is a branch of faith.” (1)
In the two Sahīh collections, Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked, “Which deed is best?” He replied, “Faith in Allah and His Messenger.” He was asked, “Then what?” He replied, “Jihad in the path of Allah.” He was asked, “Then what?” He replied, “An accepted Hajj.” (2)
In Sahīh Muslim, Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say, “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest level of faith.” (3)
It has been widely transmitted from the imams of Ahl al-Sunnah—such as Mālik ibn Anas, al-Awzāʿī, Ibn Jurayj, Sufyān al-Thawrī, Sufyān ibn ʿUyaynah, Wakīʿ ibn al-Jarrāh, and many others—