And the obligation to pray, pay zakat, fast, and perform Hajj, and the prohibition of shameful deeds and intoxicants, are practical matters; yet there is agreement that denying them constitutes unbelief.

If he says, “Fundamental matters are those established with certainty,” he is told in reply:

“No. Many practical matters are established with certainty, while many matters of knowledge are not. Whether a matter is certain or probable is relative. A matter may be certain to one person because the conclusive evidence is clear to him—as in the case of someone who heard the text directly from the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and knew with certainty what he meant by it. To another person, it may not even be probable, let alone certain, because the text has not reached him, its authenticity has not been established to his satisfaction, or he has been unable to ascertain its meaning.”

The authentic collections record the Prophet’s account—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—of the man who said to his family:

“‘When I die, burn me, then crush me, then scatter me in the sea. By Allah, if Allah has power over me, He will punish me as He has never punished anyone in all creation.’

“Then Allah commanded the land to return what it had taken of him, and the sea to return what it had taken of him. He said, ‘What made you do what you did?’ The man replied, ‘Fear of You, my Lord.’ So Allah forgave him.”

This man doubted Allah’s power and the resurrection. Indeed, he thought that he would not be brought back and that Allah would have no power over him if he did that; yet Allah forgave him. These matters are discussed at length elsewhere.