The first stage of Islam is to accept and obey the exoteric commandments...

The first stage of Islam is to accept and obey the exoteric commandments, orders and prohibitions, by reciting ash-shahada­tayn ( اَلشَّهَادَتَيْنِ ) = the two testimonies, that is, testifying to the Oneness of God and Messengership of Muhammad, (S), no matter whether the belief has entered into the heart or not. Allah 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”...

(49:14) This Islam is followed by the first stage of al-iman ( اَلإيْمَانُُ ) = faith, belief); and that is the sincere belief in the above-menioned shahadatayn ; such a believer faithfully obeys most of the rules of the shari'ah. This…