With this distinction, many doubts are dispelled and the revealed texts are reconciled, for they all agree on this. The hypocrites, who outwardly display the opposite of what they conceal, are punished because their hearts have not believed, but have harbored disbelief. Allah Most High says:
“They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts.”
He also says:
“In their hearts is a disease.”
And He says:
“Those are the ones whose hearts Allah does not intend to purify.”
A hypocrite will inevitably reveal in his words and deeds something that indicates his hypocrisy and what he conceals. As ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān said: “No one conceals anything in his heart without Allah revealing it in his facial expressions and slips of his tongue.” Allah Most High has said concerning the hypocrites:
“If We willed, We could show them to you, and you would recognize them by their marks.”
Then He says:
“And you will surely recognize them by the tenor of their speech.”
This last statement is the clause answering an unstated oath, meaning: “By Allah, you will surely recognize them by the tenor of their speech.” Thus, recognizing the hypocrite by the tenor of his speech is inevitable, whereas recognizing him by his marks is dependent upon Allah’s will.
Now the verse:
“Whether you disclose what is within yourselves or conceal it”
is a statement from Allah; it contains no affirmation of faith on the servant’s part, unlike the two verses that follow it. As the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
“Whoever recites the last two verses of Sūrat al-Baqarah in a night, they will suffice him.”
Reported by both al-Bukhārī and Muslim. These two verses begin with His words:
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers,”
and continue to the end.
The statements of the early generations agree with what we have explained. Ibn ʿAbbās said: “This verse has not been abrogated. Rather, when Allah gathers all creation, He will say: ‘I will tell you what you concealed within yourselves