The Mystery Enemy Who Will Unite Muslims & Christians

The Mystery of the ‘Common Enemy’ who Will Unite Christians and Muslims in War.

In Islamic eschatology, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned a great war in which Muslims and Christians would unite against a “common enemy.” This mysterious opponent has puzzled scholars for centuries. While its identity remains uncertain, speculation continues among classical and contemporary scholars.

Some modern writers suggest that this “common enemy” could be Israel. Yet, this theory is challenged by the fact that the Prophet (PBUH), in authentic hadith, clearly mentioned that Jews would follow al-Dajjāl (the Antichrist) at the end of time, particularly those from Isfahān (Sahīh Muslim, 2937). If Israel had been the intended “common enemy,” one might ask why the Prophet would not have specified them here as he did elsewhere.

Background: The Three Dominant Powers

The hadith indicates that, at the end of time, the world will be dominated by three major forces: Muslims, Christians, and a third unidentified power. The Prophet (PBUH) referred to Christians as “Romans” (Ar-Rūm); a term historically used for the Byzantine Empire, but understood by most scholars to mean the wider European Christian civilisation (see Sahīh Muslim, Kitāb al-Fitan).

This leaves open the question: who is the third force?

Theories About the “Common Enemy”

One strong suggestion is that it may come from Asia. Some countries in Asia today hold global financial dominance, have the largest population, and are governed by other faiths, neither Christian nor Muslim. Their economic expansions, military powers, and geopolitical rivalries with both the West and Muslim-majority countries make some of these Asian countries plausible candidates. A collapse in global finance or an intensification of East–West rivalry could trigger a war where Muslims and Christians see unity as their only survival.

India is sometimes suggested as a possibility. However, while India has a growing population and military, it lacks the global financial and strategic dominance that other Asian countries exert. Moreover, India’s animosity with Pakistan complicates its role in a broader East–West dynamic.

Others have speculated about Russia, but this does not fit the evidence. Russia, despite its complex politics, is a predominantly Christian country and thus falls under the banner of “Romans,” not the mysterious third force.

What seems clear is that this “enemy” must be powerful enough to threaten both Christian and Muslim blocs simultaneously, forcing them into temporary alliance.

Numbers: Muslim and Christian Forces

The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that the Christian forces would comprise about 80 “banners” (rayāt) (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 4292), the term “banner” symbolising nations or groups under one flag. Scholars interpret this to mean a large coalition of Christian-majority states.

If we look at today’s demographics, Europe alone accounts for around 45 nations, and when including South America, parts of Africa, and Christian communities in Asia, the number easily exceeds 100. By contrast, Muslim-majority countries today total about 50–55.

Yet the global populations are strikingly similar: Christians represent about 32% of the world (2.3 billion), while Muslims are close behind at 25% (2 billion), according to Pew Research (2017). Despite Christians being spread across more nations, the balance of numbers between the two religions is nearly even.

The Meaning of “Romans”

The Prophet’s use of the term “Romans” indicates Christians as a collective bloc, not necessarily the exact nations we see today. Political borders may change drastically by then, and some current countries may not even exist. What is consistent, however, is that Christian groups will outnumber Muslim ones in terms of banners.

Ironically, this contradicts modern Islamophobic fears in Europe about Muslims “taking over.” Prophetic hadith actually depict Christians as having the numerical and political upper hand, at least until the arrival of the “common enemy.”

Uniting Against a Ruthless Foe

This unification does not imply lasting peace between Muslims and Christians. The hadith describe continuing animosity and eventual conflict between the two. But in the face of this formidable third power, the two religions will set aside differences temporarily.

What kind of enemy could be so fearsome that two rival civilisation’s, with centuries of tension, must fight side by side? The hadith suggest it will be one that is vicious, ruthless, and overwhelming; strong enough that neither bloc can face it alone.

The Mystery Remains

So where does this leave us with the hadith about the “mystery” common enemy? The identity remains uncertain, and perhaps deliberately so. Whether it is a country in Asia, another superpower, or a force that has not yet fully emerged, the message remains: the end-time trials will reshape the global order in ways beyond our imagination.

What we do know is that the Prophet (PBUH) spoke the truth, and his prophecies remind us to remain steadfast in faith, prepared for trials, and united in righteousness, no matter how uncertain the world becomes.