Originally, all the Sahaba (R) had accepted Islam with due thought and understanding and therefore, they were among the category of true Quranic mu'mins. However, many tribes accepted Islam in masses when Islam had become well-established as a system with rule of law in society. The Quran refers to these people as follows:
"These bedouins say that they are mu'mins. O Prophet! Tell them that you do not have Iman. You have only accepted to surrender (to Islam). Iman has not yet entered your hearts." (49:14)
The meaning and aspects of Iman from the Quran which sheds light as to why these bedouins should not call themselves mu'mins. If Allah does not let these bedouins call themselves mu'mins, who willingly accepted to enter Islam, how can born Muslims call themselves mu'mins, who did not accept Islam by choice and did not fulfill the requirements of Iman?
