The Branches of Iman

The Branches of Iman is a translation of Mukhta?ar Shu?bul Iman by Imam Qazwini. It is an abridgement of the Branches of Iman by Imam Bayhaqi which in reality is a commentary of a single ?adith of Rasulullah ? in which he taught that "Iman has sixty-odd, or seventy-odd branches, the highest and best of which is to declare that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, and the lowest of which is to remove something harmful from the path. And that modesty is a branch of Iman."Rasulullah ? captured and placed in the heart of his ummah the beauty of Iman. There are high branches and low branches. He mentioned three in the ?adith but indicated that there are many more.Imam Bayhaqi endeavoured to compile all the narrations related to Iman and its branches. This compilation reached six volumes and out of the grasp of the layman and more suited to the research scholars. Imam Qazwini abridged the original into the short treatise before you which is accessible to all.When a Muslim strives to become a true and complete Mu?min, then he must learn and recognise within himself the signs of Iman or the lack thereof. Allah Ta?ala and his Messenger ? has told us these signs so we can struggle and pray that he blesses us with a perfect faith before we die.Branches of Iman is also a presentation of the fundamental beliefs of Islam and can be utilised for teaching Aqida without resorting to historical polemical debates. Finally, Imam Qazwini masterfully quotes from the greatest ?ali?in of this ummah where required to show the spiritual significance of these branches.