The Status of Ihsaan

This Article will look at the status and importance of ihsaan

• Ihsaan is very important in Islam. This is clear from the Hadeeth of Jibreels. If someone does any act as if he/she sees Allah or while being aware that Allah ﷻ sees him/her, then he/she will do it to the best of his/her ability. A person will treat others well and try to do everything with perfection. If a person truly understands the word ihsaan, then he/she will do things, like spending money on good things, performing Salah with full sincerity and trying to influence people to do good deeds.
  Ihsaan is very important and this is why the Angel Jibreel asked the Prophets ﷺ about it. There is proof from the Qur’aan and Sunnah that shows the importance and great status Ihsaan has in Islam, such as the following aayah:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ ( سورة النحل : ٩٠ )

Indeed, Allah orders justice and Ihsaan and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will remember. (Soorat an-Nahl:90)

• Allah ﷻ as commands the believers in this verse to do justice and to adhere to Ihsaan in everything they do. This verse emphasizes the importance of all the qualities mentioned here, including Ihsaan. Allah mentions Ihsaan among the great characteristics He wishes Muslims to have.

وَأَنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ( سورة البقرة : ١٩٥ )

“And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” (Soorat al-Baqarah: 195)

• This verse further emphasizes the importance of Ihsaan. Allah ﷻ declares in this verse that He loves those who do Ihsaan. It should be the main objective of every Muslim to gain Allah’s love.
  The emphasis of the Qur’aan and Sunnah on Ihsaan indicates that it is necessary for all Muslims to make Ihsaan a part of their daily lives. They should strive to perform everything they do to perfection. The Hadeeth of Jibreel relates Ihsaan to worship, but Muslims should apply it to everything they do. Ihsaan is related to worship first, because Allah ﷻ is most deserving of His servants’ affection, praise and their efforts to please Him through their good deeds. Muslims should show Ihsaan towards the Prophet ﷺ by trying to imitate his Sunnah perfectly, doing everything he commanded and staying away from all that he prohibited.
  After the Prophet, one’s parents are most deserving of Ihsaan. The status of parents is mentioned in many verses of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. In the verse below, Allah commands that Ihsaan be shown to parents. Thus, it is incumbent on Muslims to treat their parents in the best possible manner.

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا ( سورة الاسراء : ۲۳ )

“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him and to parents good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [as much as] “uff”, and do not repel them, but speak to them a noble word.” (Soorat al-Israa”: 23)

• A Muslim must show Ihsaan towards every other human being and discharge all his/her duties in the best possible manner. As a student, a Mus- lim should show Ihsaan towards his teachers and fellow students and study and work to the best of his/her ability to succeed.
  Muslims should act in the best possible manner in whatever situation they may find themselves. They are commanded to show kindness to all other living beings. Thus, they will be rewarded for treating animals kindly and will be punished for neglecting or abusing them.

What we learn from the lesson:

1. Ihsaan is very important in Islam.
2. All Muslims should try and reach the level of Ihsaan.

“Discussion:”

1. Why Ihsaan is very important in Islam ?