Digital Eschatology in Islamicate Traditions: a Comparative Study of Inter-Religious Prophecies

What is it about?

This title is about how people today talk about the end of the world and future prophecies, especially in Muslim societies, using digital platforms. It looks at how beliefs about signs of the Last Day, such as the coming of the Mahdi or the return of Jesus, are shared and discussed through social media, YouTube, WhatsApp, and other online spaces. The term “Islamicate traditions” means it is not only focused on religious scholars, but also on everyday Muslims and cultures influenced by Islam. The study also compares these Islamic beliefs with similar ideas found in other religions like Christianity and Judaism, where there are also teachings about a savior and end-time events. In simple terms, the research explores how modern technology is shaping the way people understand, share, and even connect different religious prophecies about the future and the end of the world.

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Why is it important?

This topic is unique and timely because it connects three areas that are usually studied separately: religion, technology, and interfaith relations. Traditionally, scholars studied end-time beliefs (eschatology) through classical texts and historical interpretations. However, today these ideas are no longer confined to books or scholars, they are actively being reshaped in real time on social media, YouTube, and AI-driven platforms. This shift has not been fully explored, especially within Muslim contexts, making the study original. It is also unique because it looks at multiple religions together, rather than studying Islamic prophecies in isolation. By comparing Islamic, Christian, and Jewish end-time narratives, the research highlights shared themes and differences, which is still an underdeveloped area, particularly in the digital sphere where these ideas increasingly interact and overlap. The topic is especially timely because we are living in an era of rapid technological change. Artificial intelligence, algorithm-driven content, and viral media are influencing how people form beliefs, sometimes spreading simplified or even misleading interpretations of religious prophecies. At the same time, global crises, such as wars, pandemics, and environmental concerns, have increased public interest in end-time discussions, making these topics more visible online. In short, this research is timely because it studies a current, fast-changing reality, and unique because it brings together digital technology, Islamic thought, and inter-religious comparison in a way that has rarely been done before.

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