The Branches of Imaan

Recently I heard a statement I found very funny, “Do you think money grows on trees?” I suddenly remembered a time in my childhood when I asked my beloved mother for something extremely expensive to which she replied, “Do you think money grows on trees?!” I became extremely upset and set out to prove her wrong and so I waited for a sunny day and proceeded into my garden with my green plastic shovel that I got from Blackpool beach and a bag full of pennies. I spent many days watering them hoping that a tree would sprout out. I had envisaged myself jumping up and down underneath a tree that would have £50 under each branch. These memories made me think and Allah opened my eyes to the fact there is a tree which has an entity that is more valuable than money. The tree of Islam which consists of 77 Branches of Imaan. Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat (Allah have mercy upon him) mentions them in his Kitaab 'Furu’ ul Imaan':

The Messenger of Allah (May peace and blessings be upon him) said “There are over 70 branches of faith. The highest is to bear witness that ‘There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’. The lowest is the removal of harm from the road. Modesty is also of faith.” We will therefore mentions these qualities.

30 QUALITIES ARE CONNECTED TO THE HEART

1. Belief in Allah

2. To believe that everything other than Allah was non-existent. Thereafter, Allah Ta'ala created these things and subsequently they came into existence.

3. To believe in the existence of the Angels.

4. To believe that all the divine 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 (May peace and blessings be upon him) alone.

6. To believe that Allah Ta'ala as knowledge of everything from before hand and that only that which He sanctions or wishes will occur.

7. To believe that the 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 Ta'ala.

11. To have love for the Messenger of Allah (May Allah peace and blessings be upon him)

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 Ta'ala.

16. To hope for the mercy of Allah Ta'ala

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 Ta'ala.

24. To place your trust in Allah Ta'ala.

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 dua'a.

36. To make the zikr of Allah Ta'ala.

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 wudhu, ghusl, and keep one’s clothing clean.

39. To be steadfast in offering salaat.

40. To pay zakaat and sadaqatul fitr.

41. To fast.

42. To perform Hajj.

43. To make i’tikaaf.

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.

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 compulsory 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.

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' (May Allah have mercy upon you) when anyone says 'Alhamdulillah' (All praise be to 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.

May Allah Ta'ala give us the ability to grow this tree in our lives and may He pour enough Guidance over it for it to blossom. May the contents of these 77 branches drop into our lives with great impact. Ameen