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ArticlesOfTheIslamicFaithByGhazali, page : 243
of one single offense? As for the Words of Allah: "He who kills
a believer deliberately," they mean whoever kills a believer
because of his belief, and the words have been revealed
for that particular purpose.
You may say, "What has already been said will lead to the conclusion
that belief obtains without good deeds although it is
well known that the good, early generation said that belief
comprises inward adherence, verbal confession and good deeds;
explain to us therefore the meaning of all this. I shall
then say it is not unlikely that good deeds are considered
a part of belief, because they perfect and complete it, just
as it is said that the head and hands are part of man. It is
evident that a person will cease to be human if his head no
longer exists; but he will not cease to be a human being if
a believer deliberately," they mean whoever kills a believer
because of his belief, and the words have been revealed
for that particular purpose.
You may say, "What has already been said will lead to the conclusion
that belief obtains without good deeds although it is
well known that the good, early generation said that belief
comprises inward adherence, verbal confession and good deeds;
explain to us therefore the meaning of all this. I shall
then say it is not unlikely that good deeds are considered
a part of belief, because they perfect and complete it, just
as it is said that the head and hands are part of man. It is
evident that a person will cease to be human if his head no
longer exists; but he will not cease to be a human being if