The “Karrāmiyya” also agree with the Murji'a and the Jahmiyya that all people’s faith is equal, and they do not qualify their profession of faith by saying “if Allah wills.” Rather, they say of anyone who outwardly professes faith, “He is truly a believer.” If he is a hypocrite, however, then according to them he will remain in the Fire forever, for only those who believe both inwardly and outwardly will enter Paradise. Whoever reports that they say hypocrites will enter Paradise has falsely attributed this to them. Rather, they say that the hypocrite is a believer because faith consists of outward speech, just as others call him a Muslim because Islam consists of outward submission. There is no doubt that the Jahmiyya’s position is more unsound than theirs in numerous respects, whether judged by revelation, language, or reason.

If it is said, “The Karrāmiyya’s position departs from the consensus of the Muslims,” the reply is: “Jahm’s position on faith likewise departs from the consensus of the Muslims before him. Indeed, the early generations declared those who held Jahm’s position on faith to be disbelievers.” People have advanced sound arguments demonstrating the falsity of the Karrāmiyya’s position, yet arguments of the same kind demonstrating the falsity of the Jahmiyya’s position are even more numerous. One example is the saying of Allah Most High:

“And among the people are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day,’ but they are not believers.”

They say, “Allah has thus denied that the hypocrites have faith.”

We reply: This is true, for the hypocrite is not a believer, and whoever calls him a believer has gone astray. Likewise, those who possess knowledge and assent in their hearts, yet deny the Messenger and show hostility towards him—such as the Jews and others—Allah has called disbelievers. He has never called them believers, nor have any of the rulings of faith applied to them. This is unlike the hypocrite, to whom the outward rulings of faith do apply in this world. Indeed, Allah has denied faith even to someone who affirms it with his tongue and in his heart if he does not act, as Allah Most High says:

“The Bedouins say, ‘We believe.’