who were oppressed, when the polytheists compelled them to revile the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and utter similar words of disbelief. Some complied verbally, like ‘Ammār, while others endured the ordeal, like Bilāl. None of them was compelled to change his inner convictions; rather, they were compelled to speak. Whoever uttered such words without coercion did so only with his heart open to them.

Furthermore, “A group of Jews came to the Prophet and said, ‘We testify that you are indeed a messenger.’ They did not thereby become Muslims, because they said this merely to report what they held within themselves—that is, ‘We know and are certain that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘Why, then, do you not follow me?’ They replied, ‘We fear the Jews.’”

Thus, mere knowledge and reporting that knowledge do not constitute faith. One must profess faith as a declaration entailing commitment and submission, while also expressing one’s inner conviction. The hypocrites made a false assertion and were therefore disbelievers inwardly. These people uttered it without commitment or submission and were therefore disbelievers both outwardly and inwardly.

Likewise, it is widely reported that Abū Tālib knew that Muhammad was a prophet. The following verse is attributed to him:

“I know indeed that Muhammad’s religion
Is among the finest religions of mankind.”

Yet he refused to acknowledge Allah’s oneness and Muhammad’s prophethood out of love for his forefathers’ religion and aversion to being reproached by his people. His inward knowledge was not accompanied by the love and submission that exclude their opposites—love of falsehood and aversion to the truth—and so he was not a believer.