IHSAN

The concept of Ihsan means that a Muslim is a responsible person and a person of quality where he does
things in a very good manner, in a complete sense, in a nice and tasteful way and is never satisfied with
anything other than a quality job in all that he/she does, motivated by realizing that Allah prescribed
Ihsan to everything and to all deeds. Ihsan: its to worship Allah as you are seeing Him and while you
see Him not yet truly He sees you. This is the Prophets definition of the term Ihsan, and it signifies
that a person, who is characterized with Ihsan, does everything perfectly as he sees his MASTER
watching him. Allah, Most High, says: Nay, whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of
(Ihsan) good he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (AlBaqarah: 112).
Ihsan then means striving to reach the best standards of performance in any circumstances or
situations. By going through the noble Quran and the noble tradition of the Prophet prophet Al Ihsan :
its 3 meanings in the Muslim Life, we can see that the word Al Ihsan refers to three different
meanings:trans Al Ihsan : its 3 meanings in the Muslim Life
Al Ihsan as supreme spiritual aspiration to worship Allah as if you saw Him*1+, as defined in the very
famous hadith of Jibril 3alayhi salam.
Al Ihsan as good behaviour, i.e. a social behaviour of kindness, kindness to parents, relatives,
neighbours, orphans, the poorest etc.

Beyond these three meanings, Al Ihsan is a complete way of life. It is a concept that accompanies the
individual in all his actions, whether they are of a purely spiritual nature (1st meaning), of a social and
relational kind (2nd meaning) or of a personal nature (3rd meaning).
Lets examine the following hadith closely: Al Ihsan : its 3 meanings in the Muslim Life
Allah has prescribed Al Ihsan in every matter. *3+
Here we are clearly invited to seek excellence in everything. Excellence in ones spiritual observances,
excellence in ones relationships with others (whether this other is Muslim or not, human or not,
animate or not) as well as excellence in ones relationship with oneself.
When one decides to appropriate for oneself this notion of Ihsan by incorporating it into ones value
system, it becomes easy to understand that it is a way of life that can take different forms, in other
words, the quest for excellence has a single purpose that is applicable to all areas of life.
Allah commands justice, (Ihsan) the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all
shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition. (AnNahl: 90). Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do (Ihsan) good to parents, kinsfolk,
orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your
side, the way-farer (you meet) and what your right hands possess: for Allah loves not the arrogant, the
vainglorious. (An-Nisa: 36). There are three important concepts of Islam: Islam, Iman and Ihsan.

Ihsan is one of the most important principles of Islam. The Quran has more than 66 verses on this
subject. Actually the whole Quran guides to Ihsan, which means doing everything in an excellent
manner and it also means doing the acts of charity and kindness. In relations to parents, honor them, be
thankful to them and do your duties towards them. In relations to other relatives, recognize their rights,
be good to them and help them if they need help. In relations to people in society, who are weak, needy
and poor, be charitable and nice to them. In human relations in general, be good to others. Even those
with whom you disagree in matters of faith, present to them the message, but have no aggression
towards them: But because of their breach of their Covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts
grow hard: they change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the Message that
was sent them. You will not cease to find them - barring a few - ever bent on (new) deceits. Pardon
them, then, and overlook (their misdeeds): for Allah loves those who are kind. (Al-Maidah: 13). In
relations to the whole world including vegetables, animals and even inanimate things, do not waste, do
not misuse or abuse, and be thankful to Allah.

Do no mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in
your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good. (Al-A`raf: 56). The Prophet,
peace and blessings be upon him, said, Allah has prescribed that you do everything in an excellent and
nice manner. (Muslim, Hadith No.3615). Finally, Just do good, because Allah loves those who do good
things: But do good; for Allah loves those who do good. (Al-Baqarah: 195). The concept of Ihsan has
been understood differently by various Islamic scholars. For example, some scholars explain Ihsan as
being the inner-dimension of Islam whereas shariah is often described as the outer-dimension. Ihsan
is excellence in worship, work, and in social interactions. For example, ihsan includes sincerity during
Muslim prayers and being grateful to parents, family, and God.

On the authority of Omar, who said: One day while we were sitting with the messenger of Allah (Peace
Be Upon Him) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair
was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He
walked up and sat down by the prophet. Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands
on his thighs, he said:O Muhammed, tell me about Islam. The messenger of Allah said: Islam is to
testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammed is the messenger of Allah, to perform the prayers,
to pay the zakat, to fast in Ramadhan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.
He said:You have spoken rightly, and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had
spoken rightly. He said: Then tell me about eman.He said:It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His
books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil
thereof. He said:You have spoken rightly. He said: Then tell me about ehsan. He said: It is to
worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you. He said:
Then tell me about the Hour. He said: The one questioned about it knows no better than the
questioner. He said: Then tell me about its signs. He said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her
mistress and that you will see the barefooted, naked, destitute herdsman competing in constructing
lofty buildings. Then he took himself off and I stayed for a time. Then he said: O Omar, do you know
who the questioner was? I said: Allah and His messenger know best. He said: He was Jebreel
(Gabriel), who came to you to teach you your religion. (Sahih Mslim)

The concept of Ihsan has been understood differently by various Islamic scholars. For example, some
scholars explain Ihsan as being the inner-dimension of Islam whereas shariah is often described as the
outer-dimension. Ihsan is excellence in worship, work, and in social interactions. For example, ihsan
includes sincerity during Muslim prayers and being grateful to parents, family, and God. By living
according to the concept of Ihsan and by applying it to all that a Muslim does, he/she will be rewarded
and showered with mercy and forgiveness from Allah the Almighty. Furthermore, by doing that, a
Muslim will ensure that he/she will pass the test and be amongst those of the best conduct.