Maʿrifah is cognition or recognition of something. Istīqān may mean firm certainty of its reality. Yet recognizing a truth does not necessarily mean submitting to and accepting that truth.
This becomes important when a person recognizes something but outwardly rejects it because of obstinacy, envy, or pride. The issue is the relation between knowledge and inward acceptance.
Thus defining faith merely as having a meaning present to the mind is considered insufficient. The distinct role of affirming and accepting the truth must be explained.