those who outwardly profess Islam are divided into believers and hypocrites. What distinguishes the believer from the hypocrite is truthfulness, for lying is the foundation upon which hypocrisy is built. Thus, when Allah describes true faith, He characterizes it by truthfulness, as in His words, exalted is He:

“The Bedouins say, ‘We believe.’ Say, ‘You have not believed; rather, say, “We have submitted.”’”

Up to His words:

“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.”

He also says, exalted is He:

“For the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and deprived of their property, seeking bounty from Allah and His pleasure, and supporting Allah and His Messenger. It is they who are truthful.”

He thus declares that those who are truthful in their claim to faith are the believers whose faith is not subsequently overtaken by doubt and who strive in His cause with their wealth and their lives. This is the covenant taken from the earlier and later generations alike, as He says, exalted is He:

“And when Allah took the covenant of the prophets: ‘Whatever I give you of Scripture and wisdom, should a messenger then come to you confirming what you have, you must believe in him and support him.’ He said, ‘Do you acknowledge this and accept My binding covenant?’ They said, ‘We acknowledge it.’ He said, ‘Then bear witness, and I too am among the witnesses with you.’”

Ibn ʿAbbās said: “Allah never sent a prophet without taking a covenant from him that, if Muhammad were sent while he was still alive, he would certainly believe in him and support him. He also commanded him to take a covenant from his people that, if Muhammad were sent while they were still alive, they would certainly believe in him and support him.”

He also says, exalted is He:

“We certainly sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance so that people might uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which there is great might and benefits for people, and so that Allah may know who