eDawah

Al-Ihsân

Ash-Shaikh Zaid Muhammad Al-Madkhalee

(حفظه اللّه) 

Q: What is Ihsân and what is its proof from the book and the sunnah?

A: Al-Ihsân, the prophet r explained it with his explicit statement, “that you worship Allâh as if you see Him, if you cannot see Him then He sees you” and this meaning of worshipping your Lord while you are aware of His greatness and closeness to you and his overlooking you in every state obligates fear (reverence) and glorification for your Lord, and at that moment you do not neglect obedience and do not commit sin glorifying Allâh and fearing Him the Lofty in His supremeness. The proof for Ihsân is His statement the Mighty and Sublime: وَأَحْسِنُوَاْ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ and do good. Truly, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers)[1] And His statement: إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ Truly, Allâh is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinûn (good-doers, - see the footnote of V.9:120)[2] And the statement of the prophet r: “Verily Allâh has written Ihsân upon everything” to the end of the Hadeeth.[3]  

Excerpt taken from:الأجوبة السديدة على الأسئلة الرشيدة  

Translated by:  Eesa John Starling

February 5, 2006