in the cause of Allah—it is they who are truthful.”

This describes someone who has attained full faith, not someone who possesses merely an atom’s weight of faith. Likewise, Allah Most High says:

“The believers are only those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord.”

“Those who establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them.”

“It is they who are truly believers.”

And Allah Most High says:

“The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and who, when they are with him on a matter of common concern, do not leave until they have asked his permission. Indeed, those who ask your permission are the ones who believe in Allah and His Messenger.”

The Prophet’s saying (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is another example:

“An adulterer is not a believer at the time he commits adultery.”

There are other similar statements.

This explanation shows that the faith denied to these Bedouins is the same faith denied to sinful members of the Muslim community who will not remain in the Fire forever. Indeed, one of them may possess an atom’s weight of faith. Denying this faith does not entail affirming the disbelief that condemns a person to remain in the Fire forever.

Properly understanding “this point” removes the confusion here and makes it clear that there is a category of Muslims who are neither outright hypocrites in the lowest depth of the Fire nor among the believers of whom it is said:

“The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then never doubt, and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah—it is they who are truthful.”

Nor are they among those of whom it is said:

“It is they who are truly believers.”

Thus, they are neither hypocrites nor are they