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A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.

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Ihsan (spiritual excellence).

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Ihsan encompasses two primary aspects.

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The first is Ihsan in worship.

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This is the highest rank of worship.

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As the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated,

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when Jibril, peace be upon him, asked him about Ihsan:

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"It is to worship Allah as if you see Him,

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for even if you do not see Him, He sees you."

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Agreed upon.

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He asked him this after having asked him about Islam and Iman (faith).

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The second is Ihsan toward creation.

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This includes the words of Allah the Exalted:

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“Those who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loveth the good;” (3:134)

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"And Allah loves the doers of good."

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The perfection of Ihsan lies in fulfilling both matters together:

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Ihsan in the worship of the Creator,

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and Ihsan in one's dealings with creation.

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Both matters are combined in the words of Allah the Exalted:

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"And do not cause corruption upon the earth after its reformation,

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and call upon Him in fear and aspiration;

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indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good."

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For His saying,

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"And do not cause corruption upon the earth after its reformation,"

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indicates Ihsan in one's dealings with creation,

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while His saying,

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"and call upon Him in fear and aspiration,"

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indicates Ihsan in the worship of Allah the Exalted.

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The verse then makes the attainment of both matters a condition for

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receiving the mercy of Allah the Exalted:

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"Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good."

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Thus, the more excellent a servant is in their Ihsan,

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the closer they are to the mercy of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

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In this lies an encouragement toward Ihsan

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that is clearly evident.