body. They are two distinct things, separate in ruling and meaning. They may also be likened to a seed with an exterior and an interior: it remains one seed. It is not called two seeds merely because the characteristics of its two parts differ. Likewise, the deeds prescribed in Islam are part of Islam and constitute the outward aspect of faith; they are deeds of the limbs. Faith is the inward aspect of Islam and consists of deeds of the heart.

It is reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

‘Islam is outward, while faith is in the heart.’

Another wording states:

‘Faith is inward.’

Islam thus consists of the deeds of faith, while faith consists of the convictions underlying Islam. There is no faith without deeds, and no deed without inward resolve. This is like outward and inward action: deeds of the heart and deeds of the limbs are bound to one another. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

‘Actions are only according to intentions.’

That is, there is no action without resolve and intent, for the word innamā (‘only’) affirms something and excludes everything else. He thereby affirmed both the deeds of the limbs in outward dealings and the deeds of the heart in intentions. Deeds stand in relation to faith as the lips do to the tongue: speech cannot function properly without both, for the lips bring the letters together and the tongue gives expression to speech. When either is absent, speech fails. Likewise, when deeds are absent, faith is lost.

Thus, when Allah enumerated His blessings upon the human being in granting speech, He mentioned the lips along with the tongue, saying:

‘Have We not given him two eyes, and a tongue and two lips?’

This means: Have We not enabled him to see and speak? He referred to speech by mentioning the tongue and lips because they are its organs. He mentioned the lips because speech—the blessing bestowed—cannot be complete without them. ‘Faith’ and ‘Islam’ may also be likened to a tent pitched on the ground, which has an exterior