What is the difference between faith, Islam, and Ihsan?
ما الفرق بين الايمان والإسلام والإحسان؟
As mentioned in the famous Hadith of Jibril (peace be upon him) when he asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the religion: these ranks are structured from the lowest to the highest. The first rank is Islam: higher than Islam is Faith (Iman): and higher than Faith is Ihsan (Goodness).
كما جاء في حديث جبريل عليه السلام حين سأل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عن مراتب الدين: وقد ذكرها متدرجة مبتدئاً بالأدنى ثم الأعلى. المرتبة الأولى الإسلام: وأعلى منها الإيمان: وأعلى من الإيمان الإحسان.
The Three Ranks of Religion | مراتب الدين الثلاث
1. The First Rank: Islam (Submission)
Islam represents the apparent acts such as: a testimony that there is no deity but Allah and that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah: prayers: Zakat: Fast: and Pilgrimage and all other physical actions. In Islamic terminology: it is surrendering to Allah the Almighty with man's heart and being submissive to Him in obedience.
1. المرتبة الأولى: الإسلام
الإسلام هو عبارة عن الأعمال الظاهرة: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمداً رسول الله والصلاة والزكاة والصوم وحج البيت وسائر أعمال الجوارح. وفي الاصطلاح الشرعي: الاستسلام لله بالقلب والانقياد له بالطاعة.
2. The Higher Rank: Faith (Iman)
Linguistically: Iman is Believing. In Islamic terminology: it is words said with the tongue and actions done with the limbs. It increases by obedience and decreases by sins.
(Some of the nomadic Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, O Prophet, “You have not believed. But say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger wholeheartedly...) [Al-Hujurat 49:14]
2. المرتبة الثانية: الإيمان
الإيمان في اللغة: التصديق. وفي الاصطلاح الشرعي: هو قول باللسان وعمل بالأركان: يزيد بالطاعة وينقص بالمعصية.
(قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا ۖ قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَـٰكِن قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُطِيعُوا اللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُ...) [الحجرات 49: 14]
3. The Highest Rank: Ihsan (Goodness)
Linguistically: it is the opposite of abuse. As a term: is to worship the Creator as if you see Him: and if you do not see Him: Allah sees you.
(Indeed, Allah commands justice, grace, as well as courtesy to close relatives. He forbids indecency, wickedness, and aggression. He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful.) [An-Nahl 16:90]
3. المرتبة الثالثة: الإحسان
الإحسان لغة: هو ضد الإساءة. وفي الاصطلاح: هو عبادة الخالق كأنك تراه فإن لم تره فإن الله يراك.
(إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ) [النحل 16: 90]
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What are the three ranks of the religion from lowest to highest?
According to the Hadith of Jibril: the ranks begin with Islam (submission) as the lowest: followed by Faith (Iman) which is higher: and culminate in Ihsan (Goodness/Excellence) as the highest rank.
How is Faith (Iman) defined in Islamic terminology?
In Islamic terminology: Faith is defined as words said with the tongue and actions done with the limbs. It is dynamic: meaning it increases through obedience to Allah and decreases through committing sins.
What does it mean to reach the level of Ihsan (Goodness)?
To achieve Ihsan means to worship the Creator as if you see Him directly. Furthermore: it includes the deep awareness that even if you do not see Him: you know with certainty that Allah sees you.