Surah Muhammad — Verse 29

Word Meanings:

• "Am hasiba" (أَمْ حَسِبَ): "Or do they think" — here it carries the meaning of denial and rebuke, i.e., "Do they really assume?"
• "Alladhīna fī qulūbihim maraḍ" (الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَض): Those in whose hearts is a disease — referring to the hypocrites whose hearts are afflicted with doubt, envy, and malice toward Islam and its followers.
• "Aḍghānahum" (أَضْغَانَهُمْ): Their deep-seated grudges, hidden hatred, and rancor — plural of *ḍighn* (ضِغْن), which is an intense, concealed enmity.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse confronts the hypocrites with a piercing question that exposes their false assumptions. Allah asks: Do those whose hearts are diseased with hypocrisy and doubt truly imagine that Allah will never bring their hidden grudges and malice into the open? Do they think their secret hatred for the believers — their envy of Islam's triumph and their inner resentment — will remain forever concealed, never to be unveiled?

The answer is an emphatic negation. Allah, in His perfect wisdom and justice, will most certainly expose what lies buried in their chests. He will bring their concealed rancor to light through trials, tests, and circumstances that sift truth from falsehood. Just as fire separates gold from dross, the trials of life distinguish the sincere believer from the hypocrite. The one whose faith is genuine will emerge purified and strengthened, while the one whose heart is diseased will be exposed and disgraced — his true nature made manifest before the community of believers.

This is not merely a threat; it is a divine promise rooted in Allah's attribute of *Al-ʿAlīm* (the All-Knowing) and *Al-Ḥakīm* (the All-Wise). Nothing escapes His knowledge, and no secret remains hidden from His sight. The hypocrites may deceive people for a time, but they can never deceive Allah, nor can they escape His plan to reveal their true state.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, this verse carries a profound lesson for every soul. It reminds us that Allah sees what is in our hearts — every ounce of sincerity, every trace of malice, every hidden intention. The hypocrites thought they could outsmart Allah by concealing their inner reality, but Allah's wisdom is far above their schemes. He knows the pure heart and the corrupt one, and He will make each manifest in due time.

For the believer, this is a source of immense comfort. You do not need to prove your sincerity to people or defend yourself against every accusation. Allah knows your truth, and He will defend His sincere servants. For the one who harbors ill feelings toward the faith or its people, this is a solemn warning: purify your heart before the Day when secrets are laid bare. Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, for He is the One who transforms hatred into love, doubt into certainty, and disease into healing. The door of repentance is open — do not let pride or stubbornness keep you from entering it.