The Book of Faith

كتاب الإيمان

Chapter 14: 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

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that 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 the branch of faith.

Salim reported on the authority of his father that the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) heard a man censuring his brother regarding modesty. Upon this the Prophet remarked

Modesty is part of Iman (faith).

Zuhri has narrated this hadith with the addition of these words

He (the Holy Prophet) happened to pass by a mass of Ansar who was instructing his brother (about modesty).

It is narrated on the authority of 'Imran b. Husain that the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said

Modesty brings forth nothing but goodness. Bushair b. Ka'b said: It is recorded in the books of wisdom, there lies sobriety in it and calmness of mind in it, Imran said: I am narrating to you the tradition of the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) and you talk of your books.

It is narrated on the authority of Qatada. We were sitting with 'Imran b. Husain in a company and Bushair ibn Ka'b was also amongst us. 'Imran narrated to us that on a certain occasion the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) said

Modesty is a virtue through and through, or said: Modesty is a goodness complete. Upon this Bushair ibn Ka'b said: Verily we find in certain books or books of (wisdom) that it is God-inspired peace of mind or sobriety for the sake of Allah and there is also a weakness in it. Imran was so much enraged that his eyes became red and he said: I am narrating to you the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and you are contradicting it. He (the narrator) said: Imran reported the hadith, He (the narrator) said: Bushair repeated, (the same thing). Imran was enraged. He (the narrator) said: We asserted: Verily Bushair is one amongst us. Abu Nujaid! There is nothing wrong, with him (Bushair).

Ishaq b. Ibrahim narrates this hadith of the Prophet on the authority of Imran b. Husain, like the one narrated by Hammad b. Zaid.

Chapter 15: A phrase that sums up Islam

It is narrated on the authority of Sufyan b. 'Abdulla al-Thaqafi that he said

I asked the Messenger of Allah to tell me about Islam a thing which might dispense with the necessity of my asking anybody after you. In the hadith of Abu Usama the (words) are: other than you. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: Say I affirm my faith in Allah and then remain steadfast to it.

Chapter 16: Clarifying the superiority of Islam, and what part of it is best

It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah b. 'Amr that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) which of the merits (is superior) in Islam. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked

That you provide food and extend greetings to one whom you know or do not know.

'Abdullah b. Amr b. al-As is reported to have said

Verily a person asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) who amongst the Muslims was better. Upon this (the Holy Prophet) remarked: From whose hand and tongue the Muslims are safe.

It is narrated on the authority of Jabir that he heard the (Holy Prophet) say

A Muslim is he from whose hand and tongue the Muslims are safe.

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Musa Ash'ari

I asked the Messenger of Allah which (attribute) of Islam is more excellent. Upon this he remarked: One in which the Muslims are safe, protected from the tongue and hand of (other Muslims).

Ibrahim b. Sa'id al-Jauhari has narrated this hadith with the same words in addition to these. The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) was asked as to who amongst the Muslims is better, and the rest of the hadith was narrated like this.

Chapter 17: Clarification of those characteristics which, if a person attains them, he will find the sweetness of faith

It is reported on the authority of Anas that the Prophet of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him ) said

There are three qualities for which anyone who is characterised by them will relish the sweetness of faith: he to whom Allah and His Messenger are dearer than all else; he who loves a man for Allah's sake alone; and he who has as great an abhorrence of returning to unbelief after Allah has rescued him from it as he has of being cast into Hell.

It is reported on the authority of Anas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

There are three qualities for which any one who is characterised by them will relish the savour of faith: that he loves man and he does not love him but for Allah's sake alone; he is to whom Allah and His Messenger are dearer than all else; he who prefers to be thrown into fire than to return to unbelief after Allah has rescued him out of it.

A similar hadith has been reported on the authority of Anas (with another chain of transmitters) with the exception of these words

that he again becomes a Jew or a Christian.

Chapter 18: The obligation to love the messenger of Allah (saws) more than one's family, son, father, and all other people; And mentions of an absolute absence of faith regarding one who does not love him with such love

It is reported on the authority of Anas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

No bondsman believes, and, in the hadith narrated by Abdul Warith, no person believes, till I am dearer to him than the members of his household, his wealth and the whole of mankind.

It is reported on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Messenger of Allah said

None of you is a believer until I am dearer to him than his child, his father, and the whole of mankind.

Chapter 19: The evidence that one of the attributes of faith is to love for one's brother muslim that one loves for oneself of goodness

It is narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed

"None amongst you believes (truly) until he loves for his brother" - or he said "for his neighbour" - "that which he loves for himself."

It is narrated on the authority of Anas that the Prophet (may peace blessings be upon him) observed

By Him in whose Hand is my life, no, bondsman (truly) believes till he likes for his neighbour, or he (the Holy Prophet) said: for his brother, whatever he likes for himself.

Chapter 20: Clarifying the prohibition of annoying one's neighbor

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessing be upon him) observed

He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.