Thus, the remaining dispute concerns whether outward action is part of what the term “faith” denotes, conveyed by inclusion within its meaning, or a necessary concomitant of what it denotes.

The precise answer is that outward action is sometimes included within the term and sometimes necessarily accompanies what it denotes, depending on whether the term is used alone or alongside another term. When faith is mentioned alongside Islam, what “Islam” denotes falls outside the meaning of “faith,” as in the hadith of Gabriel, although it necessarily accompanies it. Likewise, when faith is mentioned alongside deeds, as in His words:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds,”

one may say that deeds are not included within the term “faith,” although they necessarily accompany it. Alternatively, one may say that they are included, and that their separate mention joins the particular to the general. In either case, deeds give practical expression to what faith denotes and confirm it. For this reason, a group of scholars—including Shaykh Abū Ismā'īl al-Ansārī? and others—said: Faith consists entirely of affirmation: the heart affirms what the messengers brought, the tongue confirms what is in the heart, and deeds confirm speech, as when one says, “His deeds confirmed his words.” Another example is the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him:

“The eyes commit fornication, and their fornication is looking; the ears commit fornication, and their fornication is listening; the hand commits fornication, and its fornication is grasping; the foot commits fornication, and its fornication is walking. The heart wishes and desires, and the private parts confirm this or belie it.”

Affirmation applies both to reports and to intent. Thus, one says, “So-and-so is sincere in his resolve,” “sincere in his love,” and “They launched a resolute charge.”

The early generations strongly condemned the Murji'ah when they excluded deeds from faith and said that people are alike in faith. There is no doubt that their claim that people’s faith is equal