Surah Muhammad Tafseer

وَلَوْ نَشَاء لَاَرَيْنَاكَهُمْ فَلَعَرَفْتَهُم بِسِيمَاهُمْ

Had We so willed, We could have shown them clearly to you, so that you would know them by their marks.

Allah is telling His Messenger, "Had We willed, O Muhammad, We would have shown you the specific individuals who are hypocrites, so that you would plainly know them."

However, Allah did not do that in regard to all of the hypocrites. He conceals His creation, lets their affairs run according to apparent purity, and leaves the inner secrets to the One Who is well aware of them.

Allah then adds,

وَلَتَعْرِفَنَّهُمْ فِي لَحْنِ الْقَوْلِ

But you will know them by the tone of their speech!

which means, `you will know them by their speech that reveals their intentions.'

A person declares his association through the context and meaning of his words -- as the Commander of the faithful Uthman bin Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, said,

"Never would one conceal a secret but Allah will expose it by the look on his face and the uncontrolled words of his tongue."

وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَعْمَالَكُمْ

And Allah knows (all) your deeds.

Allah then says