Ihsan — worship as if you see God · The essentials of Islam

In a minute

In the Hadith of Jibril, after asking about Islam (the pillars) and Iman (the articles of faith), the stranger asked a third question: what is Ihsan? The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) answered: to worship God as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, know that He sees you (paraphrased; Sahih Muslim 8, Sahih al-Bukhari 50). Ihsan is the heart of the religion: doing everything, prayer, work, kindness, with the beauty and care of someone who knows God is present.

What it is and how it's lived

In worship: praying with presence and humility (khushu'), not just the right movements.
With people: answering harm with good, keeping promises, being gentle with parents, neighbours, guests and strangers.
In work: doing a job well even when nobody checks. Islamic art and architecture, with geometry hidden in places no visitor will ever look closely, are often described as ihsan in stone and tile.
With animals and the earth: the Prophet said God has prescribed ihsan, excellence, in everything, even in how an animal is slaughtered: sharpen the blade, and spare the animal distress (paraphrased; Sahih Muslim 1955).

The inner path of purifying the heart (tazkiyah), sometimes called tasawwuf or Sufism, grew up around this third level of the religion.

Its inner meaning

The pillars shape the body's life; the articles of faith shape the mind's. Ihsan shapes the heart. It turns duty into love and rule-keeping into beauty. A simple test of ihsan: would I do it this way if I could see God watching? Muslims believe He is.

Key verses

"Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed." (Qur'an 16:90, Pickthall)

"Kindness" here translates al-ihsan.

"and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent." (Qur'an 2:195, Pickthall)

"Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness?" (Qur'an 55:60, Pickthall)

Arabic (55:60): هَلْ جَزَآءُ ٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ إِلَّا ٱلْإِحْسَٰنُ

"Nay, but whosoever surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good, his reward is with his Lord;" (Qur'an 2:112, Pickthall)

From the Prophet (peace be upon him)

God has prescribed excellence in all things (paraphrased; Sahih Muslim 1955).
Actions are judged by their intentions, and each person will have what they intended (paraphrased; Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907).

Reflection

What is one ordinary task, washing up, homework, a message to a friend, that you could do today with ihsan?

In the other traditions

Judaism: "I have set the LORD always before me" (Psalm 16:8) is often placed in synagogues to remind worshippers of God's presence; hiddur mitzvah means beautifying a commandment.
Christianity: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23); the practice of the presence of God is a long Christian tradition.

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