Next to the discussions about the duties of the Prophet’s...

Next to the discussions about the duties of the Prophet’s wives mentioned in the former verses, now, in this verse, there are some comprehensive and expressive statements stated about the whole men and women as well as their outstanding qualities. After mentioning ten specialties from among their ideological, ethical, and practical qualities, their great reward has been pointed out at the end of the verse.

A part of these ten specialties is about the stages of belief: (confession by the tongue, attesting by the heart, and practicing by the limbs). Another part of them speak about controlling the tongue, the stomach, and lust, which are three important factors in the life and morals of human beings.

Another part of the discussion is about the subject of supporting the deprived, standing against hard and heavy events with patience, which is the root of faith, and finally, it is about the main element of the continuation of these qualities, i.e., remembering Allah.

It says: “Verily the Muslim men and the Muslim women, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obedient men and the obedient women…” Some commentators have taken the words: ‘Islam’ and ‘faith’ mentioned in the above verse, with the same meaning, but it is clear that this repetition indicates that the purpose of them is two different things. It refers to the same matter which is mentioned in Surah Al-Hujurat, No.

49, verse 14, which says: “The dwellers of the desert say: ‘We believe’. Say: ‘You do not believe but say: ‘We submit’, and faith has not yet entered into your hearts, and if you obey Allah and His Apostle, He will not diminish aught of your deeds; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” This shows that Islam is that very confession by tongue which sets man in the row of Muslims and includes him in their ordinances, but faith is something testified by the heart and mind.

Some Islamic narrations have referred to this difference, too. In a narration we read that one of the companions of Imam Sadiq (as) once asked him about the meaning of ‘Islam’ and ‘Faith’, and he also asked him whether they are different from each other.

In answer to him, the Imam (as) said: “Yes, Faith accompanies Islam, but Islam may not accompany faith.” The man requested him (as) to explain it more, and the Imam (as) continued saying: “Islam is a confession denoting that there is no god but Allah, and testifying to the messengership of the Messenger of Allah (S).