and deeds beyond what is required of others. Likewise, whoever is commanded to pay zakah must know what Allah has commanded concerning it, believe in it, and act upon it in ways not required of others. Thus, he is required to possess knowledge and faith and perform deeds that are not required of others—if knowledge and deeds are regarded as outside faith. If all of these are included within the meaning of faith, the point is stronger still. In either case, he is required to have faith that is not required of others.

For this reason, some people may believe in the Messenger in general terms, but when further matters arise, they do not believe in them and thus become hypocrites. This happened to a group who became hypocrites when the direction of prayer was changed to the Kaaba, and another group who became hypocrites when the Muslims were defeated at Uhud, and in similar cases.

This is why Allah describes the hypocrites in the Quran as having believed and then disbelieved, as mentioned in Surah al-Munāfiqūn. Something similar is mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah, where He says:

“Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness, unable to see.

Deaf, mute and blind—so they will not return.”

Some of the early generations said: “They knew, then denied; they saw, then became blind.” Among these were those who initially believed in general terms, but then matters arose that they did not believe