in faith; upon their Lord they rely. Those who establish the prayer and spend out of what We have provided them—it is they who are the true believers.” [al-Anfal: 2, 3, 4]
He further depicts them as having skins that shiver, eyes that overflow with tears, and hearts that soften and find tranquillity at Allah’s verses and remembrance; as fearing their Lord in private and in public; and as giving what they give while their hearts are anxious, certain that they will return to their Lord.
He describes them as humble in all their states—especially in the prayer—as turning away from idle talk, paying the zakah, and safeguarding their private parts except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess; as standing firm in their testimonies and faithful to their trusts and covenants.
He portrays them as possessing complete certainty, free from any doubt, and as striving with their wealth and their very lives in the path of Allah.
He commends them for their sincerity to their Lord in everything they undertake or refrain from.
He portrays them as loving the believers, praying for their brothers who have preceded them in faith and for those who will come after, striving to purge their hearts of any rancour toward the believers; as allying themselves with Allah, His Messenger, and His believing servants while disavowing every enemy of the religion; as enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and obeying Allah and His Messenger in all their circumstances.
Thus Allah joins for them sound beliefs, perfect certainty, and complete penitence—whose fruits are compliance with the commands, avoidance of the prohibitions, and observance of the legal limits.
These splendid traits mark the consummate believer who is safe from punishment, deserving of reward, and who obtains every good that has been conditioned on faith.
Indeed, in His Book Allah has associated with faith no fewer than one hundred benefits and fruits, each one better than the whole of this world and all it contains.
He has linked to faith the attainment of His good pleasure, which is greater than everything, and He has