Allah controls what you’re allowed to see. And sometimes, He lets the wicked see exactly what they want to.

This Easter, the world is reflecting on the story of Jesus. The Quran tells us directly: “They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them.” (Surah An-Nisa, Verse 157). Allah didn’t just protect Isa (Jesus). He constructed an illusion. And they fell for it completely.

This is the reality of Istidraj — when Allah allows the wicked to believe they are winning, gradually drawing them toward accountability while they remain completely unaware.

So why does Allah do this? We see it today.

In the rise of authoritarian power. In the silence of the international community. In every moment where injustice appears to go unanswered. And we see it in ourselves, when we think we’ve gotten away with something and nothing happens.

In this Khutbah, Dr. Omar Suleiman explains why what you’re witnessing right now is not the full picture.