WHAT IS IMAAN, ISLAM AND IHSAAN ?

                 WHAT IS  IMAAN, ISLAM AND IHSAAN ?

There are three primary sources of our knowledge, as follows. 

Messengers of Allah (SWT) convey and teach people what is sent to them from Allah (SWT).

It is in Quran, O’ Prophet – SAWS convey and teach people what is sent down to you’ (Al-Ma’ida - 67).

Acting upon the commandments of Allah (SWT) they show to the people the operational and practical side of the religion by elucidating details of Islamic deeds.

It is in Quran - ‘ The Apostle Mohammad – SAWS is an exemplary model for - all of you’ . (Al-Ahzab -21)

Prophets cleanse, purify and reform people from their personal attention.

It is in Quran -

‘Certainly Allah –SWT has done a favor on the believers when He sent to them an Apostle – SAWS, from among them, who reads them the divine verses and who purifies them and who teaches them the book and wisdom’ (Aal-e-Imran – 164).

‘He is the Lord, who has sent to the unlettered people, from among them, an Apostle, who reads to them divine verses and cleanse them and teaches them the book and wisdom’. ( Al-Jum’a – 2 ).

‘ O’our Lord send an Apostle from among them from whom they could hear your book, who would teach them from the divine book and wisdom and purify their hearts’. ( Al-Baqra – 129). 

(This was the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) while re-building Kaba’a; which Allah (SWT) fulfilled by sending Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) as the seal of Prophets.)

From the above, it is clear that Prophets’ undertake the following tasks.

They read out to people and teach what is sent down to them from Allah (SWT). This is Quran.

Becoming a practical example they educate people how to carryout Allah’s (SWT) commandments.  This is Hadith.

They cleanse and purify people’s hearts by their personal attention and training. This is Purification of Hearts (tazkia Nafs).

What is cleansing and purification of hearts ( tazkia nafs )?

It is turning people’s attention away from the darkness of materialism to the light of Islam.

What is light of Islam?

It is people’s training in 

(i) sincerity of heart (Ikhlas), 

(ii) wisdom (Hikmah) of actions, and 

(iii) Islamic vision.

What is Islamic vision?

As per the Hadith of Ihsan, (Bukhari wo Muslim) people are commanded to see Allah (SWT) while doing Obligatory Salah.

Can anyone visualize Allah’s (SWT) presence when his heart is covered with materialistic darkness?

No, you need Islamic light.  Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) trained his companions to see in Islamic light.

Once you get Islamic vision you become stead fast in faith and deeds and never lose the straight path of Islam.

What is Ihsaan?

As per the Hadith of Ihsan, we are required to see Allah (SWT) while doing obligatory Salah.  It was Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) practice of Praying.

He also taught us to see and refrained us from arguing in the meaning of religions vision.

It was Prophet Mohammad’s (SAWS) training which helped his companions to acquire Islamic vision with which they visualized Allah’s (SWT) presence every where every moment.

It is in Quran –

‘(He is) Existing everywhere every moment’.

‘Wherever you are, He is with you’ (Al-Hadid– 4).

‘You turn your face anywhere, you will find Allah-SWT’. ( Al-Baqra – 115 ).

‘Allah is the light (existence) of the Heavens and Earth’. (An-Noor -35).

‘We (Allah-SWT) are closer to you than your jugular vein’. (Qaf – 16).At another place in Quran – ‘He is in your own self, will you not then see’. (Az-Zariyat – 21).

Among Prophet Mohammad’s (SAWS) companions, some acquired proficiency in Quran teaching and reciting, like Hazrat Othman (ru) and Hazrat Abbas (ru).   Some acquired proficiency in the subject of Hadith, like Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) and Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (ru).  Some became prominent in cleansing and purification of people’s hearts, like Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (ru) and Hazrat Ali (ru).

In the light of Hadith of Ihsan, Muslims can be categorized as:

People of Iman – those who are good at faith but not good at Islamic deeds.

People of Islam – those who are good at Islamic deeds but not good in Islamic faith.

People of Ihsan – those who are good both in Islamic faith and deeds.

Who are Sheikhs of Ihsan?

They are friends of Allah (SWT).

It is in Quran - ‘Behold the friends of Allah –SWT! On them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve. These are they, who have believed in Allah –SWT and are mindful of Him (the feeling of closeness of Allah –SWT) and (have consequently abstained from everything evil). To them tidings come (from Allah-SWT) of a happy life both in this world and in Hereafter. The Word of Allah –SWT is never revoked. This in itself is a great felicity’ (Younus – 62- 64).

It is in Quran - ‘Allah –SWT is the guardian of those who believe (in Him). He brings them out of darkness into light’. (Al-Baqarah – 257).

What is darkness?

Our excessive attention towards materialistic comforts.

What is light?

It is Islamic vision.

Teaching is different from training.  By teaching we increase people's knowledge.  But training we develop their skills.  Therefore, in addition to teaching of Quran and Sunnah; cleansing and purifying hearts of the people is important for every Muslim.  This insulates us from major sins, enlightens our hearts and exposes us to the truth of Islam.

It is in Quran - 

“Allah (SWT) loves those who practice Ihsan.” (Al-Baqarah 2:195; Aal-e-Imraan 3:134, 148; Al-Ma'idah 5:13, 93)

“We have enjoined on man to behave with his parents with Ihsan.” (Al-Ahqaf 46:15)

“Those who spend (in the way of Allah-SWT) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress their anger and who forgives people; and Allah(SWT) loves Muhsineen (those who practice Ihsan).” (Aal-e- Imran 3:134)

“So, forgive them and overlook (their offensive behaviour), verily, Allah (SWT) loves Muhsineen.” (Al-Ma'idah 5:13)

“Indeed, who maintains Taqwa and remains patient and steadfast, Allah (SWT) does not let those who practice Ihsan lose their reward.” (Yousuf 12:90)

 “Verily, Allah (SWT) does not let the Muhsineen (who practice Ihsaan) lose their reward.” (At-Towbah 9:120, Hood 11:115, Yousuf 12:56, 12:90)

“We do not let the reward of one who performs in the most excellent manner be lost.” (Al-Kahf 18:30)

“Allah (SWT) is with those who have Taqwa and practice Ihsan.” (An-Nahl 16:128)

  “Allah’s (SWT) Mercy is near those who practice Ihsan.” (Al-A’raaf 7:56)

“Yes indeed, who turns his face submissively toward Allah (SWT) and he practices excellently, his reward is with his Lord.” (Al-Baqarah 2:112)

“Is the reward for excellence other than excellent.” (Ar-Rahmaan 55:60)

“To reward those who do their best with what is the best.” (An-Najm 53:31)

“For those who perform excellently is the best (reward) and even more.”(Yunus 10:26)

“Who can be better in deen than him who turns to Allah (SWT) in submission and practices Ihsan.” (An-Nisaa 4:125)

“And Practice Ihsan, Allah (SWT) loves those who practice Ihsan.” (Al-Baqarah 2:195)

It is in Hadith - the Prophet (SAWS) once asked him companions -  “Should I guide you to the qualities, because of which, Allah (SWT) raises people’s ranks?” The companions said yes.  Then the Prophet (SAWS)  said, “Be patient (forbearing) with him who treats you ignorantly; forgive him who is unfair to you; give him who deprives you; and, fulfill social obligations to the relative who is delinquent in doing his part.” (Reported from ‘Ubadah Ibn Samit in Targheeb and Tarheeb - reference  At-Tabarani)

It is in Hadith -  The Prophet (SAWS) said, “My Lord has commanded me nine qualities (as follows)  -

(i) Fearing Allah (SWT) both secretly and openly; 

(ii) Saying only the words of justice both when angry and when happy;

 (iii) Maintaining moderation both during poverty and affluence;

(iv)  Making up (social obligations and relationships) with a relative who shirks his obligation to me or breaks away from me;

(v) Giving even to the person who deprives me; 

(vi) Forgiving him who is unjust to me; 

(vii) Reflecting when I am quiet; remembering Allah (SWT) when I speak; and, learning lessons from what I see;

(viii) Enjoining good; and, (ix) Forbidding evil.”

(Reported by Abu Hurairah in Mishkaatul Masabih).

Balanced food and regular physical exercise is required to keep our body fit. Similarly, we need to balance our religious life with performance of daily obligatory prayers and keep all evil desires at bay.

Shaikhs’ of Ihsan teach you how to keep our desires at bay. This routine will make our soul (Rooh) stronger with which we become strong in both in Islamic belief and deeds.

Look at the strength of the belief of Prophet’s (SAWS) companions. Why they were like that? Because they were trained by Prophet Mohammad (SAWS).

When this training and daily routine became scarce and diluted, true faith slipped away from Muslims resulting in their steep downfall in the world.

It is in Quran – ‘Hold on firmly to the rope of Allah and do not allow differences to occur among yourself ’. (Aale-Imran – 103).

It is in Quran ‘ These are those who ripped their religion and divided themselves into sects. Allah (SWT) has nothing to do with them. Their matter is with Allah (SWT) and then He will point out to them what (exactly) they were doing (in the World).’ (Al-Ana’am – 159).

Imagine, if we ban physical exercise from a country, what will happen to its citizens. They all will fall sick and soon die of various ailments. Something similar has happened to Muslims.  Their souls are critically sick and they have lost track of the straight path. We need to do something about it soon so that we get back to the right path of Islam and acquire both, inner strength of religion, and outer strength, for peaceful living in this world.

O’our Lord ! call us not, to account, if we have forgotten or have fallen into error.

Our Lord ! Lay not on us a burden (of responsibilities) such as you have laid on those gone before us. Our Lord ! Lay not on us that which we cannot bear, and overlook our faults; and forgive us; and have mercy on us. You are our protector; help us then against the unbelievers.’ (Al-Baqara – 286).

O’our Lord give us good in this world, and good in the world to follow, and protect us from the punishment of Fire’. ( Al-Baqarah – 201).