or because affirmation in the heart is not part of Islam. Rather, this distinguishes the components of a whole: they all constitute one thing, collectively called religion.”] (*)

For this reason, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“This is Gabriel, who came to teach you your religion.”

Both affirmation and action are encompassed by each of the terms Islam and faith. This is indicated by the words of the Exalted:

“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”

And His words:

“And I have approved Islam as your religion.”

And His words:

“Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him.”

He thus made clear that the religion He approves and accepts from His servants is Islam. Religion can receive His approval and acceptance only when affirmation accompanies action.

I say: Although the distinction made by the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the hadith of Gabriel implies that excellence is the highest level, that excellence encompasses faith, and that faith encompasses Islam, it does not establish the reverse. Even supposing that it indicated their inseparability, it explicitly shows that what one term denotes is not what the other denotes. The precise explanation, however, is that their meanings differ depending on whether they occur separately or together, as we have explained. Whoever understands this will find many difficulties resolved in numerous areas where various groups have gone astray—concerning the question of faith and other matters.

His statement that religion can receive approval and acceptance only when affirmation accompanies action indicates that faith must accompany action. This establishes that faith is obligatory in all circumstances, but it does not establish that the action constituting religion is not called Islam. If faith is a condition for its acceptance, it does not follow that faith necessarily accompanies it. Even if faith necessarily accompanied it, it would not follow that faith forms part of what the term Islam denotes.