{And spend of your substance in
the way of Allah – and make not
your own hands contribute to
your destruction - And practice
Ihsan, Allah loves those who
practice Ihsan.} (Al-Baqarah
2:195)
Ihsan also ehsan or ahsan is an
Arabic term meaning
"perfection" or "excellence,"
which is related to the word
"goodness" (Arabic. husn).
It is a matter of taking one's
inner faith (Iman) and showing it
in both deed and action, a sense
of social responsibility borne
from religious convictions.
In Islam, Ihsan is the Muslim
responsibility to obtain
perfection, or excellence in
worship, such that Muslims try to
worship God (Arabic Allah) as if
they see Him (as if they are in His
presence), and although they
cannot see Him (due to the belief
that Allah is not made of
materials), they undoubtedly
believe that He is constantly
watching over them and aware
of everything that is done,
thought and verbalised.
That definition comes from the
Hadith (known as the Hadith of
Gabriel/Jibreel ) in which Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
states,
"[Ihsan is] to worship Almighty
Allah as though you see Him, and
if you cannot see Him, then
indeed He sees you." (Al-Bukhari
and Muslim).
Ihsan, also meaning "to do
beautiful and righteous things,"
is one of the three dimensions of
the Islamic religion (Arabic. ad-
din): Islam, Iman and Ihsan.
In contrast to the emphases of
Islam (the outer expression and
exterior acts of worship or what
one should do) and Iman (why
one should do), the concept of
Ihsan is primarily associated with
absolute intention.
One who "does what is beautiful
and righteous” is called a Muhsin.
It is generally held that a person
can only achieve true Ihsan with
the help and guidance of
Almighty Allah, who governs all
things. - Some Islamic scholars
explain Ihsan as being the inner
dimension of Islam whereas
Shariah is often described as the
outer dimension:
Ihsan then means striving to
reach the best standards of
performance in any
circumstances or situations. It
represents excellence,
graciousness and benevolence.
While ‘Adl (fairness and justice)
requires satisfactory
performance of one’s obligations
to others and fulfilling the rights
of others on oneself, Ihsan
suggests doing more than that
which a person is obligated to
do and giving more to others
than what they are entitled to.
Thus, while ‘Adl ensures peace
and security of human society,
Ihsan makes it loving and caring
and adds beauty to it.
It is the single most
distinguishing feature that raises
a human society above any other
creations of Allah and makes
Allah Almighty oud of humanity.
That is why Allah has mentioned
the following in five different
verses of the Holy Qur'an:
{Allah loves those who practice
Ihsan.} (Al-Baqarah 2:195), (Al-`
Imran 3:134, 148), (Al-Ma’idah
5:13, 93).
Like ‘Adl, Ihsan is a
comprehensive concept that
covers all human affairs whether
it is about one’s relationship with
Allah, interactions with people or
fulfilling social obligations.
When it is applied to one’s
relationship with Allah, it
represents excellence in
servitude to Allah so that a
person performs his servitude to
Allah as if Allah is right in front of
him keenly observing his
performance.
Naturally, when we perform in
this world with a consciousness
that we are being observed by
Allah , our performance is going
to be the most sincere and the
most excellent just as people
perform better when they are
being watched by those in
whose good books they want to
be in e.g. a supervisor /manager
or best friend. When The
Messenger of Allah was asked
what is Ihsan, he responded:
“You fear Allah as if you are
seeing Him, even if you cannot
see Him, He is watching you”.
Reported by Abu Hurayrah in
Bukhari and Muslim.
When it is about people, it
represents benevolence towards
people and graciousness in
dealings.

The most important is this respect is Ihsan towards one’s
parents.
{We have enjoined on man to behave with his parents with
Ihsan.} (Al-Ahqaf 46:15)
While dealing with other people,
the most important aspects of
Ihsan are giving, showing love,patience and forgiveness:
{Those who spend (in the way
of Allah) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress their anger and who forgive people;
and Allah loves the Muhsineen (those who practice Ihsan)}. (Al `Imran 3:134)
{So, forgive them and overlook (their offensive behaviour), verily,
Allah loves the Muhsineen .} (Al-Ma’idah 5:13) {Indeed, who maintains Taqwah and remains
patient and steadfast, Allah does not let those who practice Ihsan
lose their reward.} (Yusuf 12:90).
It applies to what we say as well:
{And say to my slaves that they should utter only what is the best.(Ahsan)} (Al- Israa` 17:53).
Once the Messenger of Allah asked his companions:
“Should I guide you to the qualities, because of which, Allah raises people’s ranks?” On
affirmative response, he 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 Saamit in Targheeb wa Tarheb with reference to At-Tabarani)
The same message was
conveyed, among other things, in the following Hadith: The
Messenger of Allah said,
“My Lord has commanded me nine qualities: 1. Fearing Allah
both secretly and openly; 2. Saying only the words of justice
both when angry and when happy; 3. Maintaining
moderation both during poverty and affluence; 4. Making up (social obligations and relationships) with a relative who shirks his obligation to me or
breaks away from me; 5. Giving even to the person who deprives me; 6. Forgiving him who is
unjust to me; 7. Reflecting when I am quiet; remembering Allah
when I speak; and, learning lessons from what I see, 8. Enjoining good; and, 9. Forbidding evil.” (Abu Hurayrah
in Mishkaatul Masaabeeh)
Normally, responding to negative behaviour in the best manner
and practicing Ihsan consistently as mentioned in the verses and Ahadith given above, results in
winning the hearts of those who are treated with Ihsan.
So much so that it has the
potential of converting enemies into loving friends, as stated in
the following verse:
{Good (Hashanah) and evil are not equal. Respond in a way that
is the best. Then, he between whom and you was enmity will
become as if he was a close friend.} (Fussilat 41:34).
Sometimes, however, a person
practicing Ihsan may not
individually witness the benefits of his best practices. In such
situations, a sincere believer may feel discouraged, used, or broken hearted. Allah SWT assures them
that:
{Verily, Allah does not let the Muhsineen (those who practice Ihsan) lose their reward.} (At-
Taubah 9:120), (Hud 11:115),
(Yusuf 12:56, 12:90). {We do not let the reward of one who
performs in the most excellent (Ahsana) manner be lost .” Al-Kahf
18:30 - He also assured: “Allah is with those who have Taqwah and practice Ihsan .} (An-Nahl
16:128) {Allah’s Mercy is near those who practice Ihsan.} (Al- A’raf 7:56)
{Yes indeed, who turns his face submissively toward Allah and he
practices excellence (Ihsan), his reward is with his Lord .} (Al- Baqarah 2:112) {For those who
perform excellently (Ahsanul Husna) is the best (reward) and
even more .} (Yunus 10:26)
Hence, Allah expects us to
perform in the best possible way
that we can:
{Who can be better in religion than one who submits totally to
Allah in submission and practices Ihsan.} (An-Nisa` 4:125)
{And Practice Ihsan, Allah loves those who practice Ihsan .} (Al- Baqarah 2:195)
And finally, the rewards Allah has promised to those who practice
Ihsan are also the best. For example:
{Is the reward for excellence other than (Ihsan) excellent.} (Ar-
Rahman 55:60)
{To reward those who do their best with what is the best .
(Ahsanu Bil Husna)} (An-Najm
53:31)
References
Taken with slight editorial modifications from: http://users.iafrica.com/n/ns/nsalie/
concept_of_ihsaan.htm

very concise and informative.jazakallahu khairan . may Allah s.w.t record this ^ in your book of deeds and may He grant us the ability to perform our deeds with ihsan.
A very beautiful reminder.

Mashallah!. well compiled. Jazakallahu khyran

jiddama:
very concise and informative.jazakallahu khairan . may Allah s.w.t record this ^ in your book of deeds and may He grant us the ability to perform our deeds with ihsan.
A very beautiful reminder.

Empiree:
Mashallah!. well compiled. Jazakallahu khyran

^^
Aamiin. Wa iyyakum.