This is the “hypocrisy” that the early generations feared for themselves, for someone in this condition may possess a trait of hypocrisy.
Beyond this are the faith and its attendant deeds by which Allah has distinguished those brought near to Him above the righteous, the people of the right. This may consist of recommended acts. A believer may also be favoured through aspects of faith and Islam that are obligatory for him but not for others. Hence the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest faith.”
In another hadith:
“Beyond that there is not even a mustard seed’s weight of faith.”
He means that beyond this rejection, nothing belonging to faith remains for the believer to do. Rather, rejecting evil in the heart is the final boundary of faith. He does not mean that someone who fails to reject it has not even a mustard seed’s weight of faith. This is why he said, “Beyond that.”
He thus placed believers in three ranks, each fulfilling the faith obligatory upon him. However, because the first has the greatest ability, what is obligatory upon him is more complete than what is obligatory upon the second; and what is obligatory upon the second is more complete than what is obligatory upon the last. This establishes that people differ in the faith obligatory upon them according to their ability, even though the divine command has reached them all.