Chapter II: Foundation of Belief
(b) The second question relates to interpretation of the words Iman and Islam. Shariat used the words in three diffrent ways both (a) in one meaning, (b) in two meanings, or (c) in two meanings mixed together, (a) The one meaning is supported by the verse : I have taken out the believers who were in the city and I did not find in it but only one house of Muslims — 51 : 35. In fact there was only one family of Muslims. God said :0 my people, if you believe God, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslim — 10:84. The Prophet said : Islam is built upon five pillars.
He answered it when questiond about Iman. (b) As to the two meanings of the words, God said : The desert Arabs say : We have believed. Say, you have not believed, but say : We have accepted Islam — 49:14. This shows that they surrendered outwardly.- Gebriel once asked the Prophet : Whatis Iman and what is Islam ?
The Prophet replied in two different meanings. These meaning's are mixed together. Islam is the work of mind, words and actions, while Iman is an action of mind or to confirm truth by mind.
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(c) the third meaning relates to rules of Shariat which governs the two terms : One relates to the hereafter and another to this world. The former is to bring out men from Hell fire and not allow them to remain there forever. The Prophet said : Whose has in his heart the belief to the weight of an atom will be brought out of Hellfire. What sort of Iman is this ? Some say it is inward belief and some say it is verbal confession. Some say it is actions according to Islam. It is again said that he who combines in himself all these three elements will be taken out of Hell. With regard to the second element, a man will also be taken out of Hell although he committed some major sins. He is called Fasiq or a great sinner. The third element is confirmation of faith by mind and attestation by tongue but not followed by action. Regarding confirmation of truth by mind at death before verbal confession by tongue, such a man also will betaken out of Hell as the Prophet said: He who has an atom of belief in his heart will be taken out of Hell. Regarding verbal confession by tongue of Kaleima Shadadat but not confirmation by mind, there is no doubt that such a person will remain forever in Hell.