by the prophets who submitted to Allah, for the Jews.” All the prophets are believers.

He described the disciples as possessing both faith and Islam. The Most High said:

“When I inspired the disciples to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said, ‘We believe, so bear witness that we are Muslims.’”

And:

“The disciples said, ‘We are Allah’s helpers. We believe in Allah, so bear witness that we are Muslims.’”

The essential distinction is that Islam is a religion. The word dīn (“religion”) is the verbal noun of dāna, yadīnu, dīnan, meaning to submit and humble oneself. The religion of Islam, which Allah has approved and with which He sent His messengers, is submission to Allah alone. Its foundation in the heart is submission to Allah alone through worshipping Him alone, to the exclusion of all others.

Whoever worships Him while also worshipping another god alongside Him is not a Muslim. Whoever does not worship Him, but is too proud to worship Him, is not a Muslim. Islam is surrender to Allah: submission and servitude to Him. Thus the linguists explain: aslama al-rajul means “the man surrendered himself.” Fundamentally, then, Islam concerns action—the action of the heart and the limbs.

Faith, by contrast, is founded upon affirmation, acknowledgment, and knowledge. It therefore concerns the heart’s profession, which includes the heart’s action. Affirmation is its foundation, and action follows from it. This is why the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, explained faith in terms of the heart’s belief and submission: belief in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. He explained Islam in terms of a particular form of submission: the five pillars. Likewise, throughout his other statements, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, faith is explained in terms of the former, and Islam in terms of the latter; the former is higher.

This is why the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Islam is outward, and faith is in the heart.”

For people can see outward deeds, whereas