[It must be made clear that the point at issue here is not what are the requirements for a person to be a full and true Muslim in belief and deed.]

At this point, it is important to keep in mind that personal piety is not being discussed here, that this is not a discussion of the definition of a full Muslim or true believer.

The issue relevant to the case is, What is the criteria laid down by Islam for a person to be known as, identified as and treated as a Muslim so far as matters of civil law and his social relations with other Muslims are concerned. The evidence on this point is divided into the following parts:

(1) From the Holy Quran, extracts showing that belief in God and His messenger makes a person a `Muslim'.

(2) From the Hadith, incidents showing that during the life-time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad people embraced Islam by reciting the Kalima Shahada.

(3) Opinion of Muslim authorities, throughout the history of Islam, again showing that to be known as a Muslim and included in the Islamic community, a person has only to profess the Kalima.

(4) Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, giving certain outward signs of a Muslim, so that a person showing those signs must be treated as a Muslim.

Also, we present detailed extracts from the writings of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, in which he strongly professed to be a Muslim, clearly stated that he believed in all the doctrines and practices of Islam as recognised by the Ahl as-Sunna, and urged his followers to adhere to the religion of Islam to the best of their ability.