8-15 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’ed ibn Abdullah quoted Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Uthman, on the authority of Abi Basir, “Once when I was with Abi Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB) a man told him, ‘May God improve you! There are some people in Kufa who have certain beliefs which they relate to you.’ The Imam (MGB) asked him, ‘What are those beliefs?’ The man said, ‘They say that belief is different from Islam.’ The Imam (MGB) said, ‘Yes. That is true.’ The man asked, ‘How come?’ The Imam (MGB) said, ‘Anyone who bears testimony that ‘There is no god but God. Muhammad is God’s Prophet’; believes in what Muhammad (MGB) has brought from God; establishes prayers; gives the alms; fasts in the month of Ramazan and goes on pilgrimage to Hajj is a Muslim.’ I (Abu Basir) asked, ‘Then what is belief?’ The Imam (MGB) said, ‘Anyone who bears testimony that ‘There is no god but God. Muhammad is God’s Prophet’; believes in what Muhammad (MGB) has brought from God; establishes prayers; gives the alms; fasts in the month of Ramazan; goes on pilgrimage to Hajj; and doesn’t meet God with a sin for which the punishment of the Fire (of Hell) has been declared is a believer.’ I (Abu Basir) asked, ‘May I be your ransom! How could we find someone who meets God without having committed a sin for which the punishment of the Fire has been declared?’ The Imam (MGB) said, ‘It is not so. The intention from this saying is that he commits a sin which for which the Punishment of the Fire has been declared and he doesn’t repent for committing it.’”
