the true believers who were tested and remained steadfast in faith, nor among the true hypocrites who turned away from faith under trial. This is the condition of many Muslims in our time—or most of them. When they undergo trials that cause people of faith to falter, their faith diminishes greatly, and most—or many—of them fall into hypocrisy. Some openly declare their apostasy when the enemy gains the upper hand. We and others have witnessed instructive instances of this. Yet when there is safety, or when the Muslims prevail over their enemy, they are Muslims. They believe in the Messenger inwardly and outwardly, but their faith does not withstand trial. Hence, neglect of religious obligations and violation of sacred prohibitions are widespread among them.
These are among those who said:
“We believe.”
They were told:
“Say, ‘You have not believed. Rather, say, “We have submitted,” for faith has not yet entered your hearts.’”
This means faith in its unqualified sense, whose possessors are the true believers. This is what faith means when mentioned without qualification in the Book of Allah Most High, as the Quran and Sunnah demonstrate.
Hence, Allah Most High says:
“The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then never doubt, and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is they who are truthful.”
Thus, no misgivings arose in them during trials that unsettle faith in people’s hearts. Misgivings can affect both the heart’s knowledge and its actions, whereas doubt affects knowledge alone. Hence, only someone whose heart is at peace in both knowledge and action can be described as possessing certainty. If someone knows the truth, but calamity or fear causes him profound anguish, he does not possess certainty.
Allah Most High says:
“There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking.”