LessonsThe Nature of Faith: Inward Assent, Verbal Profession, and ActionsQuiz

A position attributed particularly to the Karrāmiyyah identifies faith with verbal profession alone. Its central difficulty is that someone who is inwardly insincere may repeat the exact formula spoken by a sincere believer.

Qur’anic evidence: Some people say, “We believe,” while in truth they do not believe (Al-Baqarah 2:8). A verbal-only definition struggles to explain this distinction between outward speech and inward faith.

This must not be confused with the separate issue of how courts and communities apply outward legal rulings. Reliance on outward evidence does not render inward belief irrelevant.

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The claim that faith is speech alone

The Nature of Faith: Inward Assent, Verbal Profession, and Actions

A position attributed particularly to the Karrāmiyyah identifies faith with verbal profession alone. Its central difficulty is that someone who is inwardly insincere may repeat the exact formula spoken by a sincere believer.

Qur’anic evidence: Some people say, “We believe,” while in truth they do not believe (Al-Baqarah 2:8). A verbal-only definition struggles to explain this distinction between outward speech and inward faith.

This must not be confused with the separate issue of how courts and communities apply outward legal rulings. Reliance on outward evidence does not render inward belief irrelevant.