and certainty; Allah will bring this about and fulfil His promise, in private and in public, and exact vengeance upon Satan’s party on behalf of the servants of the Most Merciful. Yet this will be in accordance with His wisdom and His established way, through trials and tests by which Allah separates the people of sincerity and faith from the people of hypocrisy and slander. His Book indicates that trials are inevitable for everyone who calls to faith, as is punishment for those guilty of evil deeds and transgression. Allah Most High says:

“Alif, Lām, Mīm.”

“Do people think they will be left to say, ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested?”

“We certainly tested those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.”

“Or do those who do evil deeds think they can outrun Us? Evil is what they judge.”

Thus, He—glory be to Him—rejects the supposition that evildoers can elude the One who pursues them, or that those who profess faith will be left without a trial that distinguishes the truthful from the liar. He has declared in His Book that sincerity in faith requires striving in His cause. Allah Most High says:

“The Bedouins say, ‘We believe.’ Say, ‘You have not believed; rather, say, “We have submitted.”’”

Up to His words:

“The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then do not doubt, and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is they who are truthful.”

He has also declared in His Book the loss suffered by one who turns back on his face when tested, who worships Allah in such trials on an edge—that is, on a side or brink where one cannot stand securely. Rather, his faith remains firm only when he enjoys the worldly good he desires. Allah Most High says:

“And among the people is he who worships Allah