Aml or practice broadly speaking signifies the external dimension of Imaan or Islaam . It refers to practice to righteous deeds and abstention from prohibitions. It covers the physical acts of the body regarding virtue and vice.
Aml is of the greatest importance for the cultivation, nourishment and development of Imaan . In the absence of Aml , Imaan remains stunted, withered and shorn of vitality and spiritual effulgence and glitter ( Noor ). For the progress of Imaan , the existence of Aml is imperative. The role of Aml is to develop Imaan into perfection.
While Aml is vital for the development and perfection of Imaan it is not a fundamental constituent in the nature of Imaan or Tasdeeq . Aml is not an integral part of Imaan . Aml is, therefore, not conditional for the validity of Imaan although it is conditional for its development and perfection. This should not be understood to mean that the non-acceptance of Aml does not negate Imaan . Rejection of Aml will destroy Imaan whereas non-execution of Aml will weaken Imaan , not negate Imaan , e.g. rejection of Salaat will negate Imaan . However, if Salaat is accepted as Rasoolullah 's (SAW) teaching, but is not practically executed, Imaan will be intact, albeit deplorably weak.
Since Aml is not a fundamental constituent part of Imaan , a person will remain a Muslim or a Mu'min even if he does not execute the practical side of Islaam as long as he subscribes to the Tasdeeq of the Shari'ah . Such Tasdeeq or Imaan as stated earlier exists with the concise assertion, viz. the Kalimah .