The believer may be punished for his sins.

He said, “A believer is someone who will enter Paradise by virtue of his faith, yet he may first be punished in the Fire for the offenses he commits.”

I asked, “And if a person says, ‘I am among the people of the Fire’?”

He replied, “He has lied, for he has no knowledge of that and has despaired of the mercy of Allah, Exalted is He.”

Abu Ḥanīfah, may Allah have mercy on him, added, “He ought to say, ‘I am truly a believer,’ because he harbors no doubt about his faith.”

I asked, “Is his faith like the faith of the angels?”

He answered, “Yes.”

I said, “Even if his deeds are lacking, is he still a true believer?”

He said, “Then relate to me the report of Ḥārithah: the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to him, ‘How have you awakened?’ He replied, ‘I have awakened as a true believer.’

“The Prophet said, ‘Consider well what you are saying, for every truth has a reality. What, then, is the reality of your faith?’

“He responded, ‘My soul has turned away from the world. I thirst by day and keep vigil by night, so that it is as though I can see—’”}