Ihsan
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Ihsan (or Ehsan or Ahsan or احسان) is an Arabic term meaning "perfection" or "excellence." 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, and although they cannot see Him, they undoubtedly believe he is constantly watching over them. That definition comes from the hadith in which Muhammad states, "[Ihsan is] to worship God as though you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, then indeed He sees you." (Al-Bukhari and Al-Muslim).[citation needed]
The concept of Ihsan has been understood differently by various Islamic scholars. For example, some scholars explain Ihsan as being the "inner-dimension" of Islam whereas shariah is often described as the "outer-dimension".[citation needed] Ihsan is excellence in worship, work, and in social interactions. For example, ihsan includes sincerity during Muslim prayers and being grateful to parents, family, and God.
Ehsan or Ihsan is also a boys name in some Muslim countries (e.g. I.R. Pakistan).
[edit] Sufi Term
Sufis have divided Ihsan into two parts
- Muraqaba i.e. to worship with the thought that God is seeing us.
- Mushahada i.e. to worship God as if we see Him.
[edit] External links
- Hadith of Angel Gabriel Hadith #2 from An-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths
- Ihsan – the Gnostic Knowledge of Mankind
- [1]
- Concept of Ihsan in the Quran
