is a tree, and after losing its branches it is still a tree; yet it may be complete or deficient. The same distinction should be applied to what is denoted by faith and religion: “Faith has three degrees.”

The faith of the foremost, those brought near to Allah, involves fulfilling both obligatory and recommended duties, whether these entail acting or refraining. The faith of those who follow a moderate course, the people of the right, involves fulfilling obligatory duties, whether these entail acting or refraining. The faith of the wrongdoers involves neglecting some obligations or committing some prohibited acts.

For this reason, the scholars of the Sunnah, when describing “the creed of the people of the Sunnah and the community,” state that they do not declare anyone who prays toward the qiblah an unbeliever on account of a sin. This alludes to the innovation of the Kharijites, who declare people unbelievers for sins as such.

As for the foundation of faith—acknowledging what the messengers brought from Allah, believing it to be true and submitting to it—anyone who lacks this foundation is not a believer. Thus, it is established through mass-transmitted hadiths:

“Bring out of the Fire anyone whose heart contains an atom’s weight of faith.”

“A grain’s weight of faith.”

An authentic narration also has:

“A grain’s weight of goodness.”

“An atom’s weight of goodness.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in the hadith narrated from Abū Hurayrah and reported by both al-Bukhārī and Muslim:

“Faith has sixty-odd—or sixty-odd, or seventy-odd—branches. The highest is saying, ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,’ and the lowest is removing something harmful from the road. Modesty is a branch of faith.”

It is thus known that faith admits of division into parts, and that through even a little faith Allah brings out of the Fire those who have entered it. It is not as claimed by those who depart from the position of the people of