Allah has thus described religion as statement and deed, saying: “But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, then they are your brothers in religion.” [al-Tawbah: 11]

Repentance from polytheism is faith, while prayer and zakah are deeds. As al-Awza'i said: “Faith is not sound except with statement; faith and statement are not sound except with deeds; and faith, statement, and deeds are not sound except with an intention in accordance with the sunnah.”

Thus, those of the righteous predecessors who came before did not distinguish between faith and deeds: deeds are part of faith, and faith is part of deeds. Faith is a comprehensive term, just as the term religion encompasses these religions, and deeds confirm it. Whoever believes with his tongue, recognizes with his heart, and confirms that through his deeds has grasped the firmest handhold, which will never break. But whoever speaks with his tongue without recognizing with his heart or confirming it through his deeds, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.