Sahih Muslim — Hadith 54
Narrated by Abu Hurairah
الإِيمَانُ بِضْعٌ وَسَبْعُونَ أَوْ بِضْعٌ وَسِتُّونَ شُعْبَةً فَأَفْضَلُهَا قَوْلُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَدْنَاهَا إِمَاطَةُ الأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ وَالْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ
Translation
The Prophet said: 'Faith has over seventy branches. The highest is the declaration that there is no god but Allah, the lowest is removing something harmful from the road, and modesty is a branch of faith.'
Commentary
This hadith presents faith as a spectrum of actions ranging from the most profound theological declaration to the simplest act of civic responsibility. By including 'removing something harmful from the road,' it demonstrates that even small acts of public service are expressions of faith. Modesty (haya) is specifically highlighted as integral to belief.