Questioned about the rectification of the outward and the inward?

The Shaykh : It appears to me, and Allah knows best, that your question was premised on the idea that if a person’s outward appearance is rectified—for example, a person who dresses well and is pleasant and kind, and so on—while his heart is ruined and desolate, then this would enter into the rectification of his heart. I did not say that, and I will not say it, nor do I imagine a Muslim would say it. But the opposite is the correct view: that is, if a person is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) who does not prohibit or permit, and does not mean to be adorned with the beautiful morals that Islam brought, do you not agree with me that merely believing in Allah and His Messenger brings about a transformation in this person, both internally and externally? Do you not agree with me on this?

The questioner : Yes, it is the predominant opinion that this is the case.

The Shaykh : What do you say, my brother? "It is the predominant opinion"? Say, "I am certain of it," as I said earlier.

The questioner : I cannot.

The Shaykh : Strange. Well, let us hear from you then. The previous question returns, may Allah bless you: a man believed in Allah and His Messenger, and he had been a disbeliever in Allah and His Messenger. Did nothing change in him at all?

The questioner : It changes.

The Shaykh : By opinion or by certainty?

The questioner : Yes, certainly it changes.

The Shaykh : Well, and what was my question?

The questioner : Your question, I mean, was that it must change completely.

The Shaykh : No, I did not say "completely."

The questioner : That is what I said.

The Shaykh : No, my brother, may Allah bless you. I hope you do not add extra words to my speech, because it changes the topic.