the Quran just as they conveyed its wording. If we supposed that some people heard speech in a foreign language and translated it for us into their own language, we would have no need to know the language in which they were originally addressed.

(The sixth): He has cited no example from Arab speech to support the claim he makes about their usage. His only evidence outside the Quran consists of people saying, “So-and-so believes in intercession,” “So-and-so believes in Paradise and Hell,” “So-and-so believes in the punishment of the grave,” and “So-and-so does not believe in that.” It is well known that these were not expressions used by the Arabs before the revelation of the Quran. Rather, people began using them after the era of the Companions, when adherents of religious innovation arose among them who denied intercession and the punishment of the grave.

What they mean by this is the same as what they mean when they say, “So-and-so believes in Paradise and Hell,” and “So-and-so does not believe in that.” Although affirmation in the heart is included in what the speaker means, that alone is not his intended meaning. Rather, he means affirmation with both heart and tongue, for affirmation in the heart alone, without verbal expression, cannot be known until the person declares what is in his heart.

(The seventh): It may be said that whoever says this does not mean affirming things that are hoped for or feared without any fear or hope. Rather, he affirms the punishment of the grave and fears it, and affirms intercession and hopes for it. Otherwise, if someone affirmed that he would be punished in his grave but had no fear of that whatsoever in his heart, they would not call him a believer in it. Likewise, they call someone a believer in Paradise and Hell only if he hopes for Paradise and fears Hell—not if he is wholly indifferent to them despite knowing that they are real.

Similarly, they do not call Iblīs a believer in Allah, even though he affirms His existence and Lordship. Nor do they call Pharaoh a believer, even though he knew that Allah had sent Moses and that it was He who sent down