His words “and his religion, and his Prophet” are grammatically joined to the previous object, so all three share the same accusative case. These, in brief, are the fundamentals of the religion; their particulars will be set out later by the Shaykh—may Allah have mercy on him—if Allah wills.

Why were these three singled out? Because they are the very foundations of Islam, and because they are the questions a servant will be asked when he is laid in his grave. For, as has been reported:

“When the servant is placed in his grave, the earth leveled over him and the people who buried him return to their families, two angels come to him in the grave. His soul is returned to his body and he lives a barzakh (intermediate) life—not like the life of this world, a life known only to Allah. The angels seat him up and ask, ‘Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet?’

The believer replies, ‘My Lord is Allah, my religion is Islam, and Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is my Prophet.’ They then say to him, ‘How did you come to know this?’ He answers, ‘I read the Book of Allah, understood it and believed it.’ A caller then proclaims, ‘My servant has spoken the truth. Spread out for him bedding from Paradise, open for him a gate to Paradise, and widen his grave as far as his sight reaches.’ A breeze bearing the fragrance and comfort of Paradise comes to him; he beholds his dwelling there and says, ‘O Lord, hasten the Hour so that I may return to my family and my wealth.’”

As for the doubter who lived upon misgiving, skepticism, and uncertainty—even though he might claim to be a Muslim—“if he harbors doubts and has…"