The same applies to all others who commit major sins: their faith is deficient. If someone has a trait of hypocrisy in his heart, he will be punished for it unless Allah pardons him, but he will not remain in the Fire forever. These people are Muslims but not believers, although they possess faith. Yet they also possess hypocrisy, which is contrary to faith. Thus, calling them believers is no more warranted than calling them hypocrites, especially if they are closer to disbelief than to faith.

In the rulings of this world, they are included under the designation of faith, just as the outright hypocrite is—and with greater reason, since they possess faith by virtue of which they are included in Allah’s address:

“O you who believe!”

For this commands them to do what benefits them and forbids them from doing what harms them, and they need such guidance. If the faith they possess entails their inclusion in the wording of this address, there is nothing further to discuss. Otherwise, they are no worse off than the outright hypocrite. That hypocrite, too, is commanded to perform these deeds; they benefit him in this world, and by virtue of them he will be gathered with the believers on the Day of Resurrection. Through them he will be distinguished from the followers of other religions on the Day of Resurrection, just as he was distinguished from them in this world. But at the moment of truth, a barrier will be erected:

“Then a wall will be erected between them, with a gate: within it is mercy, and outside it is punishment.”

“They will call out to them, ‘Were we not with you?’ They will reply, ‘Yes, but you led yourselves into temptation, waited and doubted, and were deluded by wishful thinking until Allah’s command came. And the Deceiver deceived you about Allah.’”

“So today no ransom will be accepted from you, nor from those who disbelieved. Your abode is the Fire; it is your refuge. What an evil destination!”

Allah Most High has also said:

“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, and you will never find a helper for them.”

“Except those who repent, mend their ways, hold fast to Allah, and devote their religion sincerely to Allah. Those will be with the believers, and Allah will grant the believers a great reward.”

When a servant does righteous deeds for Allah, this is Islam, which is Allah’s religion, and he will