will have no fear, nor will they grieve.” And He says:

“Those who believe and do righteous deeds—We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity—they are the people of Paradise, where they will abide forever.”

There are many verses to this effect. The promise of Paradise, mercy in the Hereafter, and deliverance from punishment is linked to the designation of faith, whether mentioned without qualification or qualified by righteous deeds and the like. As explained earlier, faith mentioned without qualification includes doing what Allah and His Messenger have commanded. This promise has not been linked to the designation of Islam.

If someone who fulfils as much of faith as he is able, but cannot know its details, could be called a Muslim without being called a believer, he would be among the people of Paradise. Paradise would then be deserved by someone called a Muslim even though he was not called a believer. But this is not the case: Paradise has been linked only to the designation of faith.

This is also among the evidence cited by those who say that not every Muslim is among the believers promised Paradise. Were that the case, the promise of Paradise would have been linked to the designation of Islam, just as it has been linked to faith, to “piety” and “righteousness,” as in His words:

“Indeed, the righteous will be amid Gardens and rivers.”

And His words:

“Indeed, the virtuous will be in bliss.”

It has also been linked to the designation of the friends of Allah, as in His words:

“Indeed, the friends of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve.”

“Those who believe and are mindful of Allah.”

“For them are glad tidings in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. There is no changing the words of Allah. That is the supreme triumph.”

Since the designation of Islam is not used in this way, it is clear that what it denotes does not necessarily entail what faith denotes, whereas the designations of righteousness, piety, and the friends of Allah do. The designation of Islam therefore includes those subject to the threat of punishment, even though Allah rewards them for their obedience. For example, someone may have both faith and hypocrisy in his heart, with the latter making him deserving of punishment. Allah punishes such a person but does not leave him in the Fire forever, because his heart contains an atom’s weight of faith or more.