the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who followed them with excellence. In their view, qualification pertains to deeds, not to one’s verbal profession or inward affirmation. It applies only to the deeds that constitute true faith. They regard people as believers on the basis of their outward state: on that basis, they inherit from one another, marry one another, and are subject to the rulings of Islam. Their qualification, however, is made in accordance with what we have explained to you and what the scholars before us explained.

Many prophetic traditions and reports have been transmitted concerning this, demonstrating what we have said. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, in safety.” [al-Fath: 27]

Allah, Mighty and Majestic, knew that they would indeed enter it. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) entered the cemetery and said, “Peace be upon you, O abode of believing people. If Allah wills, we shall join you.”

He (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said, “I certainly hope that I fear Allah, Mighty and Majestic, more than any of you.”

It is related that a man said in the presence of ʿAbd Allah ibn Masʿūd, “I am a believer.” Thereupon Ibn