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.(I pray we should all be in this category)Ameen summa Amin.
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.

Jumma'at kareem my fellow brothers and sisters

Nice write up but it is wrong to write that the hadith on Ihsan requires us 'to see' Allah. It does not. It only teaches us to worship Allah as if we can see him. Furthermore, as it is impossible for us to see Allah (in this world), we should know that he sees us and always be conscious of Him and his regulations.

maclatunji: Nice write up but it is wrong to write that the hadith on Ihsan requires us 'to see' Allah. It does not. It only teaches us to worship Allah as if we can see him. Furthermore, as it is impossible for us to see Allah (in this world), we should know that he sees us and always be conscious of Him and his regulations.

. Thnks for your observatio bro, it was realy a mistake it was suppose to be exactly as you jst corrected it and I only get to knw after I posted it. But I don't know if you could help me so that I can correct it.(Thanks a lot once more)