By Amatullah Abdullah, Staff Writer

Our religion (Islam) has three significant aspects: Islam, Iman and Ihsan. To attain Iman one needs to accept Islam wholeheartedly. And when we beautify or perfect our Iman, we accomplish Ihsan. When Allah talks about the believers in the Qur'an, He says,
 

"And that Allah is with the believers." (Al Qur'an -8: 19)

But whenever Allah speaks about Ihsan, He says He loves those who achieve Ihsan.

" And practice Ihsan. Truly, Allah loves the doers of Ihsan." (Al Qur'an -2:195)

Also on the authority of Omar, who said:

One day while we were sitting with the messenger of Allah there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the prophet. Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said:"O Muhammad, tell me about Islam". The messenger of Allah said: "Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, to perform the prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so." He said: "You have spoken rightly", and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly. He said: "Then tell me about eman."He said: "It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof." He said: "You have spoken rightly". He said: " Then tell me about ehsan." He said: "It is to worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you". Then he said: "O Omar, do you know who the questioner was?" I said: "Allah and His messenger know best". He said: "He was Jebreel (Gabriel), who came to you to teach you your religion." [ Sahih Muslim - Book 001, Number 0001:]

The purpose of our creation is to worship Allah (swt). Allah says,

"And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)." [Al Qur'an 51:56]

Simile:

To understand Ihsan more clearly, we can use a simile.

Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty. (Muslim)

Allah gave a soul to each one of us. Lets us see this through a simile: If a company provides raw material to someone and asks them to make a quality product, it is obligatory for the one receiving the raw material to make the best product out of this raw material or else he would lose his recompense. If he destroys the raw material, will he be remunerated for that work? Likewise our soul is the raw material. So each one has to strive hard to perfect and beautify the soul. Undoubtedly, one who has purified and titivates their soul will be victorious and those who spoils their souls are indeed losers.

Let us take another example, the mandatory worship, Salah. People pray for three different reasons:

1. Some pray for people to notice them and win their praise.
2. The second category of people pray because of the fear of Hell or desire for Paradise
3. The third sets of people are people who pray for Allah with the intention to please Him i.e. they pray with Ihsan (excellence).

This can be compared to a flower. The first group who pray for the appreciation of others or for the people is compared to an artificial flower. The second group is like a real flower without fragrance and the third group is like a real flower with beautiful fragrance. The difference between a natural flower with a sweet fragrance and artificial flower is like life and lifelessness. Similarly every deed of ours is like this flower. We should try to make a beautiful garland out of these flowers and adorn our souls with it.

When does Allah accept our deeds?

When someone wants to garland us, how do we accept the garland? By bending down, right? Similarly deeds done with humility would be accepted.

Aim of the Mandatory Worship

The pillars of Islam in their spirit and appearance may vary from one another but in aim and purpose, they are very close to each other. Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj and other mandatory forms of worship are catalyst for real perfection. If these forms of worship do not purify the hearts of mankind, if they do not nourish best quality in those who observe them and if they do not improve and build the resolute relationship between Allah and him, then he should resuscitate his intention and the way of performs those acts. If he does not reform himself then he is left with nothing except destruction and devastation.

" Among the desert Arabs there are some who believe in God and the Last Day and look upon their payment as pious gifts bringing them nearer to God and obtaining the prayer of the Apostle. Aye, indeed they bring them closer to Him; soon will Allah admit them into His mercy. For God is Oft Forgiving and Most Merciful." (9:99)

With the help of these acts one must attempt to seek Allah's mercy and love. We need to purify our soul and make it beautiful in turn to emit fresh and sweet fragrance. This fragrance will be overt in two circumstances.

1. When our souls are taken out - the Angels would ask " Who is this sweet smelling soul?"

2. After the questioning in the grave, these deeds will come and stay with us.

(Continued)

© Amatullah Abdullah 2005.

**Amatullah Abdullah is a freelance writer, who resides in Chennai, India. Her essays have been published in India, US, and UK. She holds a bachelor's degree in English literature and is currently working on her master's degree. Amatullah Abdullah is staff writer of One Ummah (http://www.oneummah.net ) and an editorial staff of IQRA Newspaper(www.iqraonline.us) She is also an active member of the Islamic Writers Alliance (www.islamicwritersalliance.net )& Muslim Writers Soictey. She can be reached at: amatullah110@yahoo.com. To read more of her works visit: http://writerinislam.blogspot.com

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