…so that his audience could retain and absorb it; had he given a lengthy reply, it would have confused those present and most of them would not have grasped it. This shows that anyone who is asked a question should, as far as possible, keep his answer brief and limit himself to what is essential. Islam comprises more than what he mentioned here; these are merely its pillars, the fundamental supports upon which it rests. He said, “You have spoken the truth.” – This is the second remarkable point. “He amazed us: he asks him and then confirms his answer.” – This indicates that the questioner was already knowledgeable; he was not asking out of ignorance but in order to teach, for his saying “You have spoken the truth” proves that he knew the answer beforehand. Why, then, did he ask? (51) He said, “Tell me about iman.” He replied, “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in destiny, both its good and its evil.” Thus the Prophet ﷺ listed the six pillars of iman (faith) after having stated the pillars of Islam. When Islam and iman are mentioned together, Islam refers to the outward acts, whereas iman denotes the inward acts—the actions of the heart, consisting of conviction and knowledge. Both Islam and iman are indispensable.