—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—:

“And indeed, if Allah wills, we shall join you.”

That is, he had no doubt about this, yet he qualified his statement. He also mentioned the Prophet’s saying—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—:

“We shall be raised from the grave, if Allah wills.”

He also mentioned the Prophet’s saying—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—:

“Indeed, by Allah, I hope to be the one among you who fears Allah most.”

He said: “All of this supports qualifying one’s profession of faith.”

I said to Abū ‘Abd Allāh: “So it seems that you see no harm in omitting the qualification?” He replied: “If the person holds that faith consists of words and deeds, and that it increases and decreases, then I find this less objectionable.” Then Abū ‘Abd Allāh said: “Some people’s hearts are too weak to make this qualification.” He expressed amazement at them and spoke at length; I have omitted those remarks.

Ahmad’s words thus indicate that the qualification concerns deeds—this is the “second basis”—and that it does not arise from doubt about the foundation of faith. This resembles the “third basis” and implies that omitting the qualification is permissible.

As for saying without qualification, “I am a believer,” this is valid if one means the foundation of faith rather than its completeness, and having entered into it rather than having attained its fullness. Likewise, someone who has begun Hajj or fasting may say, “I am a pilgrim,” or “I am fasting.” The same applies to the unqualified statement, “I believe in Allah and His messengers,” and to the statement, “If you mean such-and-such…” The point is that permission to describe oneself using a verb entails permission to use the corresponding noun when the context makes the intended meaning clear.

On this basis, one may understand what is reported from a companion of Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal, as well as the report of al-Hārith, who said, “I am truly a believer,” and the report of the delegation who said, “We are the believers”—although both chains of transmission are open to question.