The branches of Imaan
Preface
From the confirmed principles and relied-upon foundations of the beliefs of the people of Sunnah, is that Imaan is made up of branches and parts, and these branches and parts that comprise Imaan are of levels and distinctions. And the people of Imaan are of distinctions by way of what is established in them from Imaan and certainty, and by way of what they establish from obedience, consciousness of Allah and adhering to that which is best and forsaking that which Allah the Exalted has prohibited; that which is forbidden, detested, and whatever is between them from the unclear matters. [110] “Majmoo’ al-Fataawa” (7/408)

On the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ? said, “Imaan has sixty odd – or seventy odd – branches, and the most virtuous of them is the saying “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah” and the least of them is removing harm from the road, and modesty is a branch of faith.” [111] Reported by al-Bukhaaree (9) in summary, and by Muslim (35) and the text is his. Al-Khattaabee said, “In this hadeeth is a clarification in that legislative Imaan is the term with a meaning that has branches and parts, it has higher levels and lower ones. The term is used in regard to part of it as it is used in regard to all of it. And the reality of it requires all of its parts to be fulfilled.” [112] “Ma’aalim as-Sunan” (4/312)

Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Imaan is a foundation that has numerous branches, and each of its branches are termed as being Imaan…and from these branches are ones that, if removed, remove Imaan, such as the branch of Shahadah. And from them are ones that don’t remove Imaan when they are removed, such has forsaking removing harm from the road. And between them are branches that are of numerous different levels.” [113] “as-Salaah” (p.55)

The scholars rely upon the previous hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah regarding the branches of Imaan, and they considered it as a foundation to prove that acts of obedience are a part of Imaan. The scholars authored exclusive books on this subject matter, from them:

-      Al-Minhaaj Fee Shu’b Al-Imaan, by al-Haleemee, which Al-Bayhaqee summarised it in the book “Al-Jaami’ Lishu’ab al-Imaan and paid attention to the chains of narrations included in the book, contrary to al-Haleemee.
-      Al-Qazweenee summarised the book of al-Bayhaqee, and all of them counted seventy-seven branches from the branches of Imaan along with their explanation.

Some of the people of knowledge mentioned the branches of Imaan within their books and compilations, from them:
-      The book “Sharh Usool ‘Itiqaad Ahl Al-Sunnah”, by al-Lalaaka’ee, in which he mentioned seventy-two branches of Imaan, and under each one he listed the hadeeths related to it. [114] “Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahl as-Sunnah” (5/981-1011)
-      The book “Al-Ibaanah” by Ibn Battah, in which he counted seventy branches without mentioning their textual evidence. [115] “al-Ibaanah” (2/650-653)
-      The book “Fath al-Baaree” by Ibn Hajar. [116] “Fat-h al-Baaree” (1/52)