then his deeds have come to nothing,” and the rest of the verse. He also said:

“Had they associated partners with Allah, all they used to do would have come to nothing.”

And He said:

“If you associate partners with Allah, your deeds will surely come to nothing,” and the rest of the verse.

What the Muʿtazilah claim contradicts the statements of the early generations. For Allah, glorified is He, mentioned the prescribed punishment for the adulterer and other offenders, but did not declare them disbelievers whose deeds were nullified, nor command that they be killed as He commanded that apostates be killed. The hypocrites did not openly display their disbelief. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded that funeral prayers be offered for someone who had misappropriated war booty and someone who had killed himself. Had they been disbelievers and hypocrites, offering funeral prayers for them would not have been permissible. Thus, it is known that their faith was not entirely nullified.

He said concerning a man who drank wine:

“Do not curse him, for he loves Allah and His Messenger.”

That love is among the greatest branches of faith. Thus, it is known that his persistent drinking did not destroy all its branches.

It is established through numerous chains of transmission:

“Whoever has an atom’s weight of faith in his heart will be brought out of the Fire.”

Had their faith been nullified, none of it would have remained in their hearts.

Allah Most High said:

“Then We gave the Scripture as an inheritance,” and the rest of the verse.

Thus, he was counted among the chosen. Since evil deeds do not nullify all good deeds, do they nullify a corresponding amount of them? And can some good deeds be nullified by a sin short of disbelief? Those who affiliate themselves with the Sunnah hold two views on this: some deny it, while others affirm it, as the revealed texts indicate.

For example, He said:

“Do not nullify your charitable gifts with reminders of your generosity and hurtful words,” and the rest of the verse.

This indicates that this evil deed nullifies the charitable gift. He illustrated it with the example of someone who acts to be seen by others. And ʿĀ’ishah said:

“Tell Zayd that his jihad has been nullified,” and the rest of the hadith.