the Quran that faith necessarily includes deeds alongside affirmation, just as the same has been explained regarding the terms prayer, zakah, fasting, and Hajj.

If it is said:

“Those terms retain their meanings, but certain acts have been attached to what they denote as part of the ruling, not as part of the meaning of the terms—as al-Qādī Abū Ya‘lā and others maintain.”

The response is:

If this is correct, the same may be said of faith. He raised this objection on behalf of some of them, but then gave no sound answer to it. Instead, he claimed that this is not mentioned in the Quran. That is not so. Rather, the Quran and Sunnah are filled with evidence that a person is not accorded the status of a believer unless deeds accompany affirmation. This is explained in the Quran far more extensively than the meaning of prayer and zakah. Those were explained only by the Sunnah, whereas the meaning of faith has been explained by the Book, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations.

(The twelfth point): When it is said that the Lawgiver addressed people in the language of the Arabs, He addressed them in the language familiar to them. Their customary usage allows a term to be unqualified and general, then acquire a qualification that narrows its meaning. For example, they say, “He went to the judge,” “the governor,” or “the commander,” intending a particular person known to them. The definite article, together with their knowledge of that person, identifies him. Yet in the language, the term is generic and does not designate any particular individual. There are many similar examples.

The same applies to faith, prayer, and zakah. He addressed them using these terms with the definite article, having already explained to them that what was intended was faith possessing such-and-such characteristics, and supplication possessing such-and-such characteristics. Thus, even supposing that faith means affirmation in their language, He has made clear: “I do not regard affirmation by the heart and tongue as sufficient, let alone affirmation by the heart alone. Rather, one must act in accordance with that affirmation.” This is illustrated by His words, exalted is He:

“The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then