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ArticlesOfTheIslamicFaithByGhazali, page : 226
deeds are neither a part of belief itself nor a prerequisite
for its existence. Neither are they necessary for gaining
the reward of Paradise. But if he should say that what he
meant was that the person would remain eternally in Hell fire
only if he had lived a long time without either praying or
attempting any of the deeds prescribed by the Religion, we
would say, exactly how long is that period, and how many are
those good deeds through the neglect of which belief is rendered
worthless? How many of the great sins would, if committed,
annul belief?" Such a thing is impossible to determine
and no one has ever done so.
The fourth degree is represented in the case of the person who
accepts Islam inwardly with his mind but dies before either
confessing it verbally with his tongue or performing any of
the deeds which its pillars prescribe. Would it be said that
for its existence. Neither are they necessary for gaining
the reward of Paradise. But if he should say that what he
meant was that the person would remain eternally in Hell fire
only if he had lived a long time without either praying or
attempting any of the deeds prescribed by the Religion, we
would say, exactly how long is that period, and how many are
those good deeds through the neglect of which belief is rendered
worthless? How many of the great sins would, if committed,
annul belief?" Such a thing is impossible to determine
and no one has ever done so.
The fourth degree is represented in the case of the person who
accepts Islam inwardly with his mind but dies before either
confessing it verbally with his tongue or performing any of
the deeds which its pillars prescribe. Would it be said that