The 77 Branches of Faith

The 77 Branches of Faith
The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,

"There are over 70 branches of faith.
The highest is to bear witness that,
"There is no god but Allah
and Muhammad (PBUH)
is the Messenger of Allah"
(la ilaha illAllahu Muhammadur Rasulullah).
The lowest is
the removal of harm from the road.
Modesty is also of faith."


The 77 branches of faith is a collection compiled by Imam al-Bayhaqi. In it, he explains the essential virtues that reflect true faith (iman) through related Qura'anic verses and Prophetic sayings.

These 77 branches are some of the essential actions that a true believer should have or strive towards having.
Complete Iman in reality consists of three components: firstly, confirmation by heart of all the essentials of Iman, secondly, confirmation of word of mouth; and thirdly, confirmation by our physical actions.

Thus, the [77] branches of Iman are divided into three categories, the first of which concern the intention, belief and action of the heart, the second concern the use of the tongue, and the third concern all the remaining parts of the body. All the things of Iman are included in these three categories.

Three categories of Iman


30 Qualities are Connected to the Heart

1. Belief in Allah (swt)
2. To believe that everything other than Allah was non-existent. Thereafter, Allah Most High created these things and subsequently they came into existence.
3. To believe in the existence of angels.
4. To believe that all the heavenly books that were sent to the different prophets are true. However, apart from the Qur'an, all other books are not valid anymore.
5. To believe that all the prophets are true. However, we are commanded to follow the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) alone.
6. To believe that Allah Most High as knowledge of everything from before-hand and that only that which He sanctions or wishes will occur.
7. To believe that Resurrection will definitely occur.
8. To believe in the existence of Heaven.
9. To believe in the existence of Hell.
10. To have love for Allah Most High.
11. To have love for the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
12. To love or hate someone solely because of Allah.
13. To execute all actions with the intention of religion alone.
14. To regret and express remorse when a sin is committed.
15. To fear Allah Most High.
16. To hope for the mercy of Allah Most High.
17. To be modest.
18.To express gratitude over a bounty or favour.
19. To fulfill promises.
20. To exercise patience.
21. To consider yourself lower than others.
22. To have mercy on the creation.
23. To be pleased with whatever you experience from Allah Most High.
24. To place your trust in Allah Most High.
25. Not to boast or brag over any quality that you posses.
26. Not to have malice or hatred towards anybody.
27. Not to be envious of anyone.
28. Not to become angry.
29. Not to wish harm for anyone.
30. Not to have love for the world.



7 Qualities are Connected to the Tongue
31. To recite the testimony of faith (kalimah) with the tongue.
32. To recite the Qur'an.
33. To acquire knowledge.
34. To pass on Knowledge.
35. To make du'a.
36. To make the zikr of Allah Most High.
37. To abstain from the following: lies, backbiting, vulgar words, cursing, singing that is contrary to the Shariah.

40 Qualities are Connected to the Entire Body
38. To make wudu, ghusl, and keep one's clothing clean.
39. To be steadfast in offering salat.
40. To pay zakat and sadaqatul fitr.
41. To fast.
42. To perform the Hajj.
43. To make i'tikaf.
44. To move away or migrate from that place which is harmful for one's deen.
45. To fulfill the vows that have been made to Allah (swt).
46. To fulfill the oaths that are not sinful.
47. To pay the kaffarah for unfulfilled oaths.
48. To cover those parts of the body that are fard to cover.
49. To perform the ritual slaughter.
50. To enshroud and bury the deceased.
51. To fulfill your debts.
52. To abstain from prohibited things when undertaking monetary transactions.
53. Not to conceal something true which you may have witnessed.
54. To get married when the nafs desires to do so.
55. To fulfill the rights of those who are under you.
56. To provide comfort to one's parents.
57. To rear children in the proper manner.
58. Not to sever relations with one's friends and relatives.
59. To obey one's master.
60. To be just.
61. Not to initiate any way that is contrary to that of the generality of the Muslims.
62.. To obey the ruler, provided what he orders is not contrary to the Shariah.
63. To make peace between two warring groups or individuals.
64. To assist in noble tasks.
65. To command the good and prohibit the evil.
66. If it is the government. it should mete out punishments according to the Shariah.
67. To fight the enemies of deen whenever such an occasion presents itself.
68. To fulfill one's trusts (amana).
69. To give loans to those who are in need.
70. To see to the needs of one's neighbour.
71. To ensure that one's income is pure.
72. To spend according to the Shariah.
73. To reply to one who has greeted you.
74. To say Yarhamukallah (˜Allah have mercy on you) when anyone says Alhamdulillah (˜All praise is for Allah) after sneezing.
75. Not to cause harm to anyone unjustly.
76. To abstain from games and amusements contrary to the Shariah.
77. To remove pebbles, stones, thorns, sticks, and the like from the road.