A call for unity in a time of rising unrest
In Surat al-ʿAnkabūt, Allah asks whether people think they will not be tested simply because they believe. He says:
الۤمۤ
Alif, Lam, Meem.
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن یُتۡرَكُوۤا۟ أَن یَقُولُوۤا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا یُفۡتَنُونَ
“ Do people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ without being tested ?”
وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِینَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۖ فَلَیَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِینَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَیَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبِینَ
And We certainly tested those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.
أَمۡ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِینَ یَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلسَّیِّـَٔاتِ أَن یَسۡبِقُونَاۚ سَاۤءَ مَا یَحۡكُمُونَ
“Or do those who do evil deeds think that they can escape Us ? Terrible is their judgment!” (Surat al-ʿAnkabūt 29:1–4)
To think that we will not face difficulties, challenges and trials is a mistaken assumption. Allah makes it clear that believers will be tested, in fact, we will be tested more than others. He reminds us that those before were tested, and those who come after us will also face trials. It is part and parcel of our covenant with Allah.
Tests differentiate between the truthful and the liars
Allah says that through these tests, He will distinguish the truthful from the liars. Without tests, the true colors of a person do not become apparent. The believer remains firm, but the hypocrite changes his colours.
No one can escape justice
Allah then warns: do those who commit evil deeds think they will escape His punishment?
Those who bombard Muslim countries and commit injustice may appear to escape in this world. The UN Security Council has issued a statement, but without even naming the perpetrators. This is not real accountability. However, Allah declares they will never escape His justice. In the court of Allah, no oppressor will escape punishment.
In Surat al-Ankabout, when Allah asks whether those who commit evil deeds think they will escape His punishment, He uses a powerful metaphor to emphasize the futility of such thinking.
The word “sabaq” (preceded) in ayah 4, literally means to go ahead, to precede, to outstrip, to escape by being ahead of someone . It carries the sense of someone racing and trying to get in front, as in a horse race.
So when Allah says, “Do those who commit evil deeds think that they can sabaq (escape/get ahead of Us)?” The meaning is: Do they imagine that they can outrun Allah’s Decree, get ahead of His grasp, or escape His punishment?
The scholars explain that it is like someone imagining they can outrun or hide from the inevitable grasp of death or fate – impossible, because God’s justice encompasses all.
Al-Tabari says it conveys the idea that sinners may feel secure in their wrongdoing, but they are in fact caught in a net whose cords are tightening around them. Ibn Kathir explains that the verse likens their false sense of safety to a delusion, for just as no criminal can escape the reach of a ruler’s authority, no soul can escape Allah’s judgement.
Al-Qurtubi notes that the metaphor exposes the arrogance of evil-doers who think they can slip away unnoticed, when in reality they are surrounded by Allah’s knowledge and power on all sides. Thus, the image is not only rhetorical, but a warning: evil may feel unchecked for a while, but the reckoning is certain, swift, and inescapable.
Allah has promised that He will hold all evil-doers to account and they will have to pay for their evil actions:
إِنَّ بَطۡشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ
“Indeed, your Lord’s punishment is severe.” (Surat al-Burūj 85:12)
This is a reassurance for those who suffer persecution: Allah’s justice will be delivered in the Hereafter, when it matters most.
The nature of the test is heavy, on the individual, the family, the community, and the ummah. At local, national, and international levels, inwardly and outwardly, we are all being tried.
Our current reality
Across Europe and America, far-right extremists are rising. We must remain vigilant, protect our families and communities, and report what we experience, so that the authorities can act.
On an international level, Muslims must unite and act as one body. We should also build alliances with people of principle, including non-Muslims who value justice, compassion, and dignity. Without this, we will only continue complaining without real change.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave us the image of one body:
مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ، مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ، إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّى». ويروي هذا الحديث النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنه، وهو حديث صحيح ورد في صحيح مسلم والبخاري.
“The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like that of a single body: if one limb suffers, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
يوشك الأمم أن تداعى عليكم كما تداعى الأكلة إلى قصعتها، فقال قائل: ومن قلة نحن يومئذ؟ قال: بل أنتم يومئذ كثير ولكنكم غثاء كغثاء السيل، ولينزعن الله من صدور عدوكم المهابة منكم، وليقذفن الله في قلوبكم الوهن، فقال قائل يا رسول الله: وما الوهن؟ قال حب الدنيا وكراهية الموت” رواه أحمد وأبو داود.
He ﷺ also foretold:
“The nations are about to call one another against you, just as diners invite one another to share their dish.”
When asked if that would be because Muslims are few in number, he (peace be upon him) replied:
“No, rather you will be numerous on that day, but you will be like the foam carried by a torrent. Allah will remove fear of you from the hearts of your enemies, and He will cast weakness into your hearts.”
Someone said, “O Messenger of God: What is weakness?”
He replied,
“Love of the worldly life and dislike of death.” (Ahmad and Abu Dawud)
A call for unity
At this critical time, we must stand together, both within Europe and across the Muslim world.
In Europe, hostility from far-right groups is intensifying, fueling hatred against Muslims. We must stay vigilant and peaceful, and work with the authorities to protect our families and communities. Beyond Europe, the Arab and Muslim world must strengthen its bonds and stand with all people of conscience who uphold justice, compassion, and shared humanity.
Only through unity and collective action can we meet today’s challenges and safeguard the dignity, security, and future of our nations.
Based on the khutbah of the Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 12th September 2025