Some commentators, when discussing these verses and similar passages—such as His saying:

“When adversity touches man, he calls upon Us, lying on his side, sitting, or standing. But when We remove his adversity, he goes on as though he had never called upon Us concerning the adversity that touched him”—

and other passages in which Allah mentions and condemns human failings, say: “This verse concerns the disbelievers; ‘man’ here means the disbeliever.” Those who hear this are then left thinking that none of this condemnation or warning applies to anyone who outwardly professes Islam. Rather, their thoughts turn to those Arabs who openly professed polytheism, or to those they know who openly profess disbelief, such as Jews, Christians, and polytheists among the Turks and Indians, and others like them. Thus, they derive no benefit from these verses, which Allah revealed to guide His servants.

The response is, first: those who outwardly profess Islam include both believers and hypocrites. Hypocrites are numerous in every age, and the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire.

Second: a person may have an element of hypocrisy and disbelief while also possessing faith, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in a hadith reported by both al-Bukhārī and Muslim:

“Whoever possesses four traits is a pure hypocrite, and whoever possesses one of them has a trait of hypocrisy until he abandons it: when he speaks, he lies; when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust; when he makes a covenant, he breaks it; and when he disputes, he acts wickedly.”

He thus stated that whoever possesses one of these traits has a trait of hypocrisy.