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The_Foundations_of_the_Islamic_Belief, page : 202
just as
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the deformed individual whose limbs have been amputated is described as being no longer a human
being; in other words he lacks that perfection which is beyond actual humanity.
(ii) The Increase and Decrease of Belief
Second Matter: You may say, "The good, early generation have agreed that belief is subject to
increase and decrease - increasing with obedience and good deeds, and decreasing with disobedience
and sin." In that case I shall say that the good, early generation are just witnesses, and no one
has any
right to depart from their judgment. What they have said is true; but the important thing is to
grasp its
meaning. It proves that good deeds are not an integral part of belief nor a basic thing for its
existence.
Rather they are an addition which augments belief. Both the surplus and the deficit exist, but
Page 49 of 56
the deformed individual whose limbs have been amputated is described as being no longer a human
being; in other words he lacks that perfection which is beyond actual humanity.
(ii) The Increase and Decrease of Belief
Second Matter: You may say, "The good, early generation have agreed that belief is subject to
increase and decrease - increasing with obedience and good deeds, and decreasing with disobedience
and sin." In that case I shall say that the good, early generation are just witnesses, and no one
has any
right to depart from their judgment. What they have said is true; but the important thing is to
grasp its
meaning. It proves that good deeds are not an integral part of belief nor a basic thing for its
existence.
Rather they are an addition which augments belief. Both the surplus and the deficit exist, but