of righteousness or any branch of faith; for some of these deeds are performed by believers and disbelievers alike, such as removing harmful objects from the road, treating one’s parents kindly, and fulfilling trusts.

Freedom from such turning away is only established by performing some of the obligations distinctive to the Islamic law brought by the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him—such as prayer, zakat, fasting, and pilgrimage—provided one does so out of faith and in hope of Allah’s reward.

Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah ~ said: “A man cannot, then, be a believer in Allah and His Messenger in the absence of any (1) of the obligations uniquely enjoined by Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.” (2).

2 - For a ruler to enact a law containing provisions that contradict definitive rulings of Islamic law known by necessity to be part of Islam; to require that judgments be rendered according to it and disputes referred to it; and to punish anyone who judges according to a ruling of Islamic law that conflicts with it—all while claiming to affirm the obligation to judge according to Islamic law, which is the judgment of Allah and His Messenger.