How to reconcile the action of the heart with the fact that those who asked the man to bring the fly closer did not ask him to believe in his heart?

The questioner:
A questioner says: In the thirteenth issue, regarding the knowledge that the action of the heart is the primary objective, even in the case of idol worshippers,

The Shaykh:
Yes.

The questioner:
He says: It was reported from Shaykh Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) that those who asked the man to bring the fly closer did not ask him to believe in his heart. So how do we reconcile this?

The Shaykh:
The action and the slaughter: what they asked of him was that hearts are in the hand of Allah; they did not ask him to believe in his heart. They asked him for the slaughter and for matters to be done by their outward appearance. So whoever slaughters for other than Allah is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah). We do not say that the intention is in the heart, that he intended it, or that he did not intend it. This is not empty talk. Yes.