Islam Is to Spare Lives (and to Keep the Trust) But Reward Comes From Belief

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Islam is to spare lives, protect the trust and make the marriage lawful, but reward comes from faith and belief.’”

“Faith or belief is to affirm and act accordingly. Islam is just an affirmation.”

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘The Arabs have said, “We have established belief.” Say, “You have not established belief but say, ‘We have accepted Islam.’…

“Once a man asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What is the difference between Islam and belief?’ The Imam then did not answer. Again he asked and the Imam did not answer. They then met each other on the road while the man was…

“I heard Abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘The Arabs have said, “We have established belief.” Say, “You have not established belief but say, ‘We have accepted Islam.’ Belief has not yet entered your hearts.” (49:14) Whoever…

he heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is to protect life, return the trust and make marriages lawful. Reward, however, comes from belief.’”