Chapter on Faith

If it is asked, “Where is faith firmly lodged?” say: “Its source and resting-place is the heart, while its branch extends throughout the body.”

If someone then asks, “Is it found in your finger?” reply, “Yes.” Should he go on to ask, “If the finger is cut off, where does the faith that was in it go?” answer, “It returns to the heart.”

If he next says, “Does Allah demand anything from His servants?” say, “No; it is they who make requests of Him.”

If he asks, “What is Allah’s right over them?” say, “That they worship Him alone and do not associate anything with Him. When they do so, their right upon Him is that He forgive them and reward them for it.”

Allah is pleased with the believers, as He says, “Allah was indeed well-pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you beneath the tree” (Q 48:18); and He is angered with Iblis.

His statement, “Do whatever you wish” (Q 41:40), is a threat from Him. And His words, “As for Thamud, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance” (Q 41:17) mean: We enabled them to see the truth and made it plain to them.