for if the effects and consequences of things differ in degree, this entails that the things themselves differ in degree. Otherwise, identical determining causes would necessarily produce identical effects and consequences. Thus, differences in people’s outward deeds entail differences in what gives rise to and necessitates those deeds. This makes clear:
(The second)
The second respect in which faith increases and decreases is the increase and decrease of the deeds of the heart. Every believer knows from direct experience that people differ in their love for Allah and His Messenger, their fear of Allah, their turning to Him, their reliance upon Him, and their sincerity towards Him. They also differ in how free their hearts are from showing off, arrogance, self-admiration, and similar traits, and in their compassion for others, their sincere concern for them, and other qualities of faith.
It is reported in the two Sahīh collections that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Whoever possesses three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: that Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anything else; that he loves a person only for Allah’s sake; and that he hates to return to disbelief after Allah has saved him from it as much as he hates to be cast into the Fire.”
Allah Most High says:
“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses, and your clan”
up to His words:
“are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait.”
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“By Allah, I fear Allah more than any of you and know His prescribed limits best.”
He also said:
“None of you believes until I am dearer to him than his child, his father, and all people.”
“ʿUmar said to him, ‘O Messenger of Allah, you are dearer to me than everything except myself.’ He replied, ‘No, ʿUmar—not until I am dearer to you than your own self.’ ʿUmar said, ‘Then you are indeed dearer to me than my own self.’ He replied, ‘Now, ʿUmar.’”