Q 23: What is the textual proof that acceptance (of the Message of Islam) is a precondition of faith in Allah from the Glorious Qur'an and the Prophetic Sunnah?

Allah the Almighty says: {(It will be said to the angels): "Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship, instead of Allah, and lead them on to the way of flaming Fire (Hell),. but stop them, verily they are to be questioned. What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another (as you used to do in the world)? Nay, but that Day they shall surrender. And they will turn to one another and question one another. They will say: It was you who used to come to us from the right side. They will reply: Nay, you yourselves were not believers. And we had no authority over you. Nay! But you were Taghun (transgressing) people. So now the Word of our Lord has been justified against us, that we shall certainly (have to) taste (the torment). So we led you astray because we were ourselves astray. Then verily, that Day, they will (all) share in the torment. Certainly, that is how We deal with AI-Mujrimun. Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha illallah "(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah?" They puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it). And (they) said: "Are we going to abandon our alihah (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?}.

   Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) says: "The similitude of that guidance and knowledge with which Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has sent me is that of rain falling upon the earth. There is a good piece of land which receives the rainfall (eagerly) and as a result of it there is grown in it herbage and grass abundantly. Then there is a land hard and barren which retains water and the people derive benefit from it and they drink it and make the animals drink. Then there is another land which is barren. Neither water is retained in it, nor is the grass grown in it. And that is the similitude of the first one who develops the understanding of the religion of Allah and it becomes a source of benefit to him with which Allah sent me. (The second one is that) who acquires the knowledge of religion and imparts it to others. (Then the other type is) one who does not pay attention to (the revealed knowledge) and thus does not accept guidance of Allah with which I have been sent”.