And when it is said:

“So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet,”

belief in His Messenger includes belief in all the Books, messengers and prophets. The same applies when it is said:

“And believe in His Messenger; He will grant you a double share of His mercy.”

And when it is said:

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend from that over which He has made you trustees,”

belief in Allah and His Messenger includes belief in all of that. Spending is also included in His saying in the other verse:

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger,”

just as upright speech is included in such words of His as:

“And We have certainly enjoined those who were given the Scripture.”

Likewise, when “righteousness” is mentioned without qualification, it encompasses everything Allah has commanded, as in His saying:

“Indeed, the righteous will be in bliss, and the wicked will be in Hellfire.”

And His saying:

“Rather, righteousness is in one who fears Allah.”

And His saying:

“Rather, righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scripture and the prophets; who gives wealth, despite his love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the stranded traveller, those who ask, and to free those in bondage; who establishes prayer and gives zakah; those who fulfil their promises when they make them; and those who are patient in poverty, hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and those are the ones who are pious.”

Thus, when righteousness is mentioned without qualification, it denotes the same as piety; and when piety is mentioned without qualification, it denotes the same as righteousness. Yet the two may be mentioned together, as in His saying, Exalted is He:

“Cooperate in righteousness and piety.”

Likewise, when “sin” is mentioned without qualification, it includes every sinful act. Yet it may be mentioned alongside transgression, as in His saying, Exalted is He:

“And do not cooperate in sin and transgression.”

Likewise, when “sins” are mentioned without qualification, they include neglecting any obligation and committing any forbidden act, as in His saying:

“O My servants