through recommended deeds, just as the jurists say: “Ritual bathing has a sufficient form and a complete form. The sufficient form includes only the obligatory acts, while the complete form also includes the recommended acts.” The term “completeness” may refer either to obligatory completeness or to recommended completeness.
As for their statement that Allah distinguishes between faith and deeds in various passages, this is correct. We have explained that when faith is mentioned on its own, Allah and His Messenger include within it the deeds that have been commanded. Deeds may also be mentioned alongside faith, and we have given many comparable examples. This is because the foundation of faith is what resides in the heart, and outward deeds necessarily follow from it. It is inconceivable for the obligatory faith of the heart to exist in the complete absence of deeds performed by the limbs. Rather, whenever outward deeds are deficient, this is due to a deficiency in the faith within the heart. Thus, faith encompasses both the underlying reality and its necessary consequences, even though its foundation lies in the heart. Where deeds are mentioned alongside faith, the intended meaning is that faith in the heart alone does not suffice: righteous deeds must accompany it.
There are two views concerning expressions of this kind. Some say that the conjoined element was already included in the preceding term, but was then mentioned by its particular name to single it out, lest anyone suppose that it had not been included in the first term. They say that this applies whenever a specific term is conjoined to a general one, as in His words:
“Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His angels, His messengers, Gabriel, and Michael”
and His words:
“And when We took from the prophets their covenant, and from you, and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary”
and His words:
“And those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in what has been sent down to Muhammad—and it is the truth from their Lord”.
Thus, belief in what was sent down to Muhammad is singled out after His words, “Those who believe”. This verse was revealed concerning the Companions