the disagreement without taking a firm position. When he mentioned the two together, he would sometimes say, “Islam is the declaration of faith,” and sometimes he would not. Likewise, regarding declaring someone a disbeliever for abandoning the pillars, he would sometimes do so—even becoming angry over the matter—and sometimes he would not.

Al-Maymūnī said:

“I asked, ‘Abū ‘Abd Allāh, do you distinguish between Islam and faith?’

“He replied, ‘Yes.’

“I asked, ‘What evidence do you rely on?’

“He replied, ‘The hadiths generally indicate this.’ He then quoted:

“‘An adulterer is not a believer while committing adultery, nor is a thief a believer while stealing.’

“‘And Allah Most High says:

““The Bedouins say, ‘We believe.’ Say, ‘You have not believed; rather, say, “We have submitted.”’”

“He said, ‘Hammād ibn Zayd also distinguishes between Islam and faith.’

“He continued, ‘Abū Salama al-Khuzā‘ī narrated to us, saying, “Mālik and Sharīk said…”’ He mentioned their view and that of Hammād ibn Zayd: that there is a distinction between Islam and faith.

“Ahmad said, ‘A man said to me, “Had nothing else reached us concerning faith but this, it would have been sufficient.”’

“I asked Abū ‘Abd Allāh, ‘So you follow the apparent meaning of the Book together with the reports of the Sunnah?’

“He replied, ‘Yes.’

“I said, ‘Then if the Murji’a say that Islam is verbal profession…?’

“He replied, ‘They make all of this one and the same. They regard being a Muslim and being a believer as one and the same, considering the person to have faith like Gabriel’s and to be complete in faith.’

“I asked, ‘Is this, then, the basis of our argument against them?’

“He replied, ‘Yes.’”

Thus, he reported Ahmad’s distinction without qualification, along with his appeal to the scriptural texts as evidence.

Sālih ibn Ahmad said:

“My father was asked about Islam and faith. He replied, ‘Ibn Abī Dhi’b said: “Islam is verbal profession, and faith is deeds.”’

“He was asked, ‘What do you yourself say?’

“He replied, ‘Islam is distinct from faith,’ and cited the hadith of Sa‘d and the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.