Iman, Islam and Ihsan... It is in Hadith - (Bukhari) narrated Abu Huraira (RU) - One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (the angel) Gabriel came and sat, folding his knees like a student sits in front of a teacher and asked, What is faith? Allahs Apostle (SAWS) replied, Faith is to believe in Allah (SWT), His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection. Then he further asked, What is Islam? Allahs Apostle (SAWS) replied, To worship Allah (SWT) alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan. Then he further asked, What is Ihsan (Tasawwuf)? Allahs Apostle replied, To worship Allah (SWT) as if you see Him, and if you cannot see him then you must consider that He is looking at you. Then he further asked, When will the Hour (the Day of Judgment) be established? Allahs Apostle (SAWS) replied, The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents. (i) When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master. (ii) When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAWS) then recited: Verily, with Allah (alone) is the knowledge of the Hour--. (Luqman - 34). Then the person (Hazrat Gabriel -AS) left and the Prophet (SAWS) asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Then the Prophet (SAWS) said, That was Gabriel (AS) who came to teach the people their religion. The above Hadith clarifies three distinct stages in Islam, ie, (i) Faith in Heart (Iman), (ii) Deeds by limbs (Islam) and (iii) Complete attention towards Allah (SWT) / Tasawwuf (Ihsan).
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 15:26:35 +0000
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