1/12. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 35b — Faith Has Many Branches
Clarifying the number of branches of faith, the best and the least of them, the virtue of modesty (Al-Haya') and the fact that it is part of faith
Faith Has Over Seventy Branches: Shahadah, Removing Harm, and Modesty
Sahih Muslim : 35b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 35b
حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الإِيمَانُ بِضْعٌ وَسَبْعُونَ أَوْ بِضْعٌ وَسِتُّونَ شُعْبَةً فَأَفْضَلُهَا قَوْلُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَدْنَاهَا إِمَاطَةُ الأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ وَالْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: Faith has over seventy branches or over sixty branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is no god but Allah, and the humblest of which is the, removal of what is injurious from the path: and modesty is a branch of faith.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 35bIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 60USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 56
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 35b
This hadith about faith has many branches gives a fuller picture than the shorter wording. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said faith has over seventy or over sixty branches. The highest branch is saying La ilaha illa Allah. The lowest branch is removing something harmful from the road. Modesty is also a branch of faith. This hadith shows that iman appears in words, actions, and character. The declaration of Allah’s oneness is at the top. A small public good, such as removing harm from the path, is also counted. Haya is named again as part of faith. The message is simple: faith should live in the heart, on the tongue, and in daily behavior.
What we learn from this hadith
- The highest branch mentioned is saying La ilaha illa Allah.
- Removing harm from the path is counted as a branch of faith.
- Modesty is named as a branch of faith.
- The hadith shows that iman is linked with belief, words, and helpful action.
