, or ground.”
7th Century
Arabic
دَابَّةُ الْأَرْضِ (dābbat al-arḍ)
““The Beast of the Earth,” the apocalyptic creature named in Qur’an 27:82.”
Medieval Islamic Tradition
Arabic
Dābbat al-Arḍ
“A major end-times sign, elaborated in later exegetical and prophetic traditions.”
Modern English
English
Dabbat al-Arḍ
“An English-transliterated name for the Qur’anic eschatological beast.”