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ArticlesOfTheIslamicFaithByGhazali, page : 225
because they insist that a person who commits a great sin will
remain eternally in Hell fire. Yet he who holds such views
holds the same views of the Mu'tazilites, since if he were
asked whether or not a person, who accepted Islam with his
heart and testified with his tongue thereto and then died,
would be in Paradise, he would say 'Yes', thereby asserting
that belief could exist without deeds.
We would then add another question and ask him whether or not
that person, if he had lived until the time of prayer had arrived,
but neglected to perform his prayer and died immediately
after, or if he had committed fornication and died, whether
or not he would remain eternally in Hell fire? If he should
answer, 'Yes', he would agree with the Mu'tazilites; but
if he should say, 'No', it would amount to a declaration that
remain eternally in Hell fire. Yet he who holds such views
holds the same views of the Mu'tazilites, since if he were
asked whether or not a person, who accepted Islam with his
heart and testified with his tongue thereto and then died,
would be in Paradise, he would say 'Yes', thereby asserting
that belief could exist without deeds.
We would then add another question and ask him whether or not
that person, if he had lived until the time of prayer had arrived,
but neglected to perform his prayer and died immediately
after, or if he had committed fornication and died, whether
or not he would remain eternally in Hell fire? If he should
answer, 'Yes', he would agree with the Mu'tazilites; but
if he should say, 'No', it would amount to a declaration that