Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AL 'ANKABUUT [10]

10. Of mankind are some who say: ”We believe in Allah.'' But if they are made to suffer for Allah, they consider the trial of mankind as Allah's punishment; and if victory comes from your Lord, they will say: ”Verily, we were with you.'' Is not Allah Best Aware of what is in the breasts of the creatures 11. And indeed Allah knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the hypocrites. Allah mentions the descriptions of the liars who falsely claim faith with their lips, while faith is not firm in their hearts. When a test or trial comes in this world, they think that this is a punishment from Allah, so they leave Islam. Allah says:

(Of mankind are some who say: ”We believe in Allah.'' But if they are made to suffer for Allah, they consider the trial of mankind as Allah's punishment;) Ibn `Abbas said, ”Meaning that their trial is leaving Islam if they are made to suffer for Allah.'' This was also the view of others among the Salaf. This Ayah is like the Ayah,

(And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were upon the edge: if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face...) until:

(That is a straying far away) ï´¿22:11-12ï´¾. Then Allah says:

(and if victory comes from your Lord, they will say: ”Verily, we were with you.'') meaning, ”if victory comes from your Lord, O Muhammad, and there are spoils of war, these people will say to you, `We were with you,' i.e., we are your brothers in faith.'' This is like the Ayat:

(Those who wait and watch about you; if you gain a victory from Allah, they say: ”Were we not with you'' But if the disbelievers gain a success, they say (to them): ”Did we not gain mastery over you and did we not protect you from the believers'') (4:141).

(Perhaps Allah may bring a victory or a decision according to His will. Then they will become regretful for what they have been keeping as a secret in themselves) (5:52). And Allah tells us about them here:

(and if victory comes from your Lord, they will say: ”Verily, we were with you.'') Then Allah says:

(Is not Allah Best Aware of what is in the breasts of the creatures) meaning, `does Allah not know best what is in their hearts and what they store secretly within themselves, even though outwardly they may appear to be in agreement with you'

(And indeed Allah knows those who believe, and verily He knows the hypocrites.) Allah will test the people with calamities and with times of ease, so that He may distinguish the believers from the hypocrites, to see who will obey Allah both in times of hardship and of ease, and who will obey Him only when things are going in accordance with their desires. As Allah says:

(And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard and the patient, and We shall test your facts.) (47:31) After the battle of Uhud, with its trials and tribulations for the Muslims, Allah said:

(Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good...) (3:179)