⦗29–31⦘ “Or do those in whose hearts is a disease think that Allah will never expose their malice?”

Allah Most High says: “Or do those in whose hearts is a disease”—whether a doubt or a desire that dislodges the heart from its sound and balanced state—think that Allah will not expose the malice and hostility toward Islam and its people concealed within their hearts? Such an assumption is inconsistent with Allah’s wisdom. He must distinguish the truthful from the liar, and this is accomplished by testing them with ordeals. Whoever remains steadfast through them and whose faith endures is a believer in truth. But whoever is turned back on his heels by them, fails to remain steadfast, panics when the test comes, and finds his faith weakened—what his heart harbors of malice will emerge and his hypocrisy will become evident. This is required by divine wisdom, although He Most High has said: