Making an Exception in One’s Declaration of Faith

He said: When someone says, “I am a believer, if Allah so wills,” he is told: Allah, exalted is He, says,

“Indeed Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace.” ⦗Q 33:56⦘

If you are a believer, then send blessings upon him; but if you are not a believer, do not send blessings upon him.

Allah, exalted is He, also says,

“O you who believe, when the call is made for the prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade…” ⦗Q 62:9⦘

Muʿādh—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “Whoever harbors doubt about Allah has thereby nullified all his good deeds, whereas one who believes yet falls into sins may hope for forgiveness while still fearing punishment.”

The questioner said to Muʿādh, may Allah be pleased with him, “If doubt cancels good deeds, then surely faith should be even more effective in wiping out misdeeds.”

Muʿādh replied, may Allah be pleased with him, “By Allah, I have never seen a man more astonishing than this one: you ask him, ‘Are you a Muslim?’ and he says, ‘I do not know!’”