What is the definition of faith (īmān) and righteous deeds (al-ʿamal al-ṣāliḥ) when they are mentioned together, and how are they achieved? Do they have specific, preferential ranks, knowing that piety (taqwā) is the performance of commands and the avoidance of prohibitions, and it is realized through knowing and implementing them?

Faith and righteous deeds are intertwined. When faith is mentioned generally, it encompasses deeds. If righteous deeds are then conjoined with faith, it could be a case of conjoining the specific with the general, or it could mean that the deeds were not initially included but are now being conjoined with it. Faith encompasses the beliefs, morals, and outward and inward actions of religion. It increases and decreases according to these characteristics. People are of varying degrees in faith: some are foremost in good deeds (they performed obligations and supererogatory acts, and abstained from prohibitions and disliked things), some are moderate (they performed obligations and abstained from prohibitions), and some are wrongdoers to themselves (they neglected some obligations and committed some prohibitions). The realization of faith is achieved by performing obligatory duties and refraining from prohibitions, and it is perfected by hastening to perform supererogatory acts and avoiding disliked things.