How are outward Islam and inward Iman related?
2026-09-21
T48 · Ibn Taymiyyah
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah
شيخ الإسلام أحمد بن تيمية
Selected explanation · Selected source passage(s) — fully translated
Selected explanation. The wording “it has been narrated” is preserved; the excerpt does not independently establish the grading of the quoted report. The English translates every displayed Arabic paragraph; this selection is not the complete surrounding work. Square brackets identify translator-supplied clarification.
النص العربي
المقتطف
فَكَذَلِكَ أَعْمَالُ الْإِسْلَامِ مِنْ الْإِسْلَامِ هُوَ ظَاهِرُ الْإِيمَانِ؛ وَهُوَ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ الْجَوَارِحِ؛ وَالْإِيمَانُ بَاطِنُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَهُوَ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ الْقُلُوبِ. وَرُوِيَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: {الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَانِيَةٌ؛ وَالْإِيمَانُ فِي الْقَلْبِ} وَفِي لَفْظٍ: {الْإِيمَانُ سِرٌّ} فَالْإِسْلَامُ أَعْمَالُ الْإِيمَانِ
English translation
English translation reviewed against the displayed Arabic by SalafAlSalih editorial preparation (AI-assisted); explanatory additions appear in square brackets or separate notes.
Selected explanation
Likewise, the deeds of Islam belong to Islam, which is the outward aspect of faith and consists of deeds of the limbs. Faith is the inward aspect of Islam and consists of deeds of the heart. It has been narrated from the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, that he said: “Islam is outward, and faith is in the heart”; and in another wording: “Faith is inward.” Thus Islam comprises the deeds of faith.
Source and editorial notes
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 7/334
مجموع الفتاوى
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā
Arabic passage checked against the cited volume and printed page. English reviewed against every displayed Arabic paragraph on 14 October 2026.