What does Al-ihsan mean?

Islam > Glossary > Al-ihsan

Discover the meaning of the term Al-ihsan (إحسان) in Islamic vocabulary.

Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition Al-ihsan

Al-ihsan according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

It is the realization of servanthood through witnessing the Presence of Lordship by the light of the inner eye, that is, seeing the Truth described by His attributes, with the eye of His attribute; he sees Him with certainty without seeing Him in reality; hence the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "as though you see Him": he sees Him behind the veils of His attributes, without seeing the Reality in reality, for the Most High is the One who calls and attributes to His own description, and this is beneath the station of witnessing, in the station of the spirit.

Al-ihsan according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

In language: doing the good that ought to be done. In the Law: to worship Allah as though you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He sees you.

Al-ihsan according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

In language: doing the good that ought to be done. In the Law: to worship Allah as though you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He sees you.

Al-ihsan according to Mu'jam al-Mustalahat al-Fiqhiyya

In language: doing the good that ought to be done. Ar-Raghib said: derived from al-husn (beauty), which denotes everything delightful and desired; and it is of three kinds, approved by reason,

Al-ihsan according to Maqalid al-'Ulum (As-Suyuti)

Seeking the good (al-husna) in faith and in islam. And Allah knows best.

Al-ihsan according to At-Tawqif (Al-Munawi)

An outward islam upheld by an inward iman.

Al-ihsan according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

The opposite of wrongdoing; and it refers back to ikhlas; and the ihsan of ablution (wudu) is completing it fully according to its etiquettes.

Al-ihsan In the Quran

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ [Surah النحل : 90]

هَلْ جَزَآءُ ٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ إِلَّا ٱلْإِحْسَـٰنُ [Surah الرحمن : 60]

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