The Shaykh’s clarification of the reality of Islam, and that if it is accompanied by heart-conviction it is beneficial, otherwise it is hypocrisy.

The Shaykh : From this, we observe that there is an excuse for some of the Companions who committed the error of killing a polytheist when he saw himself, this polytheist, under the blow of the believer’s sword. He said, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah,” and yet the Companion did not care at all and killed him. When the news of this reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he (peace and blessings be upon him) became angry. This Companion excused himself by saying that he did not say it except as a ruse, meaning he knew that there was no faith there and no Islam, but only to escape being killed. But: We are not obligated to reach the hearts of people; rather, we have only the outward appearance, and Allah takes charge of the inner secrets, as the scholars say. For this reason, he (peace be upon him) said: . Thus, Islam benefits the Muslim if his Islam is from the heart; it benefits him in this world and in the Hereafter. But if his Islam is merely with the tongue and not with the heart, it benefits him in this world by saving him from being killed, but it does not benefit him in the Hereafter in any way. Therefore, He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: .