they say the same of the adulterer, the thief, and others who are described as lacking faith despite possessing assent to the truth. This is the soundest of the three views concerning them. Abū Tālib regarded those deserving blame for neglecting an obligation as being among those whose hearts were to be reconciled and who were given nothing, while regarding that man as a believer surpassed in excellence by someone else.

The majority, however, say that affirming Islam for them but not faith is like affirming it for that man: he was a Muslim, not a believer. In both cases, they are blameworthy, not merely surpassed in excellence by others. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character.”

Yet he did not deny faith to those below them. Allah Most High also said:

“Those among you who spent and fought before the conquest are not equal to the others. They are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. Yet Allah has promised the finest reward to all.”

Thus, He affirmed faith for both the more excellent and the less excellent. This is agreed upon among Muslims. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said:

“When a judge strives to reach a judgment and is correct, he has two rewards; if he strives and errs, he has one reward.”

He said to Saʿd ibn Muʿādh when he passed judgment concerning Banū Qurayzah:

“You have indeed judged them according to the judgment of the King from above the seven heavens.”

He would also say to someone whom he sent out with an army or a military detachment:

“If you besiege the people of a fortress and they ask you to let them surrender on the basis of Allah’s judgment, do not let them surrender on that basis, for you do not know what Allah’s judgment concerning them is. Rather, let them surrender on the basis of your judgment and that of your companions.”

These three hadiths are in al-Sahīh (the Authentic Collection). The hadith of Solomon, peace be upon him, also contains the words: “And I ask You for a judgment that accords with Your judgment.” These and other texts demonstrate what was agreed upon by the Companions and those who followed them