and I do not know its interpretation or its explanation,” then he is not to be deemed a disbeliever, for he believes in the revelation but has erred in its commentary. A mistake in interpretation does not expel a person from the faith, and one who is ignorant while living in a land of polytheism is likewise not declared an unbeliever.

I said to him, “Suppose someone affirms the entirety of Islam while residing among idolaters, yet he knows nothing of the obligatory acts or the laws, does not affirm the Book, nor any of the rulings of Islam—save that he acknowledges Allah, exalted is He, and belief—yet he does not acknowledge any of the ordinances of faith. If he were to die in that state, would he be a believer?”

He replied, “Yes.”

I asked, “And if he knows absolutely nothing and acts upon nothing save that he acknowledges faith, and then he dies?”

He said, “He is a believer.”

Abū Ḥanīfa’s Definition of Faith and the Entrusting of Deeds to Allah the Exalted—each person is facilitated for that for which he was created.

I said to Abū Ḥanīfa, “Inform me about faith.”

He said, “It is to testify that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, to bear witness to His angels, His books, His messengers, His Garden and His Fire, the Resurrection, and that good and evil are all from Him.”