Ihsan in Islam

Ihsan in Islam is perfecting a Muslim’s work and making an effort to do it to the fullest.

In Islam, Ihsan is considered a high rank of the three levels of religion, after Islam and faith. It means worshiping Allah as if you see Him; if you do not see Him, He sees you. It was reported in the Sunnah that the Prophet Muhammad, peace is upon him, said about the definition of Ihsan: “You worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, He sees you.” Narrated by Muslim and Ibn Majah.

And it was mentioned in the Qur’an, the words of Allah Almighty:﴿ Allah commands justice, Ihsan, and giving up to the kinship, and forbids the obscenity, and the goodness.

That is, Allah commands His servants to be just and fair in His right by unifying Him and not associating partners with Him, and in the ownership of His servants to give everyone who has a right his righteousness. He commands us to be kind in His right by worshiping Him, performing His obligations lawfully, and to creation in words and deeds.

He commands to give relatives what is in their relationship and their righteousness. And he forbids everything objectionable in word or deed, and what the Shari’a denies and disapproves of, such as unbelief and disobedience, and from oppressing people and transgressing them, and Allah – with this command and this prohibition – admonishes you and reminds you of the consequences; To remember Allah’s commands and Tantvawa them.

Likewise, the Almighty said: “Is the reward of goodness but goodness ۝” Surat Al-Rahman, meaning, is the reward for the one who does his best in this world but kindness to him with Paradise in the Hereafter?

And the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Allah has decreed goodness for everything.”

Definition of Ihsan in Islam

• Ihsan in worshipping the Creator: to worship Allah as if he sees Him, and if He does not see Him, then Allah sees Him. It is the seriousness in carrying out the rights of Allah in the face of advice and complementing them.
• Ihsan in the rights of creation: … is to give all benefits of any kind to any creature. Still, it varies according to the difference between the benefactor, their right and their position, the benevolence, the greatness of their position, the excellence of its benefit, and according to the faith and sincerity of the benefactor and the reason that calls for that.)

Al-Ragheb Al-Isfahani said: (Ihsan is in two ways: one of them is giving favor to others, and the second: goodness in doing it, and that is if he knows good knowledge or does a good deed).

Differentiate between Ihsan and other similar attributes

The difference between Ihsan and Ifadl

(That Ihsan: benefit.

And al-Fadil: the benefit that exceeds the tiniest amount, and Ihsan is singled out for virtue, and the like of that is not required in the increase. Because the course of the dominant characteristic has taken place)

The difference between Ihsan and grace

(Benevolence may be obligatory and not obligatory. And grace is not mandatory for anyone, but rather it is what is bestowed upon without a reason that compels it)

The difference between Al-Ihsan and Al-An’am

(Being good is for the human being and others, she says: I have done well to myself. And benevolence is only for others).

Allah commands Ihsan 

• The said in Surah An-Nahl:

Allah enjoins justice and goodness and giving to kin and forbids indecency and evil.

Al-Saadi said: (Ihsan is a desirable virtue, and that is like benefiting people with money, body, knowledge, and other types of benefit, to the extent that benevolence is included in it to an animal that is eaten and others)

• Allah said in Surah Al-Baqarah:

﴿وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لاَ تَعْبُدُونَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً وَأَقِيمُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتُواْ الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مِّعْرِضُونَ﴾

Meaning: (Be kind to the parents, and this applies to every kind that I say and do of what is kindness to them, and it is forbidden to offend the parents, or not to be kind and to offend; Ihsan without offense, and this is prohibited, but it should not be attached to the first, and the same is said in the relationship of relatives, orphans, and the needy, and the details of Ihsan are not limited to counting, but rather to the limit. Enjoining them with good, forbidding them from evil, teaching them knowledge, giving peace, cheerfulness, and other good speech. The ugly address of the people, even of the infidels.

• And they said: And what Allah has brought you the last house, and do not forget your share of this world, and I do well, as Allah is suitable to you, and do not want the Lord.

• Al-Shawkani said, explaining his saying: (And do good as Allah has done well to you):

• The Almighty said: “Indeed, the mercy of Allah is close to the doers of good.” ~ [Al-A’raf: 56]

The grace of Ihsan in Islam

Islam took care of Ihsan and exalted its stature. Glory be to Him, praised His bounty and told in His Glorious Book that He loves the doers of good and that He is with them, sufficient in virtue and honor.

• Allah Almighty said (in Surat Al-Baqarah): “And spend in the way of Allah, and do not cast yourself into destruction, and do good.” Allah is the Creator.
• And the Almighty said (in the family of Imran): “Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the hereafter, and Allah loves the doers of good.”
• And the Almighty said (in Surah An-Nahl): “Allah is with those who are righteous, and those who do good.”
• And His Majesty said (in Surat Al-Ankabut): “And those who strive for Us, We will surely guide them to Our ways, and Allah is with the doers of good.”

Reward for Ihsan in Islam

Allah Almighty said in Surat Al-Rahman: “Is the reward of goodness but goodness, ۝” and Allah Almighty made it clear to His servants in this verse that an enslaved person should reciprocate every goodness with kindness, even though the difference is significant between goodness and compassion, so what is equivalent to a drop of goodness from an enslaved person with a sea of ​​goodness And the grace and channels of giving are from his Lord, and indeed, the enslaved person’s goodness to his Lord is only from his kindness to his slave and his kindness to him, and that is because he guided him to this, so he is the kind benefactor.

Ihsan is one of the best and highest levels of servitude, as it can be considered its core, soul and foundation, which is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, He sees you.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: (Allah has decreed kindness for everything, so if you kill, do good killers, and if you slaughter, do good slaughter) as it was mentioned in the authentic hadith: “A prostitute saw a dog on a hot day going around a well, whose tongue fell out of thirst, so she pulled it out with her belt, and he forgave him.” to her ). Ihsan surrounds the whole of life in the slave’s relations with his Lord, his family, the community, his relationship with humanity in general, and even his relationship with all creatures.

All the laws of dealing refer to Ihsan, and it came in the virtue of Ihsan that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, read the verse: {For those who do good, goodness is a burden} and said:

(If the people of Paradise enter Paradise, and the people of Hellfire, a caller will call out: O people of Paradise, you have a promise with Allah that He wants to fulfill for you, so they say: What is it? Did He not make our scales heavy, whiten our faces, enter Paradise, and remove us from Hell? He said: He will reveal to them the veil They look at him, and Allah did not give them something that I love to look at them and to acknowledge their eyes),﴿

And he faces a frequent day ۝ to her Lord a view ۝ ﴾. He announced his love for his good and the one who said: People and Allah loves the doers of interest ۝) and Allah Almighty told that His mercy is close to the doers of good. He said: “Do not make mischief on the earth after it has been reformed and call upon the righteous. He assured the doers of good that their benevolence is preserved, their deeds are commendable, and their acts are justified, and the Highest said: And be patient, for Allah does not waste the reward of the doers of good.

وَلَكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنْكُمْ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ۝ ﴾ ، كما أن الله تعالى أعطى على الإحسان ما لم يعط على غيره فقال تعالى ﴿ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَى وَزِيَادَةٌ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ۝ ﴾ .

Al Ihsan Examples

Images of Ihsan, in general terms, include benevolence in worship, benevolence in dealings, benevolence to animals, and benevolence in physical actions. Its conditions and pillars and the fulfillment of its Sunnahs and etiquette, and this do not happen to the servant unless he has a strong feeling of observing Allah Almighty,

even as if he sees Him, the Highest, and sees Him, or at least feels that Allah Almighty is watching over him, and looking at Him. In the required manner, and this is what the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed in his saying ((Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then He sees you)).

And in the chapter on transactions is for the parents by honoring them with kindness, obeying them in not disobeying Allah, delivering good to them, stopping harm from them, praying and asking forgiveness for them, enforcing their covenant, and honoring their friend.

It is for the relatives with their kindness, mercy and compassion for them, doing what is OK with them, and leaving what offends them.

It is for orphans by preserving their money, safeguarding their rights, disciplining and raising them kindly, and wiping their heads.

It is for the poor by satisfying their hunger, covering their nakedness, not despising and contemptuous of them, not harming them badly, and bringing benefit to them as much as he can, and it is for the son of the way by satisfying his need, filling his family, taking care of his money, preserving his dignity, guiding him if he is headed, and guiding him if he goes astray.

And it is for the servant by giving him his wages before his sweat dries up, and by not obligating him to do what he does not need, or assigning him what he cannot bear, preserving his dignity, and respecting his personality.

It is for the familiar people to be kind to them, complimenting them in dealing with them, guiding the misguided, educating their ignorant, acknowledging their rights, conveying benefits to them, and refraining from harming them.

And it is for the animal by feeding it if it is hungry, treating it if it is sick, not assigning it what it cannot bear, making it what it cannot afford, being kind to it if it works, and resting it if it is tired. And it is in the physical works by mastering the work, perfecting the craft, and ridding the other results of cheating.

Ihsan in the worship of Allah

And goodness in worshipping Allah has one cornerstone that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, explained by saying: ((that you worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, He sees you)).

So the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, told that the rank of goodness is of two degrees and that the doers of good in goodness are of two different degrees, the first level: It is ((that you worship Allah as if you see Him)). The second degree: to worship Allah as if he sees you, and the meaning is if you cannot worship Allah as if you see Him and see Him with the eyes of the eye, then go down to the second stage, which is to worship Allah as if He sees you. The first is the worship of desire and greed, and the second is the worship of fear and dread.

Ihsan to parents

جاءت نصوص كثيرة تحثُّ على حقوق الوالدين وبرِّهما والإحْسَان إليهما قال تعالى:﴿ وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ۝ وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُلْ رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا They brought me up small ۝ ( . قال القرطبي فأحقُّ النَّاس بعد الخالق المنَّان بالشُّكر والإحْسَان والتزام البرِّ والطَّاعة له والإذعان مَن قرن الله الإحْسَان إليه بعبادته وطاعته، وشكره بشكره، وهما الوالدان، فقال تعالى: ﴿ وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَى وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ ۝ The Collector of the provisions of the Qur’an (5/183).

Ihsan to the neighbor

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ((He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him do good to his neighbor, and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest, and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent)). Narrated by Muslim

He honors his neighbor by being kind to him, refraining from harming him, bearing what comes from him, being human in his face, and other aspects of honor.

Ihsan to orphans and the needy

﴿ وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرائيلَ لا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً مِنْكُمْ And you are on the verge of disobedience ۝) (Being kind to them, being kind to them, ensuring their livelihood and safeguarding their future are among the purest kindnesses. head the orphan and feed the poor)) Narrated by Ahmad.

Islam is a rich and deeply meaningful way of life, with core principles that guide not only actions but also the intentions behind them. Among these principles, Ihsan holds a special place. It’s a term that signifies excellence, sincerity, and beauty in worship and in life. Ihsan goes beyond merely following rules—it emphasizes doing everything with a deep consciousness of God’s presence, whether in acts of worship or in daily interactions.

In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of Ihsan, its significance in Islam, and how it can be applied in our lives to strengthen our relationship with Allah and improve our character.

What Does Ihsan Mean?

In Arabic, the word Ihsan comes from the root hasuna, meaning “to be beautiful” or “to do good.” It represents the highest level of faith, where a person does good deeds with the awareness that Allah is watching, even though they cannot see Him.

The concept of Ihsan is most famously described in the Hadith of Jibril, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained Ihsan as “to worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then indeed He sees you.” This hadith teaches that Ihsan is about cultivating a profound awareness of God in all that we do.

The Three Levels of Faith: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan

Islamic scholars often describe three levels of faith: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan.

1. Islam refers to outward submission through actions, such as praying, fasting, and giving charity.
2. Iman refers to the internal belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Day of Judgment, and divine destiny.
3. Ihsan is the highest level, where a person’s actions and beliefs are accompanied by a deep consciousness of God’s presence, turning worship into an act of beauty and sincerity.

By understanding these three levels, we see how Ihsan is not a separate concept but the culmination of a journey of faith.

Ihsan in Worship

Worship in Islam isn’t just about performing certain rituals; it’s about the state of the heart during these acts. When we pray, fast, or give charity, Ihsan encourages us to do so with sincerity and excellence. For example, rather than rushing through prayers, Ihsan teaches us to perform them with full attention, humility, and love for Allah.

Ihsan in worship means not just fulfilling the obligation but striving to do it in the best possible way, as if you are standing in front of Allah Himself.

Ihsan in Daily Life

Ihsan is not limited to acts of worship; it applies to every aspect of life. It is about treating others with kindness, fairness, and respect, doing our jobs with honesty and dedication, and maintaining high ethical standards in our personal and professional lives.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Allah has prescribed Ihsan in everything.” This means that whether you are a student, a parent, a worker, or a neighbor, you should always strive to do your best with sincerity and excellence. For instance, when helping someone in need, doing it with a genuine heart and without expecting anything in return reflects the spirit of Ihsan.

Ihsan in Relationships

In relationships, Ihsan plays a key role in building strong and healthy bonds. Whether it’s with family, friends, or colleagues, treating people with respect, compassion, and understanding is a reflection of Ihsan. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified Ihsan in his relationships by showing patience, kindness, and forgiveness even in difficult situations.

In a family setting, for example, Ihsan means being patient with your children, treating your spouse with love and care, and honoring your parents. It involves going the extra mile to ensure that your relationships are based on respect, sincerity, and kindness.

Ihsan and Social Justice

Ihsan is also deeply connected to justice and fairness. In Islam, justice is a core principle, but Ihsan takes it a step further by encouraging us to go beyond just being fair—to be generous and kind even when it is not required.

For example, if someone wrongs you, justice might mean seeking reparation or fairness. But Ihsan means forgiving them, letting go of the anger, and responding with kindness. It is about creating a society where people treat each other with compassion and empathy, even in challenging situations.

The Role of Ihsan in Personal Growth

Ihsan encourages continuous self-improvement. It pushes believers to reflect on their intentions and actions, aiming to better themselves spiritually, emotionally, and ethically. Whether it’s through worship, personal habits, or interactions with others, Ihsan is about striving for excellence without expecting perfection.

This path of Ihsan requires humility, self-discipline, and constant reflection. It’s about seeking Allah’s pleasure through every action, whether big or small, and continuously working to purify the heart from pride, greed, and other negative traits.

Ihsan as a Source of Inner Peace

One of the beautiful outcomes of living with Ihsan is the sense of inner peace and contentment it brings. When you perform every action with the awareness of Allah’s presence, you naturally develop a greater sense of purpose and tranquility. This awareness reduces stress and anxiety because you understand that you are doing your best and that Allah is aware of your efforts.

Moreover, practicing Ihsan helps you let go of worldly attachments and focus on what truly matters—your relationship with Allah and your contribution to the well-being of others.

How to Cultivate Ihsan in Your Life

Cultivating Ihsan is a lifelong journey. Here are some practical ways to incorporate Ihsan into your daily life:

1. Mindfulness in Worship: Focus on your prayers and other acts of worship by clearing your mind and being present in the moment.
2. Sincerity in Intentions: Always check your intentions before any action. Ensure that what you are doing is for the sake of Allah.
3. Kindness in Interactions: Treat everyone with kindness, even when it’s difficult. Remember that Allah sees your efforts.
4. Excellence in Work: Whether it’s your job, studies, or household responsibilities, do them with excellence, knowing that Allah appreciates sincerity and effort.
5. Forgiveness and Patience: Practice patience and forgiveness in your relationships, striving to show the same mercy that you would want from Allah.

The Impact of Ihsan on Society

When Ihsan is practiced on a societal level, it can transform communities. Imagine a society where everyone treats each other with kindness, compassion, and fairness, where people go out of their way to help others, and where justice is tempered with mercy. Such a society would be marked by peace, harmony, and mutual respect.

The principles of Ihsan encourage us to be better individuals, which in turn creates a more just and compassionate world. Whether through charity, social work, or simply treating others with dignity, the practice of Ihsan has the potential to change lives and communities for the better.

Conclusion: Ihsan as the Heart of Islamic Life

Ihsan is the soul of Islam. It is about living with a constant awareness of Allah’s presence and striving to reflect His beauty in every action, thought, and intention. By embracing Ihsan, Muslims not only improve their own spiritual lives but also contribute to a more compassionate and just society.

In a world often focused on material success, Ihsan reminds us of the importance of sincerity, humility, and striving for spiritual excellence. It’s not about perfection, but about the continuous effort to be better for the sake of Allah.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ihsan in Islam

1. What is the difference between Islam, Iman, and Ihsan?
   • Islam refers to outward practices like prayer, Iman to belief in core tenets of faith, and Ihsan to performing actions with the awareness of Allah’s presence.
2. How can I practice Ihsan in my daily life?
   • You can practice Ihsan by being mindful in your worship, treating others with kindness, and doing your work with sincerity and excellence.
3. Why is Ihsan important in Islam?
   • Ihsan is important because it elevates all actions, making them acts of worship and sincerity, and bringing a person closer to Allah.
4. Is Ihsan only related to worship?
   • No, Ihsan applies to all aspects of life, including relationships, work, and even how we treat the environment and animals.
5. Can Ihsan bring inner peace?
   • Yes, living with Ihsan brings inner peace because it aligns your actions with a higher purpose, helping you live with integrity and contentment.
6. How does Ihsan affect social justice?
   • Ihsan promotes not only fairness but also kindness and generosity, encouraging people to go beyond what is just and create a compassionate society.