; disbelief, in turn, is sometimes considered in terms of failing to believe the Messenger and have faith in him. In this respect, everything he has reported stands on the same footing. At other times, it is considered in terms of failing to acknowledge what he has reported. Fundamental to this is what he has reported about Allah and His names. Thus, denying matters in this category is graver than denying other matters, even though the Messenger has reported both.

Merely believing his report and knowing that what he has reported is true does not constitute faith if it is accompanied by neither inward nor outward obedience to his command, nor love or reverence for Allah. The disbelief of Iblīs, Pharaoh, the Jews, and others like them did not originate in a lack of belief or knowledge. No one conveyed a report to Iblīs; rather, Allah commanded him to prostrate before Adam, but he refused, acted arrogantly, and became one of the disbelievers. His disbelief consisted in refusal, arrogance, and what followed from them—not in disbelieving a report.

Likewise, Pharaoh and his people rejected the signs out of injustice and arrogance, though inwardly they were certain of them. Moses said to him:

“You know well that none but the Lord of the heavens and the earth has sent down these signs.”

Here, one of two things may be said. The first is that arrogance, refusal, envy, and similar things that constitute disbelief necessarily entail the absence of the knowledge and affirmation that constitute faith. For anyone whose knowledge and affirmation were complete would necessarily submit and obey, with an example to follow, just as a firm resolve necessarily brings about the intended act when the ability is present. Thus, if the intended act does not occur despite the ability to perform it, this indicates that there is no determination or will in the heart. Likewise, if the love and submission of the heart that necessarily follow from affirmation and knowledge are absent, this indicates that what the heart possesses is neither affirmation nor knowledge; rather, there is a misgiving