The Seventy-Seven Branches of Faith

Description

"The Seventy-Seven Branches of Faith" by Imam al-Bayhaqi is a renowned classical work that outlines the essential aspects of Islamic belief and practice, derived from the famous hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Iman (faith) has over seventy branches, the highest of which is the declaration that there is no god but Allah, and the lowest of which is removing something harmful from the road.” In this book, al-Bayhaqi categorizes faith into three main components: beliefs of the heart, actions of the limbs, and statements of the tongue. The seventy-seven branches are divided into various categories such as proper Islamic creed, worship, ethics, social responsibility, and spiritual conduct. Al-Bayhaqi’s goal is to help Muslims understand that faith is not just belief, but a comprehensive way of life that encompasses outward deeds and inward intentions. The work serves as both a theological and moral guide, encouraging believers to cultivate all aspects of iman to attain true righteousness. Revered for its spiritual depth and educational clarity, the book remains widely studied in traditional Islamic learning circles.