is among the gravest errors. People are not equal in affirmation, love, reverent fear, or knowledge; rather, they differ in degree in many respects.

Moreover, their exclusion of deeds suggests that they have also excluded deeds of the heart, and this is unquestionably false. Someone who affirms the Messenger’s truthfulness yet hates him and opposes him in heart and deed is unquestionably a disbeliever, as is self-evident. If, however, they include deeds of the heart within faith, they are still mistaken, since faith cannot exist in the heart without any bodily action.

The purpose here is not to enumerate every particular act. Rather, consider someone who believes in Allah and His Messenger in his heart: if he sees the Messenger and his enemies fighting him, and can watch them and urge others to support the Messenger without suffering harm, can it ordinarily be conceived that he would make no move whatsoever to support the Messenger? It is well known that this is impossible. Thus, jihad that is incumbent upon a person, according to his ability, is part of faith, and its absence is evidence that the reality of faith is absent. Indeed, it is authentically reported from him:

“Whoever dies without having fought or contemplated fighting dies with a trait of hypocrisy.”

This hadith indicates that a person may possess some traits of hypocrisy alongside the faith he has. Also relevant are the words of Allah Most High:

“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.”

Furthermore, it is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: